"Anna Maria: Curse of the Black Pearl" The tale of Anna Maria: Curse of the Black Pearl is an epic adventure that takes place in the golden age of piracy. It follows the story of Anna Maria, a fearless and clever pirate who becomes entangled in a dangerous quest for a cursed treasure. Anna Maria, known for her sharp wit and unmatched sword fighting skills, finds herself at the heart of a mysterious legend surrounding the Black Pearl, a mythical ship said to carry a powerful curse. It is said that the cursed treasure, hidden away by the infamous Captain Blackbeard, bestows immortality to those who possess it, but at a great cost. Driven by her thirst for adventure and her desire to prove herself as a legendary pirate, Anna Maria embarks on a treacherous journey to find the Black Pearl and claim the cursed treasure for herself. Along the way, she faces numerous obstacles and battles with dangerous foes, including other rival pirates who are also after the treasure.
Breaking Down Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a fantasy historical film, the first in the franchise about a group of pirates terrorizing the Caribbean in the 18th Century.
Grossing $654.3 million worldwide, the film was one of the most successful of 2003. In this blog, we’re going to break down the plot using Blake Synder’s Save The Cat beat sheet and uncover why it was such as box office hit.
Let’s start with some background about the film.
The trailer
When the announcement was made that production had begun on the film based on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, there was a great amount of skepticism. The teaser trailer hardly showed much of the film. However, the theatrical trailer was released during The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers to capitalize on Orlando Bloom and it soon became clear that this film was going to be something great.
Who wrote Pirates of the Caribbean: The Black Pearl?
The screenplay for Curse of the Black Pearl was written by Ted Elliot & Terry Rossio, who also have story credit along with Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert.
It was directed by Gore Verbinski and starred Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, and Geoffrey Rush. It was released in 2003.
In 2001 Disney asked Jay Wolpert to write a script based on the ride Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland. The script was rewritten in 2002 by Stuart Beattie. It was then rewritten again by Ted Elliot & Terry Rossio. Previous credits from that team include Aladdin and The Mask of Zorro.
One of the elements that Jerry Bruckheimer, a producer on the film, really pushed for was the inclusion of supernatural elements. Meanwhile, Gore Verbinski was simultaneously pushing for historical accuracy and minimizing overt references to the theme ride on which the film is based.
This led to a wonderful collaboration of a supernatural take that feels grounded in the ships and sailing parlance of the time.
The launch of a franchise
Recently, the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise was listed as the 10th highest-grossing franchise of all time. The second film did well though subsequent entries fell short with critics and at the box office, relative to the first film at least. And yet, the sixth entry is currently underway. This film franchise is so good that even after multiple films in the franchise fail to recapture the magic, Disney continues to go back.
The “magic” in the first film is a wonderful combination of classic storytelling and simple setups, executed at the highest level of the craft.
Main characters
The main characters of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl are:
Captain Jack Sparrow
Played by Johnny Depp. He's a pirate who is given command over a ship by his mutinous crew after they're cursed by the treasure they seek.
Will Turner
Played by Orlando Bloom. He's a blacksmith who falls in love with Elizabeth Swann and wants to marry her, but he's unable to because their fathers are enemies.
Elizabeth Swann
Played by Keira Knightley. She is the daughter of Governor Weatherby Swann and Captain William Turner's fiancée; she falls in love with Will Turner.
Captain Barbossa
Played by Geoffrey Rush. He is the captain of the Black Pearl, which Jack Sparrow commandeers after Barbossa's crew mutinies against him; he has been cursed for stealing Aztec gold and seeks more treasure to lift his curse.
Joshamee Gibb
Played by Kevin McNally. He is Jack Sparrow's first mate on the Black Pearl; he helps Jack escape from jail after being arrested for piracy at Port Royal because he owes him a favor from when they were both pirates together before
The performances
Famously, the studio was terrified of the dailies they were seeing of Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow. Was he drunk? Was he gay? They couldn’t tell, and the character remains difficult to define by traditional archetypes. But Depp’s eccentric performance is arguably the main thing everyone remembers about this film.
One of the reasons that Jack Sparrow is memorable is because he’s not the protagonist of the film, and this affords him a bit more “room” to maneuver outside of the demands of the plot. The constant scheming and side-switching keeps the audience on their toes, and it’s something the character of Will Turner (the true protagonist) isn’t able to do.
After the box-office failure of The Country Bears, another film based on a Disneyland attraction, this project was almost scrapped. Michael Eisner himself went to see early work, and when he saw the concept art he told them to keep going ahead. A script was written, but sometimes it takes artists to bring the world to life to really see if something’s going to work or not.
As innovative as it was, particularly with the supernatural angle (and the included VFX that comes with it) the Pirates of the Caribbean follows a very classical structure, with a young man dashing off to rescue his love. It follows the classic Hero’s Journey while still feeling modern. It’s a great testament to the notion that classic structure works well, but the surface needs to be resonant with today’s audiences.
What is the Save the Cat Beat sheet?
If you don’t know it, before reading further, you can check out Blake Snyder’s Save The Cat Beat Sheet here.
