The Crimson Pirate

The Crimson Pirate

Year: 1952

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Siodmak

ComedyAdventureEpic heroesFantasy adventure heroism and swordplaySuperheroes in action-packed battles with villains

Burt Lancaster stars as a daring pirate known for his nine lives and endless surprises, blending intrigue and acrobatics. Set in the late 1700s Caribbean, he becomes entangled in a revolutionary uprising, leading to prison escapes, encounters with an eccentric scientist, dramatic sea battles, and relentless swordplay.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Crimson Pirate (1952)

Trace every key event in The Crimson Pirate (1952) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Pirates capture royal frigate and strike a deal with Baron Gruda

Vallo and his men ambush and capture a frigate belonging to the King's navy in a daring assault. Baron Gruda, an envoy of the King, agrees to release himself and his crew in exchange for help capturing El Libre. In return for this cooperation, the pirates will keep the frigate and deliver El Libre to the Baron for a hefty reward.

Late 18th century Caribbean Sea
2

Vallo meets Cobra rebels on Cobra Island

Vallo and his lieutenant Ojo land on Cobra Island and meet the island's rebels, led by Pablo Murphy. They learn that El Libre has been captured and imprisoned on the island of San Pero. The rebels hope the pirates can influence Cobra to their advantage.

Cobra Island
3

Vallo impersonates the Baron at San Pero

The pirates sail to San Pero and Vallo disguises himself as Baron Gruda to advance their objective. He orders the prisoners released into his custody, leveraging the ruse to gain control over the situation. The plan escalates and deepens the danger for everyone involved.

San Pero Island
4

Consuelo pleads; Bellows mutinies

Consuelo pleads with Vallo not to sell El Libre and the others, but Vallo refuses to change course. Humble Bellows overhears the exchange and begins plotting a mutiny against his captain. The crew's loyalty starts to fracture as rumors of betrayal spread.

Pirate ship
5

El Libre freed but killed; Consuelo captured

Vallo frees El Libre and Consuelo, but King's guards arrive soon after, killing El Libre and capturing Consuelo. The mutiny's momentum shifts as Chaos blooms aboard the ship. Humble Bellows seizes the opportunity to push his own agenda.

Cobra Island
6

Humble Bellows takes command

The mutiny elects Humble Bellows as the new captain, consolidating control aboard the pirate vessel. Baron Gruda then steps in to capture the mutineers and assert his influence over the pirates. The balance of power on Cobra shifts dramatically.

Cobra Island
7

Baron forces Consuelo's marriage; Vallo vows to help later

Baron Gruda compels Consuelo to agree to marry the Cobra governor as part of a political scheme. Vallo resolves to rescue Consuelo but decides to first secure island cooperation against Cobra. The political intrigue intensifies as alliances form and break.

Cobra Island
8

Professor and rebels marshal futuristic weapons

With the professor's guidance, the island's rebels design and build a suite of futuristic weapons, including tanks, Gatling guns, flamethrowers, a hot air balloon, and a submarine. This engineering feat levels the playing field against Cobra's disciplined troops. The contraptions symbolize a desperate bid for victory.

Cobra Island
9

Wedding day uprising and Cobra's overthrow

On the day of Consuelo's wedding, the people rise up and overthrow the governor and his guards. A massive land and sea battle erupts as rebels and pirates coordinate their attack on Cobra's defenses. The tide of war swings decisively toward the insurgents.

Wedding day Cobra Island
10

Climax: ships destroyed, Baron killed, lovers reunited

The battle ends with the pirate ship destroyed and the Navy ship captured. Baron Gruda is killed in the fighting, sealing Cobra's collapse. Vallo and Consuelo are finally reunited amid the chaos and celebration on the captured vessel.

Cobra Island and surrounding seas
11

Maintop kiss and pirate victory celebration

As cheers rise from the decks below, Vallo and Consuelo share a passionate kiss on the maintop, sealing their alliance and triumph. The pirates celebrate their hard-won victory aboard the captured ship, signaling a new era for their voyage yet to come.

Maintop of pirate ship

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:43

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The Crimson Pirate Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Crimson Pirate

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