The Pirates of Penzance

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The Pirates of Penzance

G

1983

1h 52m

Musical

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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.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Nov 12, 2018

The singing is full and rich, the casting inspired.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Feb 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.

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Janet Maslin

New York Times

Aug 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.

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TV Guide

Oct 24, 2013

3/4

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

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Oct 14, 2005

5/5

Grand operatic fun with dashing Kline and wonderful supporting cast.

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Jul 17, 2005

2/5

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 18, 2026

The Pirates of Penzance = *4* star movie!

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Luna S

@Luna_Snow31 Feb 5, 2026

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...

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 5, 2025

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

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Feb 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

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Autumn M

@RT26919073 Nov 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.

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Jeff B

@RT99883074 Oct 24, 2020

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

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Wilford Leach

Director

Kevin Kline

The Pirate King

Linda Ronstadt

Mabel

Angela Lansbury

Ruth

George Rose

Maj. Gen. Stanley

Rex Smith

Frederic

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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

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