If there’s one thing the majority of people would agree on, it’s that pirates are one of the coolest bunch of people to have ever lived on planet Earth.
Some might refer to pirates as evil because they kill and steal. But don’t they look fascinating while doing so? And that is precisely why these bewitching people have gained so much popularity and have become an important part of pop culture. Pirates started making appearances in movies, books, and other visual media in the late 18th century.
This blog post sheds light on the depiction and accuracy of pirates in visual media such as movies, comics, books, and video games. Happy reading!
Pirates in Movies
From Treasure Island and Black Bear Ghost to Pirates of the Caribbean and Muppet Treasure Island, the movies created on pirates are nothing short of brilliant entertainment. Seeing these fascinating characters fighting hard and showing their skills with ropes to attack the ships is truly an incredible experience.
As extraordinary as these fictional characters in the movies are, are they accurate? Let’s look at one example of a famous character and its historical accuracy.
Jack Sparrow in The Pirates of the Caribbean Movies
Played by Johnny Depp, Captain Jack Sparrow is a lovable character who ends up on the side of the good people. Jack Sparrow is smart and can charm his way out of troubles that present themselves to him.
It wouldn’t be unfair to call the depiction of pirates in this movie inaccurate. Jack was a leading member of the Brethren Court, representing the Brethren of the Coast in the late 17th century. In reality, these weren’t pirates but buccaneers and privateers. Moreover, Jack preferred to use his intelligence instead of force and power: a preference that most pirates stayed away from. Other depictions of his characters like turning undead as part of an Aztec curse are inaccurate too.
Pirates in Comics
How to make pirates more interesting? By making them a part of comics, of course. Pirates in comics have grabbed the attention of many kids and adults, sparking an interest in them to learn more about their exciting history.
These fictional characters go on exciting missions to steal and showcase their extraordinary skills. Of course, not all of these fictional characters are evil; some are on the side of the good too. But is that what real pirates are known for? Let’s have a look at an example.
Captain Harlock played a space pirate in the manga series “Space pirate Captain Harlock.” He is known as a fair and deeply moral man. Even though he is a pirate, he doesn’t do much stealing. In fact, he is even good to his enemies, something the real pirates are not known for.
When talking about piracy, most people picture pirates stealing and fighting on the seas. But that’s not accurate, at least not anymore. Being a pirate is a profession, and now, pirates definitely do not shy away from showcasing their skills in space too.
Pirates in Books
Perhaps the most accurate medium about pirates depiction in visual media and their thriller lifestyles is books. One such book is Blackbeard: The Birth of America, written by Samuel Marquis. This book dug deep into the naval lifestyle of the famous golden age of piracy in the 17th century.
The writer focuses on the life and death of Edward Teach, playing the character Blackbeard in his book. Edward had an impact on early American history as well. He was one of the earliest revolutionaries who made a difference in the American Revolutionary war that was faced by North America about 50 years after his death.
Pirates in Video Games
When talking about pirates depiction in visual media, one can’t ignore video games. Perhaps children’s favorite! We don’t get to see a lot of games that adopt an accurate setting of the Golden Age of Piracy, but the famous game, “Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag,” comes the closest. This game portrays a Caribbean setting of the 18th century into fictionalized storylines.
Black Flag introduced the concept of sea travel, making the game even more interesting to play. Players can travel across the Caribbean and visit cities such as Kingston and Havana. Spanish, English, and Pirates are the three main factions present in these areas. Players have the option to either fight or trade with them.
Famous pirates like Blackbeard, Thatch, Calico, Mary Read, and Stede Bonnet cross paths in the game with captain Kenway, the main character in the game.
