Disney+ original film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was released June 28th, 2003.
The 🏴☠️#Pirates franchise made $4.524B internationally.
rottentomatoes: 80%
metacritic: 63
imdb: 8.1
Captain Jack Sparrow
Jack Sparrow is mutinied off his pirate ship the Black Pearl near Port Royal, Jamaica.
“What do you say to three shillings, and we forget the name? I’m sorry. I didn’t know. If I see one, I shall inform you, immediately. There’s some high-toned and fancy to-do at the fort, eh? How could it be that two upstanding gentlemen such as yourselves did not merit an invitation? It’s a fine goal, to be sure, but it seems to me a ship like that makes this one here a bit superfluous, really. I’ve heard of one. It’s supposed to be fast, nigh uncatchable. The Black Pearl. I’m sorry. It’s just it’s such a pretty boat. Ship. Smith. Or Smithy, if you like. All right, then. I confess. It is my intention to commandeer a ship, pick up a crew in Tortuga, raid, pillage, plunder and pilfer my black guts out. Unless he knew you wouldn’t believe the truth, even if he told it to you. Then they made me their chief. Will you be saving her? Pride of the king’s navy, you are! Do not lose these. Move! Clearly you’ve never been to Singapore. Where did you get that?” — Jack Sparrow
“Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please, sir. I’m in the market, as it were. But you have heard of me. But seems enough to condemn him. Finally. I knew you’d warm up to me. Commodore Norrington, my effects, please. And my hat. Commodore. Elizabeth… it is Elizabeth? Miss Swann, if you’d be so kind. Come, come, dear. We don’t have all day. If you’ll be very kind. Easy on the goods, darling. Sticks and stones, love. I saved your life, you save mine. We’re square. Gentlemen, my lady, you will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!” — Jack Sparrow
“You seem somewhat familiar. Have I threatened you before? Ah. Then it would be a shame to put a black mark on your record. If you’ll excuse me. Do you think this wise, boy, crossing blades with a pirate? Only a little. You know what you’re doing, I’ll give you that. Excellent form. But how’s your footwork. If I step here… very good. And now I step again. Ta. That is a wonderful trick. Except, once again, you are between me and my way out. And now, you have no weapon. Who makes all these? You need to find yourself a girl, mate. Or perhaps the reason you practice three hours a day is that you already found one and are otherwise incapable of wooing said strumpet. You’re not a eunuch, are you? Pirate. Move away! Please move? This shot is not meant for you.” — Jack Sparrow
“You can keep doing that forever. The dog is never going to move. I know those guns. It’s the Pearl. No survivors? Then where do the stories come from, I wonder. Come on, doggy! It’s just you and me now. It’s you and ol’ Jack. Come on. Come on. That’s a boy. Good boy. Come and get the bone. That’s a good boy. Come on. Bit closer. Bit closer. That’s it. That’s it, doggy. Come on, you filthy, slimy, mangy cur! No, no, no! I didn’t mean it! I didn’t… oh! Worry about your own fortunes, gentlemen. The deepest circle of hell is reserved for betrayers and mutineers. So there is a curse. That’s interesting. That’s very interesting.” — Jack Sparrow
“Aye. I’ve heard of it. Where does it make berth? Have you not heard the stories? Captain Barbosa and his crew if miscreants sail from the dreaded Isla de Muerta. It’s an island that cannot be found, except by those who already know where it is. Why ask me? And you want to turn pirate yourself. Is that it? So it is that you found a girl. I see. If you’re intending to brave all, hasten to her rescue, and so win fair lady’s heart, you’ll have to do it alone, mate. I see no profit in it for me. How? The key’s run off. What’s your name? That would be short for William, I imagine. Good, strong name. No doubt named for your father, eh? Uh-huh. Well, Mr. Turner, I’ve changed me mind. If you spring me, I swear, on pain of death, I shall take you to the Black Pearl, and your bonny lass. Do we have an accord? Agreed! Get me out! Not without my effects.” — Jack Sparrow
“Commandeer. We’re going to ‘commandeer’ that ship. Nautical term. One question about your business, boy, or there’s no use going. This girl. How far are you willing to go to save her? Oh, good. No worries then. It’s remarkable how often those two traits coincide. Everyone, stay calm! We are taking over the ship. Son, I’m Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy? Thank you, Commodore, for getting us ready to make way! We’d have had a hard time by ourselves!” — Jack Sparrow
