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MovieMail's Review
Children end up on a pirate ship headed by Anthony Quinn in Alexander Mackendrick's wonderful film adaptation of Richard Hughes' novel. It looks gorgeous too, says James Oliver.
After a hurricane hits their plantation in Jamaica, the Thornton family decide it would be best if their children were returned to Britain for a safer (and more decorous) upbringing. But soon out of port, the ship they're travelling on is boarded by pirates who mean to make off with the ship's cargo.
But the pirates – headed by Cap'n Chavez (Quinn) – take more than they realise. The children have managed to get themselves aboard the buccaneers' boat and must journey with the crew until they can be safely disposed of. As they sail further with the children, the crew starts to be affected by their presence and, moreover, Cap'n Chavez starts losing his appetite for plunder...
This film adaptation of Richard Hughes' classic novel of childhood dials back some of the harsher elements of the original book but skilfully avoids the syrup and sentimentality that too often blights films with kids. The film is much more than the simple adventure it initially promises to be – it sails into choppier waters and concludes with real pathos and heartbreak.
Which is not to say it stints on the fun - how could it, with Anthony Quinn on such excellent form as Cap'n Chavez? Chewing on a dodgy accent (his character claims to be from Columbia), Quinn dominates the film as only cinema's greatest force of nature could. Always a generous actor, the mighty Quinn makes sure to leave room for the children to shine – notably little Deborah Baxter as Emily, the feisty lass who does most to change Chavez. (Trivia fans will be thrilled to know that one of the nippers is played by future novelist Martin Amis.)
Alexander Mackendrick, of course, was a superlative director of children, as he had previously demonstrated in Mandy and Sammy Going South. A High Wind To Jamaica was the last film he made before retiring from frontline filmmaking; it has the same command of characterisation and tone that distinguishes his best work (The Man In The White Suit; The Maggie). It looks gorgeous too, with Douglas Slocombe's photography perfectly capturing the balmy Caribbean.
An acclaimed pirate adventure classic for the whole family, A High Wind in Jamaica is based on the classic 1929 novel of the same name by Richard Hughes and transformed into a magnificent film adaptation by revered director Alexander Mackendrick.
Two British parents living in the West Indies in the 1870s decide to send their children home to be schooled in England. However, when their ship is attacked by pirates and the children are accidentally transferred onto the enemy vessel, their presence begins to stir up trouble amongst the superstitious crew.
Featuring wonderful turns from Anthony Quinn, James Coburn and Deborah Baxter in a remarkable debut performance as Emily, this is a thrilling adventure classic and a subtle, captivating look at the boundaries of childhood perception.
