DVD Corner

The Spanish Main Blu-ray Review

Good performances can’t salvage an underwhelming story. 

Penned by George Worthing Yates and Herman J. Mankiewicz, 1945’s “The Spanish Main” is a swashbuckling adventure film. The tale begins with Captain Laurent Van Horn’s ship of Dutch immigrants crashing near Cartagena. The Captain wants an audience with Viceroy Don Juan Alvarado which does not go well. The Viceroy imprisons the Captain and sentences him to death, but he escapes. 5 years pass and the Viceroy is preparing the arrival of a bride (Francisca). Francisca, however, ends up being kidnapped by the pirate Barracuda (which is also the name of his ship). What follows is a series of adventures involving a pirate mutiny, romance, and the vile Viceroy attempting to get back his would-be wife. 

Directed by prolific filmmaker Frank Borzage, “The Spanish Main” has all of the earmarks of a good pirate flick, but it never quite delivers. The middle act sags and drags so much that it sinks the ship as it were. Thankfully, there’s still a lot to admire here. The grand sets, the lavish costumes, the exquisite model work, Hanns Eisler’s exciting score, the action, and the vibrant Technicolor cinematography by George Barnes makes the film a true visual (and audible) treat. Really, it’s the script that lets the movie down. It seems to want to replicate an Errol Flynn adventure, but lacks the story spark to truly make it a memorable affair.

The cast is also on point here. Paul Henreid gives a spirited performance as the Captain and Maureen O’Hara is well cast as the feisty Francisca. The real highlight though is Walter Slezak as the scenery chewing and duplicitous Viceroy villain. He owns every moment he’s on screen and is a great foil for the heroes.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.37:1 1080p. How does it look? This Technicolor beauty is positively striking in hi-def. Warner Archive does it again.

Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The 2.0 track perfectly showcases the rousing score and rousing action.

Extras include a theatrical trailer, 2 cartoons (“Buccaneer Bunny” and “Captain Hareblower”) and the short film “Movieland Magic.”

January 16, 2025 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Maureen O'Hara, Pirate Movie, The Spanish Main Blu-ray Review, Warner Archive