A long time ago, when ships were sturdy and the sailors who manned them were equally so, came Captain Kidd. The film, directed by Rowland V. Lee and written by Norman Reilly Raine from a story by Robert N. Lee, features Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott, Barbara Britton, and John Carradine, with music by Werner Janssen and cinematography by Archie Stout. The movie takes place in the late 1600s and focuses on Captain William Kidd (Laughton), a pirate who is causing trouble for King William III (Henry Daniell) and attempting to betray him. His plans are threatened when he brings Adam Mercy (Scott), an ex-convict, aboard as his master gunner; Mercy has a secret of his own and a task he needs to finish. Captain William Kidd was certainly among the most brutal men around. Put aside any historical accuracy and just try to have some fun with Captain Kidd because of its playful pirate elements. The film’s length is only 90 minutes, which means it doesn't deliver as much action as one might expect; a lot of the script feels slow and overly wordy. Despite this, there’s an overall feeling of enjoyment thanks to a cast of actors who are pleasant to watch, making it feel like a basic acting lesson. Laughton stands out, seeming to relish his role as he gets to sulk, stomp, and revel in being the bad guy. However, there isn't enough screen time for the excellent Daniell, and Barbara Britton, though attractive, is essentially just a cameo appearance who shows up briefly near the end. Janssen’s score has plenty of high-seas energy, and the plot contains enough deception, betrayal, and treasure hunting to at least hold your attention until the very end. It earns a 6/10.

Source on TMDB