Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for The Buccaneer

The Buccaneer

Seen it?

1958 | 119 min | Adventure, Drama, War, History

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for adventure fans and history buffs. If you loved Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World or The Longest Day, start here.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 59 min.
What might put you off
Made in 1958: an older pace and style.

During the War of 1812 against Britain: General Andrew Jackson has only 1,200 men left to defend New Orleans when he learns that a British fleet will arrive with 60 ships and 16,000 men to take the city. In this situation an island near the city becomes strategically important to both parties, but it's inhabited by the last big buccaneer: Jean Lafitte. Although Lafitte never attacks American ships, the governor hates him for selling merchandise without taxes - and is loved by the citizens for the same reason. When the big fight gets nearer, Lafitte is drawn between the fronts. His heart belongs to America, but his people urge him to join the party that's more likely to win.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 37K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Anthony Quinn

  • Yul BrynnerJean Lafitte
  • Claire BloomBonnie Brown
  • Charles BoyerDominique You
  • Inger StevensAnnette Claiborne
  • Charlton HestonGen. Andrew Jackson
  • Henry HullEzra Peavey
  • Lorne GreeneMercier
  • E.G. MarshallGov. William Claiborne
  • Ted de CorsiaCapt. Rumbo
  • Douglass DumbrilleCollector of the Port