The Black Swan

1942

The Black Swan

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

80%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 5

73%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,349

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Movie Info

Perhaps unintentionally, the 1942 Technicolor swashbuckler The Black Swan is a bondage fetishist's dream, with hero and heroine Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara taking turns being tied up and imprisoned throughout the film's brisk 85-minute running time. Very loosely adapted by Ben Hecht and Seton I. Miller from a novel by Rafael Sabatini, the film casts Power as rogueish, hot-tempered buccaneer Jamie Waring, who considers the day wasted when he hasn't sacked a Spanish galleon or plundered a rich coastal town. Jamie's partner in crime is pirate king Henry Morgan Laird Cregar, an alliance that comes to an end when Morgan is appointed governor of Jamaica. Disgusted by this defection, Jamie considers joining the scurrilous Redbeard George Sanders, but eventually decides to reform his ways when he falls in love with Margaret Denby Maureen O'Hara, the gorgeous daughter of the former Jamaican governor Lord Denby George Zucco. Before the final obligatory sail into the sunset, however, Margaret is kidnapped and manhandled on a seemingly hourly basis, while Jamie is subjected to even more abuse at the hands of pirates and officials alike. Henry King handles the derring-do in Black Swan with commendable sobriety, leaving the story's tongue-in-cheek elements in the capable hands of the cast and the screenwriters.

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Cast

Tyrone Power
as James Waring
Maureen O'Hara
as Margaret Denby
Laird Cregar
as Capt. Henry Morgan
Thomas Mitchell
as Tommy Blue
George Sanders
as Capt. Billy Leech
Anthony Quinn
as Wogan
George Zucco
as Lord Denby
Edward Ashley
as Roger Ingram
Fortunio Bonanova
as Don Miguel
Stuart Robertson
as Capt. Graham
Charles McNaughton
as Fenner
Frederic Worlock
as Speaker
Willie Fung
as Chinese Cook
Charles Francis
as Higgs
Arthur Shields
as Bishop
Keith Hitchcock
as Majordomo
John Burton
as Capt. Blaine
Cyril McLaglen
as Capt. Jones
Clarence Muse
as Daniel
Olaf Hytten
as Clerk
Charles Irwin
as Sea Captain
David Thursby
as Sea Captain
Frank Leigh
as Sea Captain
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Critic Reviews for The Black Swan

All Critics (5)

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Audience Reviews for The Black Swan

  • Sep 05, 2014
    Lightsabers? They're only a reflection, an update, but a sure marker of one of the oldest and surest of entertainment outings: the adventure tale. And what could be more thrilling than a knife fight? What about if ya give 'em big knives? And lo, the swashbuckler is born. In this one Tyrone Power (the weakest link here, w/o the dash the role requires), a common, drunken pirate, battles for the reluctant heart of Maureen O'Hara, a fancy Miss Pris lady against a whole slew of dirty, pirating types. George Sanders (the best thing in the movie), Anthony Quinn and Thomas Mitchell lend able, reliable yet unsung support. Big-time old school fun.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • May 06, 2011
    I'm told that this is a classic!
    Sean G Super Reviewer
  • Feb 11, 2011
    In 1942, The Black Swan was probably the greatest thing ever. I'm sure I would've gone to see it every night of the week if I saw this movie nearly 70 years ago. But since that's not the case and I recently saw the superior Adventures of Robin Hood, The Black Swan is merely just okay. The opening is pretty strong and the back and forth between Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara (if I had to narrow it down for only one reason for anyone to see this movie it would be her beautiful bitchiness) was fun. Throw in the rest of the cast and some fun action and its worth the watch.
    Michael G Super Reviewer
  • Sep 05, 2010
    This is one of my favourite pirate movies. It has it all, action, adventure, excitement, drama, romance, even a bit of humour. I loved it.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
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