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Timeline

The Pirates (2014) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 130 min · Korean
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Directed by
Seok-hoon Lee

During the Joseon Dynasty, chaos erupts when the Emperor's prized seal is swallowed by a whale. This event triggers widespread piracy and a desperate search to recover the lost artifact. Ruthless agents and diverse pirate crews compete for the seal, facing dangerous mythical creatures along the way. The quest becomes a high-stakes battle where the fate of the empire is threatened by the turbulent seas and those who seek to control its power.

Adventure History Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Pirates
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Pirates Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Pirates (2014) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Setting Sail

    In 1837, the Pirate Captain leads his rag-tag group of amateur pirates as they embark on their journey across the high seas. They lack experience in piracy but are motivated to prove themselves to the world and establish their reputation.

    When
    1837
    Where
    High Seas

  2. Entering the Competition

    The Pirate Captain decides to enter the highly competitive Pirate of the Year competition, believing it will prove his worth. However, upon submitting his application, he is ridiculed by seasoned pirates like Bellamy, Cutlass, and Pigleg for his amateurish attempts.

  3. Failed Plunders

    After several unsuccessful attempts to plunder mundane ships, the crew grows desperate and the Captain contemplates abandoning piracy to sell baby clothes. His first mate, the Pirate with a Scarf, convinces him to try one last time at boarding another ship.

  4. Capturing Charles Darwin

    The crew boards the ship called the Beagle, but they find no treasure on board. Instead, they capture Charles Darwin, who recognizes their pet parrot Polly as the last surviving dodo and urges them to enter it into a competition of their own.

    Where
    Beagle

  5. Heading to London

    The Pirate Captain decides to set course for London to enter Polly into the Scientist of the Year competition at the Royal Academy. Ignoring warnings about Queen Victoria's notorious hatred for pirates, they proceed towards the city.

    Where
    London

  6. Darwin's Scheme

    In London, Darwin seeks to win the Scientist prize to impress Queen Victoria but plans to steal Polly with the help of his trained chimpanzee, Mr. Bobo. This leads to a failed kidnapping attempt, which the Pirate with a Scarf witnesses.

    Where
    Royal Academy

  7. The Display of Polly

    At the Royal Academy competition, the dodo earns the top prize, which consists of a tiny trophy, an encyclopedia set, and a chance to meet Queen Victoria. However, the Pirate Captain's identity is inadvertently revealed during the ceremony.

    Where
    Royal Academy

  8. Queen Victoria's Pardon

    Despite revealing his true identity as a pirate, the Queen spares the Pirate Captain's life because he knows the whereabouts of Polly. He is granted a full pardon, while Darwin is ordered to retrieve the dodo at any cost.

    Where
    Royal Academy

  9. Betrayal and Abandonment

    After the Queen offers a treasure for Polly, the Pirate Captain, thinking he can play both sides, risks revealing the bird's hiding place. Ultimately, his crew abandons him when they discover he has been lying about Polly’s fate.

    Where
    London

  10. The Queen's Dinner

    Having given up on piracy, the Captain learns from Darwin of the Queen's secret dining society, which plans to feast on endangered animals aboard her steamship. This prompts him to team up with Darwin to hatch a plan to rescue Polly.

    Where
    QV1

  11. Disruptive Rescue

    Aboard the QV1, the Pirate Captain and Darwin interrupt the royal meal, leading to a chaotic confrontation with the Queen. Their shenanigans garner the attention and eventual support of the Captain's crew, returning to his side.

    Where
    QV1

  12. The Great Escape

    During an intense showdown, the crew accidentally causes an explosion by mixing baking powder with vinegar, rendering the ship in two. The Pirate Captain manages to rescue Polly, leading to their daring escape from the furious Queen.

    Where
    QV1

  13. Restoration of Reputation

    With a newfound bounty on his head due to the rescue and chaos, the Pirate Captain's reputation among pirates is restored. Eager for new adventures, he and his crew set sail once more, leaving Darwin on the Galapagos Islands.

    Where
    High Seas

  14. Darwin's New Beginning

    On the Galapagos Islands, Darwin finds fulfillment as he begins a relationship with a local girl. Meanwhile, Mr. Bobo decides to join the Pirate Captain's crew, solidifying their bond as they continue their adventures.