You can also read our blog here which explains in more detail where Save the Cat came from and why it’s important. Now let’s apply the Save the Cat formula to Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and see how it works.
Breakdown of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Opening image
A ship sails on the foggy sea, as a young girl sings a pirate shanty on the bow.
Theme stated
Elizabeth Swann, the young girl, says “I still think it would be exciting to meet a pirate…”
Set-Up
Jack Sparrow, a pirate, arrives at Port Royal, around the same time we learn that blacksmith Will Turner is in love with Elizabeth, the governor’s daughter.
Catalyst
Pirates attack Port Royal, and Elizabeth is taken captive.
Debate
Will attempts to persuade Governor Swann and Commodore Norrington to go after her, and he is unsatisfied with their plan.
Break into two
Will springs Jack Sparrow from jail, and the two steal a ship to go after the pirates and Elizabeth.
B story
We learn a bit about Jack’s plan to recapture the Black Pearl.
Fun & games
Will learns about being a pirate and learns more about Jack Sparrow himself. Elizabeth also learns more about Barbossa and his crew of cursed pirates.
Midpoint
At Isla de Muerta, Jack and Will can rescue Elizabeth. But Jack himself is captured.
Bad guys close in
Will and Elizabeth, aboard the Interceptor, attempt to outrun the pirates in the Black Pearl, but the ship catches up with them and a naval battle ensues.
All is lost
Will is captured, and Elizabeth and Jack are marooned on an island.
Keira Knightley and Johnny Depp star as Capitan Jack Sparrow and Elizabeth Swann in the first Pirates film.
Dark night of the soul
After rescue from a large signal fire, Elizabeth agrees to marry Norrington, if they go to rescue Will, who is about to be killed for his blood to lift the pirates’ curse.
Break into three
Jack goes to the Isla de Muerta and convinces the pirates to attack the British, kicking off a full-scale battle on the ship.
Finale
As everyone fights, Jack and Barbossa duel, both being immortal until finally the curse is lifted and Jack shoots Barbossa.
Final image
Jack Sparrow sails off into the sunset, as a pirate.
Jack Sparrow stares off into the distance as he waits for his next adventure.What can we learn from breaking down Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl?
Pirates of the Caribbean inverts the classic damsel in distress rescue plot by placing Elisabeth at the centre of most of the action. Indeed Jack himself is kidnapped reversing this troupe.
Think about how you can invert stereotypes and tropes in your own writing to challenge your viewers' expectations and create suspenseful action sequences where there is genuine jeopardy.
Breakdowns
Along the way, she faces numerous obstacles and battles with dangerous foes, including other rival pirates who are also after the treasure. As Anna Maria delves deeper into the legend, she discovers the true nature of the curse and the sacrifices it demands. With each step closer to the treasure, she must confront her own inner demons and decisions that will shape her future.
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What makes Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl so great? Let's break it down using the Save the Cat formula.
Start writing for free Go to DeskIt becomes a race against time as Anna Maria must navigate through treacherous waters, outsmart her enemies, and ultimately decide whether the cursed treasure is worth the price. Throughout the story, Anna Maria's character develops, revealing layers of vulnerability and strength. Her determination and unwavering spirit inspire those around her, while her cunning tactics and quick thinking save her crew from imminent danger. As the captain of her own ship, Anna Maria exemplifies female empowerment in a world dominated by men, challenging stereotypes and proving that she is just as capable, if not more so, as any male pirate. "Anna Maria: Curse of the Black Pearl" is a thrilling and captivating tale that captures the essence of the pirate era. It combines the thrill of swashbuckling adventures, the allure of hidden treasures, and the complexities of human emotions. It serves as a reminder that sometimes the greatest treasures lie within ourselves, and that the true power of a curse lies in the choices we make..
Reviews for "Anna Maria's Revenge: The Legend of the Black Pearl Curse"
1. John - 1/5 - I really did not enjoy "Anna maria curse of the black pearl." The storyline was convoluted and poorly developed, leaving me confused and uninterested throughout the entire film. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances and lackluster chemistry between the characters. The special effects were disappointing, feeling cheap and cartoonish. Overall, I found this movie to be a waste of time and money.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - "Anna maria curse of the black pearl" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The concept was interesting, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was erratic, with sudden jumps in the storyline that left me feeling disconnected from the plot. Additionally, the dialogue was often cliché and predictable. The performances were mediocre, and I found it difficult to emotionally invest in any of the characters. While it had moments of excitement, the film ultimately left me unsatisfied.
3. Mike - 1/5 - I was highly disappointed by "Anna maria curse of the black pearl." The plot was incredibly predictable, lacking any real surprises or depth. The characters were one-dimensional, making it difficult to care about their fates. The cinematography and visual effects were mediocre at best, failing to create a visually captivating experience. Overall, this film was forgettable and not worth the watch.
4. Emily - 2/5 - "Anna maria curse of the black pearl" had potential as a thrilling adventure film, but it fell short. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments of excitement followed by long periods of stagnation. The storyline lacked originality, relying heavily on clichés and common tropes. The acting, while not terrible, lacked the depth and emotional range needed to fully immerse the audience. Ultimately, this movie failed to fully engage me and left me feeling unsatisfied.