Loosely inspired by the time-honored Disney theme-park ride, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL is a swashbuckling high-seas tale directed by Gore Verbinski. When Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), an eccentric rogue, arrives at Port Royal, he barely avoids going down with his ship. Soon enough, he's in the market for a new one, but not before he saves the life of Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the beautiful daughter of the governor (Jonathan Pryce). This act of bravery sets into motion a sweeping adventure involving Elizabeth's childhood friend, blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom); a mysterious medallion; and a legendary pirate ship, the Black Pearl. The Pearl's mottled Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) wants Elizabeth's doubloon necklace, and when she's kidnapped by the ol' salty dog and his crew, Sparrow and young Will must rescue her and find out the truth behind the ship's curse.

Verbinski's PIRATES is a welcome throwback to Hollywood offerings of yesteryear, filled with rope-swinging heroes, crusty villains, treasure hoards, swift swordplay, and even wittier wordplay. Screenwriters Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott have crafted one of the most clever action-movie scripts in many moons, and this gives the filmmakers and cast (especially Depp) plenty of room to cut loose. Although the skeletal pirates may be a bit frightening for small children, there's lots of humor to temper the scary moments, making PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL a nearly flawless fun film.

Theatrical Release: JULY 9, 2003

Distributor Notes: Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer (PEARL HARBOR) comes PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, the thrilling high-seas adventure with a mysterious twist. The roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow's (Academy Award(R) Nominee Johnny Depp) idyllic pirate life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and later attacks the town of Port Royal, kidnapping the governor's beautiful daughter Elizabeth (Keira Knightley). In a gallant attempt to rescue her and recapture the Black Pearl, Elizabeth's childhood friend Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) joins forces with Jack. What Will doesn't know is that a cursed treasure has doomed Barbossa and his crew to live forever as the undead. Rich in suspense-filled adventure, sword-clashing action, mystery, humor, unforgettable characters, and never-before-seen special effects, PIRATES is a must-have epic on the grandest scale ever.

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Johnny Depp: American Actor - SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STR
Orlando Bloom: Actor, LORD OF THE RINGS (2001)
Keira Knightley: Actress, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM (2002)
Geoffrey Rush: Australian Actor, QUILLS (2000)
Jonathan Pryce: British Actor/Miss Saigon
Jack Davenport: British actor, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, SWINGTOWN
Mackenzie Crook: British Actor
Lee Arenberg: 
Zoe Saldana: Actress

Gore Verbinski: 

Jerry Bruckheimer: Producer

Terry Rossio: Screenwriter, SHREK
Ted Elliott: Screenwriter, SHREK

Klaus Badelt: Musical Composer/Performer

Stephen E. Rivkin: Editor, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST (2006)
Craig Wood: Editor, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEA
Arthur Schmidt: Editor, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEA

"...It's ornate and breathless..."
"...An often frenetic, colorful and enchanting comic adventure....The dazzling, high-flying silliness is quite an achievement..."
"...A big-budget popcorn movie that delivers what moviegoers hunger for: humor, action, thrills and charismatic characters..."
"...[Depp's] performance is original in every atom..."
"...[With] disarming humor, engaging acting and colorful action bursts..."
"...Depp swans through this swashbuckler with a scene-stealing gusto unseen since Marlon Brando in MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY..."
"...Depp casts a spell every bit as powerful as any demonic bullion..."
"..The most satisfying of this summer's blockbusters....Lively, humorous and well-cast..."
"...The swashbuckling smash stars a hysterical Johnny Depp..."
"[Depp's] dippy delivery gives Gore Verbinski's pirate swashbuckler its gleeful sense of salty swish."