    Where
    Galapagos Islands

  15. Queen's Revenge

    Left with the rare animals she planned to feast on, the Queen is now at their mercy, completely humiliated. The Pirate Captain sails away, secure in the knowledge of his revival as a pirate and his thrill-seeking lifestyle.

Last updated: December 24, 2024 at 10:01

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Timeline questions answered

The Pirates Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Pirates (2014): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does the Pirate Captain decide to enter the Pirate of the Year competition?

The Pirate Captain enters the competition to prove himself and validate his crew's worth. As an inexperienced leader of amateur pirates, he believes winning would establish their reputation and transform them from laughingstocks into legendary seafarers. The competition rewards the pirate who plunders the most in a year, presenting a concrete opportunity for the underdogs to achieve recognition.

  • pirate captain
  • pirate of the year
  • competition
  • motivation
  • reputation
Q2

Why is Charles Darwin interested in the pirate crew's parrot?

Charles Darwin recognizes that the pirate crew's pet parrot Polly is actually the last surviving dodo, a species presumed extinct. This discovery is scientifically invaluable to Darwin, who urges the Captain to enter Polly in the Scientist of the Year competition at the Royal Academy, promising substantial rewards for such a remarkable specimen.

  • charles darwin
  • polly
  • dodo
  • scientist
  • competition
  • royal academy
Q3

Why does Darwin want to win the Scientist of the Year competition?

Darwin is motivated by his infatuation with Queen Victoria. He believes that winning the Scientist of the Year competition will impress her and earn her favor. This explains why he resorts to stealing Polly rather than simply documenting the dodo scientifically, he wants the glory of presenting the discovery himself.

  • charles darwin
  • queen victoria
  • scientist competition
  • romance
  • motivation
Q4

Why does Queen Victoria spare the Pirate Captain's life after learning he's a pirate?

Queen Victoria spares the Captain because he is the only one who knows where Polly is hidden. Even though his identity as a pirate would normally warrant execution, the Queen wants the dodo for herself and orders Darwin to retrieve it at all costs. This creates an unusual dynamic where the pirate's life is tied to the bird's location.

  • queen victoria
  • pardon
  • pirate captain
  • polly
  • dodo
Q5

Why do the pirate crew abandon their captain in London?

The crew abandons the Captain after discovering he lied about Polly's fate. Thinking he could play both sides, the Captain revealed Polly's hiding place to the Queen in exchange for treasure, while also planning to retrieve it for himself. When the crew learns of this betrayal, they leave him to face the consequences alone.

  • pirate crew
  • abandonment
  • betrayal
  • london
  • polly
Q6

What is Queen Victoria's secret dining society aboard the QV1?

Queen Victoria is part of an exclusive dining society that feasts on endangered and rare animals. The QV1 steamship was carrying these creatures for the Queen's elaborate dinner. This revelation shocks the Pirate Captain and Darwin, motivating them to disrupt the meal and rescue Polly who was also being held captive.

Foreshadowing: Earlier warnings about the Queen's notorious hatred for pirates hinted at her cruel nature.

  • queen victoria
  • qv1
  • dining society
  • endangered animals
  • secret
Q7

How does the explosion that splits the QV1 in half occur?

During the chaotic confrontation aboard the QV1, the crew accidentally causes an explosion by mixing baking powder with vinegar. This volatile combination creates a violent reaction that tears the ship in two, allowing the Pirate Captain to rescue Polly in the confusion and escape with his crew.

  • qv1
  • explosion
  • baking powder
  • vinegar
  • escape
  • ship
Q8

Why does Mr. Bobo the chimpanzee join the pirate crew?

Mr. Bobo, Darwin's trained chimpanzee who was originally used to steal Polly, decides to join the Pirate Captain's crew after witnessing the adventure unfold. His loyalty shifts to the pirates during the chaos on the QV1, and he chooses to remain with them rather than return to Darwin.

  • mr bobo
  • chimpanzee
  • pirate crew
  • loyalty
  • join
Q9

Why does Charles Darwin stay on the Galapagos Islands at the end?

Darwin remains on the Galapagos Islands to pursue a romantic relationship with a local girl he meets there. This marks a new beginning for him, shifting his focus from scientific glory and impressing Queen Victoria to finding personal happiness in the islands where his famous studies would later take place.

  • charles darwin
  • galapagos islands
  • romance
  • new beginning
Q10

What happens to Queen Victoria at the end of the film?