“Is that so? I knew him. Probably one of the few who knew him as William Turner. Everyone else called him ‘Bootstrap’ or ‘Bootstrap Bill.’ Good man. Good pirate. I swear, you look just like him. He was a bloody pirate, a scallywag. Put it away, son. It’s not worth you getting beat again. That’s not incentive for me to fight fair, is it? As long as you’re just hanging there, pay attention. The only rules that really matter are these: what a man can do and what a man can’t do. For instance, you can accept that your father was a pirate and a good man, or you can’t. But pirate is in your blood, so you’ll have to square with that someday. Now, me, for example, I can let you drown, but I can’t bring this ship into Tortuga all by me onesies. Savvy? So. Can you sail under the command of a pirate? Or can you not? Tortuga.” — Jack Sparrow
“It is indeed a sad life that has never breathed deep the sweet proliferous bouquet that is Tortuga. Savvy? What do you think? I’ll tell you, mate, if every town in the world were like this one, no man would ever feel unwanted. Scarlett! Not sure I deserved that. Giselle. What? I may have deserved that. Fortunately, I know how to counter it. The man who did the waking buys the man who was sleeping a drink. The man who was sleeping drinks it while listening to a proposition from the man who did the waking. Keep a sharp eye.” — Jack Sparrow
“I’m going after the Black Pearl. I know where it’s going to be, and I’m gonna take it. That’s why I know what Barbosa is up to. All I need is a crew. It’s a good thing I’m not a fool. Let’s just say it’s a matter of leverage. That is the child of Bootstrap Bill Turner. His only child. Savvy? One can only hope. Take what you can. You, sailor!” — Jack Sparrow
Will Turner
“Will Turner.”
“Good day, sir. I have your order. The blade is folded steel. That’s gold filigree laid into the handle. If I may? Perfectly balanced. The tang is nearly the width of the blade. Hmm? I shall. A craftsman is always pleased to hear his work is appreciated. About me? How could I forget, Miss Swann? At least once more, Miss Swann. As always. Good day, Elizabeth.”
“Right where I left you. Not where I left you. You’re the one they’re hunting. The pirate. I make a point of avoiding familiarity with pirates. You threatened Miss Swann. I do. And I practice with them three hours a day. I practice three hours a day so that when I meet a pirate, I can kill him! You cheated! No. No! I cannot just step aside and let you escape. Goodbye. Elizabeth.”
“They’ve taken her. They’ve taken Elizabeth! We have to hunt them down. We must save her. Ask him. Make a deal with him. He could lead us to it. That’s not good enough!”
“You. Sparrow. You are familiar with the Black Pearl? Where does it make berth? The ship’s real enough. Therefore its anchorage must be a real place. Where is it? Because you’re a pirate. Never. They took Miss Swann. I can get you out. I helped build these cells. These are half-pin barrel hinges. With the right leverage and the proper application of strength, the door will lift free. Will Turner. Yes. Agreed. Hurry. Someone will have heard that. We’re going to steal a ship? That ship? I’d die for her. This is either madness or brilliance. Aye! Avast! Here they come.”
“When I was a lad living in England, my mother raised me by herself. After she died, I came out here, looking for my father. My father, Bill Turner? It was only after you learned my name that you agreed to help. Since that’s what I wanted, I didn’t press the matter. I’m not a simpleton, Jack. You knew my father. Bootstrap? It’s not true. He was a merchant sailor. A good, respectable man who obeyed the law. My father was not a pirate! You didn’t beat me. You ignored the rules of engagement. In a fair fight, I’d kill you. Tortuga?”
“It’ll linger. That was for the smell. So this is your able-bodied crew?”
Elizabeth Swann
“♪ Drink up, me hearties, yo-ho ♪ Drink up, me hearties, yo-ho ♪ Yo-ho, yo-ho ♪ A pirate’s life for me ♪ We extort, we pilfer ♪ We filch, we sack Drink up… ♪. I think it’d be rather exciting to meet a pirate. Actually, I find it all fascinating. There’s a boy in the water! It’s okay. My name’s Elizabeth Swann. I’m watching over you. You’re a pirate! His name’s William Turner. That’s all I found out.”
“Yes. Yes. Oh, it’s beautiful! May I inquire as to the occasion? The ceremony? I knew it. It’s difficult to say. Well, women in London must’ve learned not to breathe! Will! It’s so good to see you! I had a dream about you last night. About the day we met. Do you remember? How many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth? Good day, Mr. Turner. I can’t breathe! Yes, I’m fine. Father! Commodore, do you really intend to kill my rescuer? Commodore, I really must protest! Pirate or not, this man saved my life. It’s Miss Swann. You’re despicable.”
