Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)

Excellent but underrated film

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Blistering performances.

Lightweight Disney comedy gets a big boost from a strong cast. Dean Jones is the new track coach at a local college and after spending the night at Blackbeard's Inn, where he befriends the cantankerous ghost of Edward Teach, AKA Blackbeard, played by the always excellent Peter Ustinov, who then helps Jones and love interest Suzanne Pleshette secure money to save the hotel from being taken away by the bank (and gangsters). The plot isn't really why you'd watch this film. It's the banter between Jones and Pleshette, and the comic mugging by Ustinov, which all goes a very long way. It's also fun to see the original Bride of Frankenstein, Elsa Lanchester, in a supporting role. Far from a Disney classic, it's still solid entertainment. And as an aside, I'm kind of fascinated thinking back to the many Disney live action films of the 60s and 70s that were made for kids, but which feature no children. This is something you don't ever really see anymore in children's movies.

This just came on the television as I was working on some sewing ... I sort of half started watching it and before I knew it the sewing had been set aside and my 16 year old daughter was calling from the other room to ask what I was laughing at. I hadn't even realised I was laughing so much and it really is funny - mainly because of Peter Ustinov's wonderful comedic performance as the pirate Blackbeard's Ghost, but also the completely bonkers events that occur - particularly the madcap track and field competition, and the fight with the bad guys at the end in which fingers are used as guns to hilarious effect (you'd have to watch it to understand what I'm on about). Silly, slapstick, knockabout nonsense it may be ... but the script is sharp and funny (particularly Ustinov's wonderful dialogue) and all in all it's a delightfully daft romp that made me smile, chuckle and yes .. laugh out loud.

Fun Disney-fantasy comedy about a pirate/ghost that returns to our time. Enjoyable story that mingles adventure , fantasy , slapdash and amusement . One of Disney's best live-action comedies , this stars Peter Ustinov in the title role as Blackbeard , he has been cursed by his spouse who was an evil witch , so that he will never die . The phantom is suspended between worlds after a curse was put on him by his ex-wife . When a sympathetic trainer named Steve Walker (Dean Jones) arrives in the coastal little town called Godolphin he attends a charity sale and buys an antique bed warmer. After that , Steve discovers a hidden spell and after reading it out aloud he conjures up the title character and he only can see the fantastic pirate , being one important trouble , no one will believe him . The only way to "break" the curse is to do a good act for once in his life . As the notorious pirate is a ghost who has to prevent his descendants from becoming a gambling casino . Meanwhile , an ancient hotel run by some old ladies called ¨Daughters of Buccaneers¨( Elsa Lanchester and others ) of Godolphin little town is under threat of foreclosure from nasty gambling mobster who wishes to construite a house game on the location . As the coach Steve and the gorgeous Jo Anne (Suzanne Pleshette ) help protect his descendants' home from being taken over by racketeers who want to make it casino , both of whom along with the 400-year-old ghost romp around in the motel threatened with closure.This slapstick fantasy Disney is plenty of adventure , imagination , comedy ad lots of fun . This is a likable sort of a kiddies' adaptation of a ¨ghost story¨ and another attempt for repeat the Mary Poppins magic . Peter Ustinov as the titular phantom of the title is terrific , he steals the show , as himself grins, grunts and botchers around which makes him all the more endearing . Many of the gags are good , but the movie sometimes drags . Highlights of the movie result to be the amusing scenes in which the pirate uses his powers to aid the young runners to gain competitions and fun final at the house game . Well produced by Bill Walsh , colorfully photographed by Edward Colman and lively musical score by Robert Brunner ; the three of them customary experts on Disney fantasy home . The motion picture is well directed by usual craftsman from Disney productions named Robert Steveson who achieved for the famous company its greatest successes such as ¨Mary Poppins¨ , ¨Bednobs and broomsticks , ¨Gnome-mobile¨, ¨Herbie rides again¨ , ¨Absent-minded professor¨, ¨Son of Flubber¨, ¨Shaggy DA¨ , ¨That darn cat¨ , ¨One of our dinosaurs is missing¨ and many others . Rating : Acceptable , 6,5 , worthwhile watching . Amusing and engaging film with effective combination of primitive special effects , live action , adventure , fantasy and humor . The children will get a kick out of this Disney film .

Though this movie isn't a well-known classic, it is still most certainly a shining example of why Disney films were once so enjoyable. The movie features an interesting, offbeat plot of the new coach of a rather dismal track team unwittingly summons the ghost of the vicious pirate, Edward Teach (Peter Ustinov). After centuries caught in limbo, the pirate has evolved into a lovable ne'r-do-well, and does his best to "help" his new companion, much to the consternation of the coach.Disney regulars Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette, Elsa Lanchester, George Murdock, and Richard Deacon star in this little gem. They play their usual character types, but the move is truly made by Peter Ustinov, who plays the role perfectly.The movie features a lot of slapstick, though it's cleverly presented and plays host to wry dialogue. All in all, a very enjoyable film