Tag Archives: Black Sails

“I’m gonna make you Princes of the New World.”

Posted by M - on

That quote is from Black Sails. Declared by Captain Flint (played by Toby Stephens) at the end of Episode 1, the power behind its delivery gives me goosebumps every time. Although the series was written to be a prequel to Treasure Island, it includes real-life historical figures such as: Charles Vane, John “Calico Jack” Rackham, Anne Bonny, Woodes Rogers, Isreal Hands, Edward Low, Benjamin Hornigold, and Edward Teach (“Blackbeard”).

I’m also re-watching another series about the construction of the first transcontinental railroad: Hell on Wheels. Both series are excellently written, acted, and contain Anti-Heroes. (In fact, there’s more than one in Black Sails, but my heart belongs to Captain Vane.)

However, there’s one glaring different between the two: Celluloid Glamour. The sets (and/or costumes) of certain cinematic treasures oftentimes, for me, override the story itself. It is the visuals that transport me: The Magick of Cinematic Immersion – and I become fully immersed in the Golden Age of Piracy.

Republic of Pirates
New Providence, Nassau

The Inn

Love all the lush greenery.

Hanging bird cages & lanterns would be at home in any outdoor room.

The palms, golden walls & sunlight scream “Summertime” to me.

Max & Idelle’s rooms

Max’s room is sumptuously appointed.

Curtained bed & candles. Sigh…
Imbolc is a Fire festival

The colors on the walls & decor are so rich,
and I love the “shabbiness” of it all.
The imperfections are perfect.

Captain Charles Vane (Zach McGowan) and
Anne Bonny (Clara Paget)

Gilded mirrors add a touch of richness anywhere.

I even love the tattered shutters.
Perfection is so over-rated and uninspiring.

Miranda Barlow’s house
She lives in the interior of the island
with her books, garden, and harpsichord – a favorite instrument of mine.

Not quite as luxurious and colorful as The Inn, the candlelight gets me every time.
Plus, she’s labeled a Witch by the nearby townsfolk.

Eleanor Guthrie
I’ve saved the best for last.
Eleanor’s office at The Inn is by far my favorite.

That mirror is simply stunning.
Very ornate bird cages decorate many of the rooms. (I want one.)

Candlelit, the entire room takes on a warm, golden glow.

ℳ –

Aargh!

Posted by M - on

Tonight’s Post is brought to you courtesy of the Internet.

Background
As far as title sequences go, Black Sails is my #1 favorite
– not only visually, but for its theme song.*

After being introduced to the title sequence of Westworld (the series), I went digging around for more details after one image caught my attention,

and ran across an interesting site that showcases a variety of movies/series: Art of the Title. While there, I searched to see if they had anything on Black Sails. They did:

The work of Kris Kuksi was just one of the inspirations behind the (CGI) sculpture.

From Wikipedia:

"The opening title sequence was made by Imaginary Forces**
...with the backing sea shanty inspired theme composed by 
Battlestar Galactica and The Walking Dead composer Bear
McCreary. 

It accurately features an instrument of the period in the form 
of the hurdy-gurdy."

Season Four of Black Sails debuts January 29, 2017 – without Vane (who was hanged in Season Three). Waxing nostalgic for Charles, I re-watched the first episode where Captain Flint (played by Toby Stephens) delivers two of the best quotes in the entire series:

"He means to make us monsters - 'cause that's the only way his 
god-fearing, tax-paying subjects can make sense of men who keep 
what is theirs and fear no one. When I said there's a War 
coming...Civilization is coming and it means to exterminate us."
- Flint (to Billy Bones)

"I'm not just gonna make you rich. I'm not just gonna make you
strong. I'm gonna make you Princes of the New World!"
- Flint (to the crew of The Walrus)

 

ℳ –

*Game of Thrones’ intro appears to have top-billing to-date. It is visually-stunning and will be discussed in a future Post.

**Credited also for the opening sequence of Mad Men.

Charles Vane – R.I.P. (spoiler alert)

Posted by M - on

I don’t watch television – I don’t get the point of it.  I’ll watch an occasional movie on DVD – but I made a HUGE exception for Black Sails:

  1. Strong female lead characters – you may get 1 (if you’re lucky) in a series, but 3 is a rarity:  Eleanor Guthrie, Anne Bonny, and Max
  2. Bonus that the 1st episode provided me with the quintessential rock band:
    Drums: (Long) John Silver
    Bass: Anne Bonny
    Guitar:  Charles Vane
    Singer/frontman:  John Rackham
  3. “Winky” shots (nice they kept us ladies in mind when they doled out the nudity)
  4. Charles Vane – the feline grace, the throaty rasp of a voice, the soul of a romantic. He’s the character I came back for episode after episode (and the man of my dreams) – and now they’ve killed him off…

Captain Charles Vane (Zach McGowan)

Starz pretty much ripped out the heart & soul of Black Sails; and I have to admit the romantic in me really wanted Eleanor & Charles to burn up the screen once more…sigh…

Black Sails' Vane and Eleanor

I guess it’s time to ditch the series and hunt down my OWN Captain Vane.

M –