The Pirates of Penzance
Seen it?1994 | 148 min | Romance, Adventure, Comedy
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It's still drawing plenty of interest, though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for people who'll be humming afterwards and anyone in the mood for a love story. The music is woven into the story, not just laid on top. Sits nicely alongside How to Marry a Millionaire.
- The mood
- Light and funny, romantic.
- The pace
- Light on its feet, at 2 hr 28 min.
- What might put you off
- Skip it if romance makes you roll your eyes.
As a young child, Frederic had been apprenticed to a pirate by mistake when he should have been apprenticed to a pilot. Now, having reached his 21st year, Frederic's indentures are at last over and he happily leaves the service of the pirates. When Frederic meets the beautiful Mabel, one of the many daughters (or wards in Chancery) of Major-General Stanley, they fall in love and decide to marry. However, complications arise when the pirates decide to marry the rest of the Major-General's daughters, themselves - and Frederic's birthdate turns out to be not all it seems. Esgee Productions' live taping starring Australian singer-songwriter Jon English.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
Awards data unavailable, so this isn't counted
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 278K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
Muppet Treasure Island Sunday Safe BetAnother musical adventure, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Aladdin Sunday Safe BetAnother musical adventure, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
How to Marry a Millionaire
Saturday SpecialAnother musical romantic comedy that's easy to miss.
Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy!
Weeknight WatchAnother pirate comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Pirates
Monday Morning MaybeAnother pirate adventure. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Craig Schaefer, Peter Butler
- Jon EnglishThe Pirate King
- Simon GallaherFrederic
- Helen DonaldsonMabel Stanley
- Toni LamondRuth
- Derek MetzgerMajor-General Stanley
- Tim TylerThe Police Sergeant
- Susie FrenchEdith (The Fabulous Singlettes)
- Melissa LangtonKate (The Fabulous Singlettes)
- Anna ButeraIsabel (The Fabulous Singlettes)
- Marc JamesSamuel