FILM & REVIEW Hammer is best known for its classic horror movies but they also diversified into other genres including the pirate one. They made Pirates of Blood River which wasn’t very good - budget meant it was all filmed in a park in Berkshire and it showed but this is much more like it . Set during the Spanish Armada it the tale of the pirate ship The Diablo captained by Robeles (Lee) who only signed up for plunder and with the Armada destroyed intend to return to their previous occupation. The ship is in need of repairs so lands near an obscure village and relying on the real news not having arrived yet claim the Spanish were victorious and the village is under the woke of the Empire. The locals are set to work but some suspect the truth and are aided by a proper Spanish officer (Warren) who wants no part in future piracy . It opens with a full bloodied sea battle out of Errol Flynn with enough brawls, swordfights, hangings and floggings to keep it rattling along. Lee is excellent as the black hearted pirate and said it one of his favourites to make with an solid cast of English thesps on board - it’s terrific stuff - 4/5