“I suspected Commodore Norrington would propose, but I must admit that I wasn’t entirely prepared for it. Oh. Yes, it was terrifying. It is a smart match. He’s a fine man. He’s what any woman should dream of marrying. That is too bold. Don’t!”
“What? Listen. They haven’t seen you. Hide, and the first chance you get, run to the fort. No! Oh, no! Parley! Parley. I invoke the right of parley. According to the Code of the Brethren set down by Morgan and Bartholomew, you have to take me to your captain. If an adversary demands parley, you can do no harm until the parley is complete. I am here to… Captain Barbosa, I am here to negotiate the cessation of hostilities against Port Royal. I want you to leave and never come back. Very well. I’ll drop it. It’s what you’ve been searching for. I recognize this ship. I saw it eight years ago on the crossing from England. Fine. If it is worthless, there’s no point in me keeping it. Elizabeth Turner. I’m a maid in the governor’s household. I didn’t steal it, if that’s what you mean. Our bargain? You have to take me to shore! According to the Code…”
“Well, you may tell the captain that I am disinclined to acquiesce his request. It’s poisoned. Then release me. You have your trinket. I’m of no further value to you. It’s a pirate medallion. I hardly believe in ghost stories anymore, Captain. And the blood to be repaid? No!”
Governor Swann
“I appreciate your fervor, but I’m concerned about the effect this subject will have upon my daughter. Yes. That’s what concerns me. What happened here? There’s no proof of that! It was probably an accident. Elizabeth, I want you to accompany the boy. He’ll be in your charge. Take care of him.”
“Elizabeth? Are you all right? Are you decent? Oh, still abed at this hour? It’s a beautiful day. I have a gift for you. Isn’t it? Does a father need an occasion to dote upon his daughter? Go on. Actually, I… I had doped you might wear it for the ceremony today. Captain Norrington’s promotion ceremony. Commodore Norrington, as he’s about to become. Fine gentleman, don’t you think? He fancies you, you know. Elizabeth? How’s it coming? I’m told it’s the latest fashion in London.”
“Ah, Mr. Turner. Good to see you again. Oh! Ha. Impressive. Very impressive. I know Commodore Norrington’s going to be pleased with this. Do pass my compliments onto your master. Elizabeth. You look absolutely stunning. Is that proper for you… there. See? At least the boy has a sense of propriety. Now, we really must be going. Come along. Elizabeth! Are you all right? Shoot him! Hang him! No! No! Don’t shoot! Now will you shoot him?”
“Has my daughter given you an answer yet? Well, she has had a very trying day. Ghastly weather, don’t you think? What’s that?”
“Where do you propose we start? If you have any information concerning my daughter, share it.”
Commodore Norrington
“Mr. Gibbs, that will do. Consider them marked. On your way. Think again, Miss Swann. Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see to it that any man who sails under a pirate flag or wears a pirate brand gets what he deserves. A short drop and a sudden stop. My apologies, Governor Swann. Man overboard! Man the ropes! Fetch a hook! Haul him aboard! He’s still breathing. Most likely the powder magazine. Merchant vessels run heavily armed. Rouse the captain immediately. Heave to and take in sail. Launch the boats. Has he said anything? Take him below.”
“May I have a moment? You look lovely, Elizabeth. I apologize if I seem forward, but I must speak my mind. This promotion throws into sharp relief that which I have not yet achieved. A marriage to a fine woman. You have become a fine woman, Elizabeth. Yes, I’m a bit nervous myself. Elizabeth? Elizabeth! On your feet. I believe thanks are in order. Had a brush with the East India Trading Company, did we, pirate? Keep your guns on him. Gillette, fetch some irons. Well, well. Jack Sparrow, isn’t it? I don’t see your ship, ‘captain.’ No additional shots nor powder. A compass that doesn’t point north. And I half expected it to be made of wood. You are without doubt the worst pirate I’ve ever heard of! Carefully, Lieutenant. One good deed does not redeem a man of a lifetime of wickedness. Indeed. Open fire! On his heels! Gillette, Mr. Sparrow has a dawn appointment with the gallows. I would hate for him to miss it. Excellent work, Mr. Brown. You’ve assisted in the capture of a dangerous fugitive. I trust that you will always remember this as the day that Captain Jack Sparrow almost escaped. Take him away.”
