Main Cast: Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt, George Rose, Rex Smith
Release Year: 1983
Country: US
Run Time: 112 minutes
MPAA Rating: G
Plot
Joseph Papp's notion of staging one of Gilbert and Sullivan's best-loved operettas with two pop singers (Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith) in the leads paid off as a surprise Broadway smash in the early 1980s, and this film faithfully reproduces Papp's production, featuring most of the original cast and the original director. Frederic (Smith) has been taught since childhood to be a sea-going bandit by the Pirate King (Kevin Kline), but with his 21st birthday imminent, Frederic wants to leave pirating behind, especially after he becomes infatuated with innocent Mabel (Ronstadt). But the Pirate King informs Frederic that since he was born on the last day of February on a Leap Year, his 21st birthday won't roll around for some time yet, and he still owes the King some raiding on the high seas. To Frederic's embarrassment, the Pirate King's next target turns out to be Major General Stanley (George Rose), Mabel's father! The Pirates of Penzance also features Angela Lansbury as Ruth (the sole major casting change from the Broadway production -- Estelle Parsons played the role on stage). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Tony Azito - Sergeant; John Bett; Peppi Borza - Policeman; Romolo Bruni - Captain; Louise Gold - Edith; David Hatton - Samuel; Preston Lockwood - Conductor; G.B. "Zoot" Money - Pirate; Linda Spurrier; Tilly Vosburgh - Daughter; Nancy Wood - Other Daughter; Zulema Dene; Mike Grady - Pirate; Clare McIntyre - Daughter; Carol Macready; Tim Bentinck - Pirate; Teresa Codling - Kate; Maurice Lane - Policeman
Credit
Ernest Archer - Art Director, Alan Cassie - Art Director, Graciela Daniele - Choreography, William Elliott - Conductor, Timothy Burrill - Co-producer, Tom Rand - Costume Designer, Barry Langley - First Assistant Director, Wilford Leach - Director, Anne V. Coates - Editor, Edward R. Pressman - Executive Producer, Gilbert & Sullivan - Composer (Music Score), William Elliott - Composer (Music Score), William Elliott - Musical Arrangement, William Elliott - Musical Direction/Supervision, William Gilbert - Songwriter, Alan Cassie - Production Designer, Elliot Scott - Production Designer, Douglas Slocombe - Cinematographer, Joseph Papp - Producer, Edward R. Pressman - Producer, Peter Howitt - Set Designer, David Hildyard - Sound/Sound Designer, Wilford Leach - Screenwriter, William S. Gilbert - From Musical by, Arthur Sullivan - From Musical by
