Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Blistering performances.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Is blacknorth right in his review; is this "probably the finest film of the 60's"? In retrospect, that was a golden age, and Stevens' film was close in time to, for example, Dr. Strangelove, Psycho, Chimes at Midnight, Viridiana, or Jules and Jim. Even so, I agree, Hero's Island is superlatively accomplished. I would like to comment on just one aspect of the film that has been ignored by others: its formal perfection. The story of settlers with legal right to an island, versus fishermen claiming squatter's right, is told with utmost clarity and effect, partly due to the logic of its dramatic construction that takes the form of a series of moves across a shoreline, back and forth, according to the phases of the struggle. In brief:--First, the settlers land on the island, unload their goods and raise a large cross to seal their ownership.--Then, a drunk fisherman kills the settler, who falls out into the water, only his feet on land. He is, however, properly buried in his own soil.--A pirate on a raft is washed ashore. Out of self-interest he helps chase the fishermen back to their boat.--The younger fisherman opposes continued fighting and is thrown overboard. The settlers bring him to land.--With money stolen from the settlers, the fishermen brings a brutal officer and bounty hunter from the mainland. With two soldiers, he takes up position on the beach. Here a sword fight eventually resolves the conflict. The fight carries on, from the sand into the water, and onto a boat; as the officer dies here, evil is exorcised from the island.--The pirate flees the scene in a boat, leaving the widow of the settler and one fisherman as the owners of the land. This elementary scheme may not be noticed by the viewer, but the optimal use of minimal means, nevertheless, contributes to the film's strong impact.

Well, this movie seeing the title and description gave me the impression that is was here in NC. And well! Not so much, I like the story! The acting, well the star shines every one else not so much. He makes a good swashbuckler though! Though I feel bad for most of the population enduring that crazed Christian lady. Though I like the period clothing and the campy killings. Now that that's said, this movie is in every way historical-fiction. I worked in the provost where he was held before he was hanged until dead. This in no part reflects in any way his life! He lived a young life! He was 38, This character looks 50. But all in all its not a bad classic film.

It's difficult to fathom the minority negative reviews submitted for this film, as it really is a fine effort, which is certainly different from the run of the mill films of this type. The dialogue suits the period, and definitely lends an authentic touch to the proceedings. The ensemble cast is uniformly excellent, with particularly fine performances from James Mason, Warren Oates, and the ill-fated Kate Manx. The pace of the film is just right, and it proves to be an absorbing tale that retains the viewers attention throughout. Despite the fact that it is rarely seen, these days, it is well worth seeking out. An excellent and underrated film.

My primary comment on this movie has to do with the geography. It supposedly takes place in the "Crown Colony of the Carolinas". There is a scene early on where the husband points to the four points of the compass and declares: greenwood (west), ocean (east), Carolina (south), Cape Fear (north). They identify this place as Bull Island but by his description it is really Oak Island. I lived on Oak Island just south of the Cape Fear River and take my word for it - there ain't no rocks there. The terrain must be Hollywood's vision of what this part of the east coast looks like. It is in what is called the Coastal Plain. There are no cliffs, there are no boulders, there are no rocks. There are sand dunes, salt marshes, and swamps. What's more the beaches face south, not east. James Mason's character is identified as Major Bonnett. There was a local pirate named Stede Bonnett whose exploits are well documented in this area, but to my knowledge no one ever referred to him as "Major".Apart from the geographic inaccuracies, the acting is really disappointing. Despite notable performances from James Mason and a promising cast, the amateur, high school performance of Kate Manx (Kate Who?) the female "star" puts a damper on whatever promise this movie might have had. She must have thanked her lucky stars she was married to the director.