“No, she hasn’t. Bleak. Really bleak. Cannon fire! Return fire! Sight the muzzle flash. I need a full spread, fore and aft. Mr. Stevens, more cartridges. Governor. Barricade yourself in my office. That’s an order.”
“Mr. Murtogg, remove this man. No. The pirates who invaded his fort left Sparrow in his cell. Ergo, they are not his allies. Governor, we will establish their most likely course… Mr. Turner, you are not a military man, you are not a sailor. You are a blacksmith, and this is not the moment for rash actions! Do not make the mistake of thinking you are the only man here who cares for Elizabeth. Rash, Turner. Too rash. That is, without a doubt, the worst pirate I have ever seen. Bring her around! Bring her around! Search every cabin, every hold, down to the bliges. Sailors, back to the Interceptor! Now! Set topsails and clear up this mess. Just get them in range of the long nines. I’d rather see her at the bottom of the ocean than in the hands of a pirate. So it would seem.”
Captain Barbosa
“And ye will not lay a hand on those under the protection of parley. My apologies, miss. There were a lot of long words there, miss. We’re not but humble pirates. What is it that you want? I’m disinclined to acquiesce your request. Means ‘no.’ Me holds are burstin’ with swag. That bit of shine matters to us? Why? Did you now? You have a name, missy? Miss Turner! How does a maid come to own a trinket such as that? Family heirloom, perhaps? Very well. You hand it over, and we’ll put your town to our rudder and ne’er return. First, your return to shore was not part of our negotiations nor our agreement, so I must do nothing. Secondly, you must be a pirate for the Pirates’ Code to apply, and you’re not. And thirdly, the Code is more of what you’d call guidelines than actual rules. Welcome aboard the Black Pearl, Miss Turner.”
“There’s no need to stand on ceremony, no call to impress anyone. You must be hungry. Try the wine. And the apples. One of those next. There would be no sense to be killing you. You don’t know what this is, do you? This is Aztec gold. One of 882 identical pieces they delivered in a stone chest to Cortes himself. Blood money paid to stem the slaughter he wreaked upon them with his armies. But the greed of Cortes was insatiable. So the heathen gods placed upon the gold… a terrible curse. Any mortal that removes but a single piece from that stone chest shall be punished for eternity. Aye. That’s exactly what I thought when we were first told the tale. Buried on an island of the dead what cannot be found, except for those know where it is. Find it we did. There be the chest. Inside the gold. We took ’em all! We spent ’em and traded ’em and frittered ’em away on drink and food and pleasurable company. The more we gave ’em away, the more we came to realize the drink would not satisfy. Food turned to ash in our mouths and all the pleasurable company in the world could not slake our lust. We are cursed men, Miss Turner. Compelled by greed we were, but now… we are consumed by it. There is one way we can end our curse. All the scattered pieces of the Aztec gold must be restored and the blood repaid. Thanks to ye, we have the final piece. That’s why there’s no sense to be killing you. Yet. Apple? Arrr! I’m curious. After killing me, what is it you’re planning on doing next? Look! The moonlight shows us for what we really are. We are not among the living, and so we cannot die. But neither are we dead. For too long I’ve been parched of thirst and unable to quench it. Too long I’ve been starvin’ to death and haven’t died. I feel nothin’. Not the wind on my face, nor the spray of the sea, nor the warmth of a woman’s flesh. You best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner. You’re in one! What are you looking at? Back to work!”
Mr. Gibbs
“Quiet, Missy. Cursed pirates sale these waters. You don’t want to bring them down on us. She was singing about pirates! It’s bad luck to sing about pirates with us mired in this unnatural fog. Mark my words. Aye, Lieutenant. It’s bad luck to have a woman on board. Even a miniature one. Mary, Mother of God! Lot of good it did them. Everyone’s thinking it, I’m saying it. Pirates!”
“Curse you for breathing, you slack-jawed idiot! Mother’s love! Jack! You should know better than to wake a man when he’s sleepin’. It’s bad luck. Aye, that’ll about do it. Blast! I’m already awake! Now, what’s the nature of the venture of your’n. Jack, it’s a fool’s errand. You know better than me the tales of the Black Pearl. I hear Captain Barbosa’s not a man to suffer fools, nor strike a bargain with one. Prove me wrong. What makes you think Barbosa will give up his ship to you? Huh? The kid? Is he now? Leverage, says you. I think I feel a change in the wind, says I. I’ll find us a crew. There’s bound to be sailors on this rock crazy as you. Give nothin’ back!”