At the film's conclusion, Queen Victoria is left surrounded by all the rare animals she planned to feast upon. Having been thwarted by the pirates and left helpless aboard her own damaged ship, she becomes at the mercy of the very creatures she intended to eat, resulting in a comedic comeuppance.

  • queen victoria
  • comeuppance
  • animals
  • humiliation
  • defeat
Q11

Where is Polly actually hidden throughout most of the film?

Polly the dodo is hidden inside the Pirate Captain's beard for most of the adventure. This absurd hiding spot is revealed when Darwin finally tracks down the bird, explaining why thorough searches of the ship and belongings never uncovered the creature.

Foreshadowing: The Captain's unusual choice to keep Polly close rather than in a cage was an early hint.

  • polly
  • dodo
  • beard
  • hidden
  • hiding place

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Pirates, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Pirates tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical Underdog Misadventures like The Pirates

Inept but lovable characters bumble through high-stakes chaos for an unlikely victory. Movies like The Pirates featuring bumbling crews on absurd quests. If you enjoyed the lighthearted chaos, quirky humor, and the theme of found family triumphing against the odds, you'll find similar joyful and adventurous stories here.

  • whimsical
  • comedic
  • adventurous
  • lighthearted
  • quirky
  • uplifting
  • Tone: whimsical, lighthearted
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows an underdog group, often with clashing personalities, who are thrown together by circumstance. Their journey is less a masterful plan and more a series of comedic missteps and lucky breaks, leading to a climax where their heart, not their prowess, saves the day.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared spirit of lighthearted adventure, their focus on humor derived from incompetence, and their uplifting message that friendship can conquer even the most ridiculous of challenges.

31 Minutos, la película movie poster

31 Minutos, la película

2008
Scavenger Hunt movie poster

Scavenger Hunt

1979
Hundreds of Beavers movie poster

Hundreds of Beavers

2024
Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil movie poster

Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil

2011
101 Dalmatians movie poster

101 Dalmatians

1996
Open Season movie poster

Open Season

2020
Where’s That Fire movie poster

Where’s That Fire

1939
The Wind in the Willows movie poster

The Wind in the Willows

1996

Playful High-Seas Adventures like The Pirates

Swashbuckling tales where historical settings meet mythical creatures and comedic rivalry. For fans of The Pirates seeking similar swashbuckling fun. Discover movies with comedic pirate crews, historical fantasy settings, and quests for mythical treasures, all delivered with a fast pace and a light, adventurous tone.

  • adventurous
  • comedic
  • high-seas
  • historical
  • mythical
  • treasure hunt
  • Tone: adventurous, whimsical
  • Pacing: fast, energetic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot typically revolves around a coveted MacGuffin—a treasure, a map, or a seal—that sparks a frantic chase. Various factions, from noble agents to rival pirate crews, compete in a series of escalating, humorous encounters, often culminating in a large-scale, chaotic finale.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific blend of historical adventure, comedic piracy, and light fantasy. The similarity comes from the nautical setting, the treasure-hunt structure, and the overall tone that prioritizes fun and excitement over darkness or seriousness.

Pirates movie poster

Pirates

1986
The Pirates movie poster

The Pirates

2014
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl movie poster

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

2003
Treasure Island movie poster

Treasure Island

1950
The Princess and the Pirate movie poster

The Princess and the Pirate

1944
Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure movie poster

Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure

1981
Cutthroat Island movie poster

Cutthroat Island

1995
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad movie poster

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad

1974

If you liked this

Movies Like The Pirates

Similar movies to The Pirates: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries
Pirates movie poster

Pirates

1986
Pirates of the Plain movie poster

Pirates of the Plain

1999
The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure movie poster

The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure

2022
Pirates movie poster

Pirates

2022
The Pirate Movie movie poster

The Pirate Movie

1982
The Black Pirate movie poster

The Black Pirate

1926
The Pirate movie poster

The Pirate

1973
The King’s Pirate movie poster

The King’s Pirate

1967
The Pirates of Blood River movie poster

The Pirates of Blood River

1962
Pirates of the 20th Century movie poster

Pirates of the 20th Century

1980
The Crimson Pirate movie poster

The Crimson Pirate

1952
The Princess and the Pirate movie poster

The Princess and the Pirate

1944

Every angle

The Pirates (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Pirates in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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