This film, *Against All Flags*, was directed by George Sherman and scripted by Joseph Hoffman and Aeneas MacKenzie. The cast includes Errol Flynn, Maureen O'Hara, Anthony Quinn, Alice Kelley, and Mildred Natwick. It’s a Technicolor production from Universal, with cinematography by Russell Metty and music composed by Hans J. Salter. The story is straightforward: set in 1700 A.D., the Pirate Republic of Libertatia on Madagascar posed a threat to trade routes heading to India. Not far from this pirate stronghold was a British merchant ship called the Monsoon. Essentially, Flynn plays a British officer who infiltrates a pirate operation along the coast of Madagascar. Expect romance, jealousy, heroic moments, mustache-twirling villainy, and plenty of celebratory scenes. It’s not one of Flynn's best swashbucklers; it was made during a period when he was dealing with personal problems and his age was beginning to show. Filming primarily took place on Universal studio lots in California, with some location shooting at Palos Verdes—and surprisingly, the film turned out better than it probably deserved. There’s even a fight using landing pikes! It's not quite as exhilarating as Flynn’s earlier successes, and the narrative isn’t particularly strong, but there are plenty of visually appealing elements, and the actors bring an infectious energy to their roles. The color photography and costumes really stand out, helping to compensate for some cost-cutting measures by producer Howard Christie. The direction is solid, allowing the performers to comfortably handle the lighthearted material, and the ending delivers on action and excitement. Flynn exudes a relaxed charm; his understated romantic gestures win over the women. Quinn enjoys playing the flamboyant villain, O'Hara handles a sword well and conveys a compelling sensuality that captivates the men, while Mildred Natwick is reliably entertaining to watch because her acting through visuals is quite enjoyable. The film’s shortcomings are obvious from the start, making it easy to criticize if you’re in a particularly critical mood. Therefore, considering pirate adventures or Flynn swashbucklers in general, this is definitely a minor entry. However, that doesn't mean it isn't colorful or entertaining; it certainly is both. Universal’s Region 1 *Pirates of the Golden Age* release of *Against All Flags* is presented in full frame and features a pretty good transfer to disc. It earns a rating of 7/10.

Source on TMDB