The Pirates of Penzance

Play trailer

The Pirates of Penzance

G

1983

1h 52m

Musical

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Frederic (Rex Smith), who has spent his formative years as a junior pirate, plans to mark his 21st birthday by breaking free from the Pirate King (Kevin Kline) and beginning his courtship of Mabel (Linda Ronstadt). But because he was born on Feb. 29, a date that only arrives every fourth year, Frederic isn't technically 21 -- and the Pirate King is still his master. Unless something gives, Frederic will soon be on a collision course with the Pirate King's new nemesis: Mabel's father.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Bob Thomas

Associated Press

11/12/2018

The singing is full and rich, the casting inspired.

Go to Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

02/23/2012

Gilbert & Sullivan's durable The Pirates of Penzance has been turned into an elaborate screen musical by basically the same hands responsible for Joseph Papp's smash New York Shakespeare Festival and Broadway stage production, and result is a delight.

Go to Full Review

Janet Maslin

New York Times

08/30/2004

2.5/5

There are too many attempts to single out particular performers when ensemble acting ought to prevail. That doesn't mean the leading players aren't appealing and accomplished, because they are.

Go to Full Review

TV Guide

10/24/2013

3/4

The cast is charming, the sets intentionally stagy, and the musical performances fine.

Go to Full Review

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

10/14/2005

5/5

Grand operatic fun with dashing Kline and wonderful supporting cast.

Go to Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

07/17/2005

2/5

Read all reviews

Luna S

@Luna_Snow31 Feb 5

It is so good and the voices are to die for.... the songs and all the actors are awsome at their job and the best! Would 100% suggest...

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 5

Success in 1 hour and 52 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

02/18/2023

Not one of my favorites It's quite long But the cast is committed to the singing and staging The general song was my favorite cause of the amazing timing

See more

Autumn M

11/20/2022

Pirates of Penzance is a delightful little musical about pirates. The music is very enchanting and the performance by Kevin Kline was great. Recommended.

See more

Jeff B

10/24/2020

Incredibly long and unremarkable songs. The longer I watched, the worse it got.

See more

08/30/2020

This movie is a classic. From the pirates to the general all of the cast is wonderful. The music is really cool. A must watch & keep for a time when you really need to be brought up if down.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Wilford Leach

Director

Kevin Kline

The Pirate King

Linda Ronstadt

Mabel

Angela Lansbury

Ruth

George Rose

Maj. Gen. Stanley

Rex Smith

Frederic

Jesus Christ Superstar

50%

76%

Jesus Christ Superstar

Watchlist

Sweet Charity

80%

73%

Sweet Charity

Watchlist

Godspell

63%

71%

Godspell

Watchlist

Oliver!

90%

81%

Oliver!

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Oliver!

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Frederic (Rex Smith), who has spent his formative years as a junior pirate, plans to mark his 21st birthday by breaking free from the Pirate King (Kevin Kline) and beginning his courtship of Mabel (Linda Ronstadt). But because he was born on Feb. 29, a date that only arrives every fourth year, Frederic isn't technically 21 -- and the Pirate King is still his master. Unless something gives, Frederic will soon be on a collision course with the Pirate King's new nemesis: Mabel's father.

Director: Wilford Leach
Producer: Timothy Burrill, Joseph Papp
Screenwriter: Wilford Leach
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 18, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 11, 2015
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now