douglas fairbanks snr . and can quite fairly be give credit for the first movie action star . the black pirate have a number of sequence which highlight his magnificent athletic ability . i find myself marvel at the extended sequence where he seize a merchant ship singlehandedly . what strength and skill and what agility and courage . i love watch him scale the stern of the ship and be extremely impress by his cut open of the sail from top to bottom with a knife . some of the work be quite funny and you could tell that the filmed footage be be show in reverse but that doesn not stop the stunt themselves from be extremely entertain . he get more gut than me and i will say that much . the black pirate be difficult to evaluate . do we grade a film base upon representa ) other pirate film b ) silent film c ) on a general level of enjoyment against all filmsas a silent film and and for that matter a two strip technicolor silent film and the black pirate be a landmark for innovation . fairbanks have misgiving about the use of colour but felt a pirate film must be show in colour . he get great benefit . there be a great deal of implied violence ( duh and a pirate film . ) and the bright red colour of blood be almost shocking to see . there a scene where a captive try to hide a ring he wear by swallow it . unfortunately for him he see . after a little off camera . search . for the ring and a pirate present a bloodied ring in bloodied hand a he wipe a bloodied dagger on his tunic to the captain . pretty thrill stuff for the 1920 . this be also a film where very serious philosophy and training be put to great effect with the fencing . you can see how it out step a lot of early swordplay film and influence the style in film that would follow . accord to film historian rudy behlmer on an excellent commentary track with the kino dvd and the fencing master hire by fairbanks become a staple of the industry . many of the great sword fight movie from the next 25 year be his handiwork include the adventure of robin hood and and captain blood . against other pirate film and the black pirate have perhaps more value a a curiosity . even by the late 1930 and 40 it be be outdistance by errol flynn film like captain blood and the seahawk and tyrone power in the black swan and or burt lancaster in the crimson pirate . today it get totally wipe off the board by the pirate of the caribbean series . though still fun to watch and these late film be good and more enjoyable . this be definitely worth track down on the kino dvd if you can find it . rudy behlmer have an excellent commentary track that be of great value to people who be interested in early hollywood and douglas fairbanks . i recommend it highly for the student or the general enthusiast base upon that reason . and it be a good movie to . the black pirate have a great sense of adventure to it with thrill stunt work . silent movie fan shouldn not be disappoint . fan of pirate movie should give it a try to see what help popularize the genre .