In the first film, they serve aboard the "Black Pearl" as cursed pirates doomed to turn into skeletons under the moonlight. They were part of the crew who mutinied against Jack Sparrow before the events of the film. When the crew of the "Pearl" attack Port Royal, Pintel and Ragetti capture Elizabeth Swann, discovering she has the golden medallion they are searching for, and take her to Barbossa. Later, on Isla de Muerta, when the pirates learn that Elizabeth is not the original owner of the medallion, Pintel and Ragetti are the first two to be blamed for bringing the wrong person, until blame is quickly shifted to Barbossa. They play a part in the battle between the "Pearl" and the "Interceptor", which results in the capture of all those on board, including Elizabeth, Jack Sparrow, and Will Turner, the owner of the medallion. This results in Jack and Elizabeth being stranded on a deserted island. On their way to Isla de Muerta, Pintel and Ragetti relay the story of Will's father, Bootstrap Bill Turner, to him. When they reach Isla de Muerta, the pirates soon learn that Jack has somehow escaped the island and gotten to Isla de Muerta, and makes a deal with Barbossa to attack the "Dauntless" rather than lift the curse immediately. Pintel and Ragetti are forced to distract the soldiers waiting outside the cave by dressing as women to lure their attention. When the pirates attack the "Dauntless", Pintel and Ragetti join them, only for the curse to be lifted and for them to be captured by the Navy.