Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a movie of adventure and romance set in the Caribbean during the seventeenth century. It is based on the Pirates of the Caribbean rides at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. This movie stars Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, and Jack Davenport. It is directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.
It was released on July 9, 2003. As of March 16, 2004, it had grossed at the box office more than $653 million worldwide; the 21st highest grossing movie ever. It proved to be a success for Walt Disney Pictures and within weeks of release they announced a sequel was in development, Pirates of the Caribbean 2, slated for release in 2005/6.
When production for the film was first announced in early 2002, movie fans and critics were skeptical of its chances of being a success. The concept of Disney basing a movie upon one of its own theme park rides seemed to many a crass marketing ploy. Critics were pleasantly surprised to find the film an enjoyable swashbuckler. However, the poor reception received by other Disney films based upon its theme park rides (The Country Bears , The Haunted Mansion) suggested that the success of Pirates of the Caribbean was an exception and not the rule.
It was believed that the movie was partially inspired from Monkey Island, and similarities have been drawn between Barbossa and LeChuck. Most hold that this is coincidental, since both are inspired from the theme ride. On the other hand, it is still believed that the makers have put intentional references from the games as a tribute.
Tagline: Prepare to be blown out of the water.
== Plot ==
Legend tells of a pirate ship, a ship called the Black Pearl. It sails the clear blue waters of the Caribbean leaving in its wake death, ruin, and suffering. For ten years it has tortured the people of the islands. It has tattered black sails and is crewed by the damned and captained by the terrible Captain Barbossa. There is a curse upon the sailors of the Black Pearl, a curse that can only be broken if every piece of gold from a plundered Aztec chest is restored and the blood repaid. When the Black Pearl attacks Port Royal, Jamaica and takes the governor's daughter, Elizabeth Swann captive, her childhood friend Will Turner allies himself with roguish Captain Jack Sparrow, the former captain of the Black Pearl. Together they plan to save Elizabeth and recapture the Black Pearl.
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Script
Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (Shrek, The Mask of Zorro) and others created a script noted for its witty lines and challenge-response jokes. Two examples:
- Barbossa: There are a lot of long words in there, Miss; we're naught but humble pirates. What is it that you want?
- His supposed dislike of long words is contradicted a few lines later by him saying:
- His supposed dislike of long words is contradicted a few lines later by him saying:
- Barbossa: I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means "no".
- This suggests to the audience that if he lied about the long words, maybe they aren't "but humble pirates" either.
- Norrington: You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of.
- Jack: But you have heard of me.
The wordplay was well suited to both Geoffrey Rush's and especially Johnny Depp's unusual style and worked well throughout the film. The script is available here (popup warning).
There are also several references to Monkey Island.
Cast
- Johnny Depp .... Captain Jack Sparrow
- Geoffrey Rush .... Captain Barbossa
- Orlando Bloom .... Will Turner
- Keira Knightley .... Elizabeth Swann
- Jack Davenport .... Commodore James Norrington
- Jonathan Pryce .... Governor Weatherby Swann
- Lee Arenberg .... Pintel
- Mackenzie Crook .... Ragetti
- Damian O'Hare .... Lt. Gillette
- Giles New .... Murtogg
- Angus Barnett .... Mullroy
- David Bailie .... Cotton
- Michael Berry Jr. .... Twigg
- Isaac C. Singleton Jr. .... Bo'sun
- Kevin R. McNally .... Joshamee Gibbs
- Treva Etienne .... Koehler
- Zoe Saldana .... Anamaria
In interviews, Johnny Depp stated that he had based his persona for Captain Jack Sparrow upon legendary guitarist Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, with some influence from cartoon character Pepe Le Pew.
The Black Pearl exists and is a real ship, one of the last surviving wooden schooners. It can be found in Ta' Xbiex, Malta.
Sequels
Awards
All awards are from 2004, unless otherwise noted.
Academy Awards
- Nominee, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Johnny Depp
- Nominee, Best Makeup, Ve Neill , Martin Samuel
- Nominee, Best Sound, Christopher Boyes , David Parker , David E. Campbell , Lee Orloff
- Nominee, Best Sound Editing, Christopher Boyes , George Watters II
- Nominee, Best Visual Effects, John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel , Charles Gibson, Terry D. Frazee
Art Directors Guild
- Nominee, Excellence in Production Design Award, Feature Film - Period or Fantasy Film, Brian Morris
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
- Winner, Top Box Office Films, Klaus Badelt
BAFTA Awards
- Winner, Best Make Up/Hair, Ve Neill , Martin Samuel
- Nominee, Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects, John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel , Terry D. Frazee , Charles Gibson
- Nominee, Best Costume Design, Penny Rose
- Nominee, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Johnny Depp
- Nominee, Best Sound, Christopher Boyes , George Watters II , Lee Orloff , David Parker , David E. Campbell
Golden Globes
- Nominee, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, Johnny Depp
The Eddies , American Cinema Editors, USA
- Winner, Best Edited Feature Film - Comedy or Musical, Craig Wood, Stephen E. Rivkin , Arthur Schmidt
Saturn Awards, Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films , USA
- Winner, Cinescape Genre Face of the Future Award, Female, Keira Knightley
- Nominee, Best Actor, Johnny Depp
- Nominee, Best Costume, Penny Rose
- Nominee, Best DVD Special Edition Release
- Nominee, Best Director, Gore Verbinski
- Nominee, Best Fantasy Film
- Nominee, Best Make Up, Ve Neill , Martin Samuel
- Nominee, Best Music, Klaus Badelt
- Nominee, Best Special Effects, John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel , Terry D. Frazee , Charles Gibson
- Nominee, Best Supporting Actor, Geoffrey Rush
- Nominee, Best Supporting Actress, Keira Knightley
Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Winner, Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role, Johnny Depp
External links
Fan sites
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