It was released on July 9, 2003. As of March 16, 2004, it had grossed at the box office more than $653 million worldwide; the 21st highest grossing movie ever. It proved to be a success for Walt Disney Pictures and within weeks of release they announced a sequel was in development, Pirates of the Caribbean 2, slated for release in 2005/6.
When production for the film was first announced in early 2002, movie fans and critics were skeptical of its chances of being a success. The concept of Disney basing a movie upon one of its own theme park rides seemed to many a crass marketing ploy. Critics were pleasantly surprised to find the film an enjoyable swashbuckler. However, the poor reception received by other Disney films based upon its theme park rides (The Country Bears , The Haunted Mansion) suggested that the success of Pirates of the Caribbean was an exception and not the rule.
It was believed that the movie was partially inspired from Monkey Island, and similarities have been drawn between Barbossa and LeChuck. Most hold that this is coincidental, since both are inspired from the theme ride. On the other hand, it is still believed that the makers have put intentional references from the games as a tribute.
Tagline: Prepare to be blown out of the water.
== Plot ==
Legend tells of a pirate ship, a ship called the Black Pearl. It sails the clear blue waters of the Caribbean leaving in its wake death, ruin, and suffering. For ten years it has tortured the people of the islands. It has tattered black sails and is crewed by the damned and captained by the terrible Captain Barbossa. There is a curse upon the sailors of the Black Pearl, a curse that can only be broken if every piece of gold from a plundered Aztec chest is restored and the blood repaid. When the Black Pearl attacks Port Royal, Jamaica and takes the governor's daughter, Elizabeth Swann captive, her childhood friend Will Turner allies himself with roguish Captain Jack Sparrow, the former captain of the Black Pearl. Together they plan to save Elizabeth and recapture the Black Pearl.
Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (Shrek, The Mask of Zorro) and others created a script noted for its witty lines and challenge-response jokes. Two examples:
Barbossa: There are a lot of long words in there, Miss; we're naught but humble pirates. What is it that you want?
His supposed dislike of long words is contradicted a few lines later by him saying:
Barbossa: I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request. Means "no".
This suggests to the audience that if he lied about the long words, maybe they aren't "but humble pirates" either.
Norrington: You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of.
Jack: But you have heard of me.
The wordplay was well suited to both Geoffrey Rush's and especially Johnny Depp's unusual style and worked well throughout the film. The script is available here (popup warning).
In interviews, Johnny Depp stated that he had based his persona for Captain Jack Sparrow upon legendary guitarist Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, with some influence from cartoon character Pepe Le Pew.
The Black Pearl exists and is a real ship, one of the last surviving
wooden schooners. It can be found in Ta' Xbiex, Malta.
