Description and Tech Sheet

Steel and swagger. Gold and glory.

Attribute	Description
Title	Captain Blood
Year	1935
Director	Michael Curtiz
Composer	Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Production Budget	US$1,242,000 (equivalent to $28,484,607 in 2024)
Runtime	1:59:22
Aspect Ratio	1.37:1
Black and White / Color	Black and White
Production Notes	Most filmed on sound stage in summer 1935. Exterior scenes like sword fight at Laguna Beach, California. Final battle used 2,500 extras and one of the largest technical crews assembled for a film.
Technical Highlights	Groundbreaking symphonic score, first of its type for a sound film. Utilized matte paintings, process shots, elaborate sets. Battle sequences blended full-scale ships with miniatures. Synchronized sound for cannon fire, dynamic lighting, innovative use of shadows.
Cast	Lead: Errol Flynn as Dr. Peter Blood / Captain Blood Co-lead: Olivia de Havilland as Arabella Bishop Notable: Basil Rathbone
Theatrical Premiere	December 19, 1935
Awards & Nominations	Best Picture Oscar nominee
Home Video Releases	Criterion 4K UHD Blu-ray Distribution: Criterion Spine #1297 – Region FREE – 4K UHD + Blu-ray Special Edition Video 4K: 1.37:1 2160p, HEVC / H.265, Video Bitrate: 93.97 Mbps, Disc Size: 92,618,140,110 bytes, Feature: 90,316,960,512 bytes Video Blu-ray: 1.37:1 1080p, MPEG-4 AVC, Video Bitrate: 35.74 Mbps, Disc Size: 47,417,672,708 bytes, Feature: 35,913,756,672 bytes Audio: LPCM Audio English 1152 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1152 kbps / 24-bit; Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -31dB Subtitles: English (SDH) Features: New 4K digital restoration with uncompressed monaural soundtrack; Audio commentary by Alan K. Rode; 2005 making-of documentary (23:02); Lux Radio Theatre adaptation (58:55); Trailer (3:31); Essay by Farran Smith Nehme DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1, single-sided double-layered, not 16×9 enhanced Audio: Monaural, clean but shrill and thin