The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!

The film is set in 1837, the early Victorian era when empire, science, and spectacle collide. The Royal Navy’s ongoing battles with pirates backdrop the opening military claims, while scientific curiosity fuels competitions at the Royal Academy. The period setting shapes costumes, humor, and the political tension at court.

1837 London serves as the central setting, with scenes spanning the royal court and the Royal Academy. The Beagle is captured and Polly's status drives much of the plot, while the Tower of London provides a key pursuit location. The action shifts between London’s streets, Blood Island pirate haven, and the Queen’s steamship QV1, grounding the story in a playful, period-accurate world.

🏴‍☠️ Ambition

The Pirate Captain seeks fame by winning the Pirate of the Year contest, not simply by plundering ships. His plans hinge on dramatic demonstration and coin-less rewards, highlighting how status can trump treasure. The crew’s loyalty is tested as risk-taking and vanity drive decisions, injecting comedy into danger. The pursuit of glory becomes the motor of the adventure.

🤝 Loyalty

Despite their rag-tag appearance, the crew forms a tight bond through shared danger and muttered jokes. The Pirate with a Scarf serves as the Captain’s pragmatic ally, balancing bravado with caution. Loyalty is tested when Polly’s safety becomes intertwined with the crew’s fortunes. The group’s unity ultimately underpins their survival and success.

🔬 Science

Darwin’s drive to win the Scientist of the Year prize drives much of the plot, pitting scientific prestige against pirate antics. The Beagle, Polly, and the Royal Academy place science at the center of a playful rivalry. The story uses humor to comment on the pursuit of fame in science and the cost of experimentation. Polly’s role as the last living dodo becomes a satirical symbol of scientific obsession.

👑 Power

Queen Victoria wields political power and personal authority, shaping the pirates’ fate with pardons and threats. Her hatred of pirates motivates dramatic confrontations, including the Tower of London pursuit and the royal dinner scene. The monarch’s decisions determine whether the Captain remains an outlaw or regains his seafaring status. The dynamic between power and rebellion threads through the film’s climactic moments.