“Feast your eyes, Captain. All of them, faithful hands before the mast. Every man worth his salt, and crazy to boot. Cotton, sir.”
Tortuga
“Who was she?”
The Black Pearl
“Hello, chum. Up there! Gotcha! Boo! Boo! Boo! I’m burning! Come on! We know you’re here, poppet! Poppet! Come out. We promise we won’t hurt you. Eh? We will find you, poppet. You’ve got something of ours, and it calls to us. The gold calls to us. The gold. Hello, poppet. What? I know the Code. To blazes with the Code. She wants to be taken to the captain. And she’ll go without a fuss. We must honor the code.”
“Say goodbye! Come on. Hello. Out of our way, scum! This ain’t the armory! Well, well, well. Look what we have here, Twigg. Captain Jack Sparrow. Last time I saw you, you were all alone on a godforsaken island, shrinking into the distance. His fortunes aren’t improved much. You know nothing of hell.”
“I didn’t know we was takin’ on captives. She’s invoked the right of parley with Captain Barbosa. You will speak when spoken to. Aye, sir. Turner! Bootstrap! Still the guns and stow ’em. Signal the men and make good to clear port.”
“You’ll be dining with the captain, and he requests you wear this. He said you’d say that. He also said if that be the case, you’ll be dining with the crew, and you’ll be naked. Fine. Boo!”
Port Royal
“My Lord, you have a visitor.”
“Wha… hold up there, you! It’s a shilling to tie up your boat to the dock. And I shall need to know your name. Welcome to Port Royal, Mr. Smith.”
“Two paces, march! Right about… face! Present… arms!”
“This dock is off-limits to civilians. We have to make sure this dock stays off-limits to civilians. The Dauntless is the power in these waters, true enough, but no ship can match the Interceptor for speed. There’s no real ship as can match the Interceptor. Black Pearl is a real ship. No. No, it’s not. Yes, it is. I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it? Yes. You haven’t seen it. Yes, I have! You’ve seen a ship with black sails that’s crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil that hell itself spat him back out? No. No. But I have seen a ship with black sails. Oh. And no ship that’s not crewed by the damned and captained by a man so evil that hell spat him back out could possibly have black sails, therefore couldn’t be any other ship than the Black Pearl. Is that what you’re saying? No. Like I said, there’s no real ship as can match the Interceptor… hey! You! Get away from there! You don’t have permission to be aboard there, mate. What’s your name? What’s your purpose in Port Royal, ‘Mr. Smith?’ And no lies! I said no lies! I think he’s telling the truth. If he were telling the truth, he wouldn’t have told us.”
“The rocks! Sir, it’s a miracle she missed them! I can’t swim! What was that? I got her! She’s not breathing! I never would’ve thought of that. He said he’d come to commandeer one. Told you he was telling the truth. These are his, sir. Search upstairs! Look lively, men! Come on, men! There he is! Just doing my civic duty, sir.”
“Come here, boy. Come here, boy. Want a nice, juicy bone? Come here, boy! Oh, excuse us if we haven’t resigned ourselves to the gallows just yet. Come on, boy.”
“There you go, miss. It was a difficult day for you, I’m sure. I meant you being threatened by that pirate. Sounds terrifying. But the Commodore proposed! Fancy that. That’s a smart match, miss, if it’s not too bold to say. But that Will Turner, he’s a fine man, too. Beggin’ your pardon, miss. It was not my place.”
“The Black Pearl? I’ve heard stories. She’s been praying on ships and settlements for near ten years. Never leaves any survivors.”
“Miss Swann! They’ve come to kidnap you! You’re the governor’s daughter!”
“My sympathies, friend. You’ve no manner of luck at all.”
“That Jack Sparrow. He talked about the Black Pearl. Mentioned it is more what he did. This ship cannot be crewed by two men. You’ll never make it out of the bay. Commodore! They’re taking the Dauntless! Commodore! They’re taking the ship! Sparrow and Tuner! They’re taking the Dauntless! With the wind across her stern, we won’t catch them. Hands, come about! Run out the guns! We are to fire on our own ship, sir? Commodore! He’s disabled the rudder chain, sir. Abandon ship! Cease fire! That’s got to be the best pirate I’ve ever seen.”