Cutthroat Island

Name: Cutthroat Island
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Released: December 22, 1995
Duration: 124 min
Rating: 37
Cast: Christopher Masterson, Frank Langella, Geena Davis, Jimmie F. Skaggs, Matthew Modine

1995

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

See All

6.6

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6.6	Your Score
6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Cutthroat Island

Now Playing: Cutthroat Island

Movie Details & Credits

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: December 22, 1995 | PG-13

Starring: Christopher Masterson, Frank Langella, Geena Davis, Jimmie F. Skaggs, Matthew Modine, Maury Chaykin, Patrick Malahide, Paul Dillon, Rex Linn, Stan Shaw

Summary: A female pirate and her companion race against their rivals to find a hidden island that contains a fabulous treasure.

Director: Renny Harlin

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 124 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

Cutthroat Island is everything a movie named Cutthroat Island should be, and no more. It is a pirate picture, pure and simple, and doesn't transcend its genre except perhaps in the luxurious production. Leaner and meaner pirate movies have worked more or less as well, but this one gets the job done. Read full review

Susan Wloszczyna

If the sight of half-naked, tattooed sailors firing cannons at each other shivers your timbers, climb aboard. Even passable pirate movies don't sail by every day. [22 Dec 1995, p.3D]

Time Out London Trevor Johnston

Harlin is never a man to shy away from the lure of Very Big Explosions, and, on a technical level, the spectacle's impressive. The only actor to make much of an impact is Malahide's colonial officer, who extracts tart irony from the merest crumbs. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Cutthroat Island is a bloated, jokey production whose motto, no doubt tattooed on the back of some poor assistant director's neck, could well be, When in doubt, blow something up. Read full review

Janet Maslin

Cutthroat Island proves too stupidly smutty for children, too cartoonish for sane adults and not racy enough for anyone who regards Ms. Davis in a tight-laced bodice as its main attraction. The only serious incentive for seeing this spectacle is a fascination with extravagance, since Cutthroat Island is indeed scenic, hectic and big. Read full review

Rita Kempley

There's not much adventure on these high seas. This buccaneering boondoggle is more like a slow voyage aboard the PMS Pinafore. [22 Dec 1995, p.C06]

Desson Thomson

It takes a two-hour act of will to keep facing the screen during this moribund movie. Every cliffhanger is enough to make you a cliff jumper. Davis and Modine are almost transcendentally unappealing, as they weather dull sword fights, ship-to-ship exchanges and other action-movie banalities. Read full review

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Kaaizen

Feb 12, 2021

One 9f the best pirate movies every, Davis is 9ne of the best female pirates ever...!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Jason5

Mar 28, 2021

This is movie is underrated, there is lot of action and although a little cheesy, some great adventure scenes. Geena Davis is fantastic in it, strong and carefree leader of seamen. So refreshing not to always watch a film where the woman is being rescued by men in tights and mask. She savesThis is movie is underrated, there is lot of action and although a little cheesy, some great adventure scenes. Geena Davis is fantastic in it, strong and carefree leader of seamen. So refreshing not to always watch a film where the woman is being rescued by men in tights and mask. She saves her men and fights and kills the main enemy to take the treasure. Great Sunday home movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MeteoraLP

Aug 15, 2023

A Nautical Adventure that Sets Sail with Charm and Excitement

"Cutthroat Island" takes audiences on a swashbuckling voyage filled with action, camaraderie, and a hearty dose of wit. Geena Davis commands the screen as Morgan Adams, a bold pirate with her sights on buried treasure. Davis'sA Nautical Adventure that Sets Sail with Charm and Excitement

"Cutthroat Island" takes audiences on a swashbuckling voyage filled with action, camaraderie, and a hearty dose of wit. Geena Davis commands the screen as Morgan Adams, a bold pirate with her sights on buried treasure. Davis's portrayal brings depth and magnetism to the character, drawing us into her high-stakes pursuit.

The film captures the essence of classic pirate escapades, delivering exhilarating sword fights, daring escapes, and captivating seafaring scenes. The chemistry between Davis and Matthew Modine lends authenticity to their characters' partnership, infusing the story with camaraderie and humor.

"Cutthroat Island" deftly navigates between heart-pounding action and moments of levity, striking a balance that keeps the adventure engaging. The interplay between Morgan and her deceitful uncle adds layers of intrigue, heightening the personal stakes of the treasure hunt.

While the film embraces familiar pirate genre tropes, it does so with a modern twist, injecting unexpected humor and clever plot developments. The lush cinematography transports viewers to a bygone era of exploration and discovery, further enriched by meticulous period details and vibrant costumes.

Ultimately, "Cutthroat Island" sails as a spirited escapade that embraces its seafaring heritage. Geena Davis's magnetic performance, coupled with a touch of family drama and a healthy dose of swashbuckling, makes this film a captivating addition to the world of cinematic adventure.

If you're ready to embark on a thrilling journey complete with action, companionship, and a quest for riches, "Cutthroat Island" is your ticket to a rollicking good time!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilipeNeto

Mar 17, 2018

In this film two pirates will compete against each other to find a great treasure, waiting hidden in a infamous island. Directed by Renny Harlin, it has a script by Robert King and Marc Norman. It features a cast led by Geena Davis, Matthew Modine and Frank Langella.

Before "Pirates of theIn this film two pirates will compete against each other to find a great treasure, waiting hidden in a infamous island. Directed by Renny Harlin, it has a script by Robert King and Marc Norman. It features a cast led by Geena Davis, Matthew Modine and Frank Langella.

Before "Pirates of the Caribbean" were rare pirate films that had some success. This was just another movie that tried unsuccessfully to popularize these genre, leading to bankruptcy the company that filmed it. Lots of action (sometimes too much, making the film a comedy of improbabilities), a few jokes with greater or lesser sense of humor, a good mix between a villain bad as snakes and a very attractive heroine and... bingo! We have a pirate movie that manages to entertain without delight or become memorable.

Geena Davis was quite regular in her role, but not enough to make the movie of her life. Matthew Modine seems to have been chosen for the role to be cute, he's not a remarkable actor. Langella turns out to be the heaviest actor in the cast, though he has only "grown" after doing it. And he did a good performance, making his character worthy of our anger. Shot in the Mediterranean and the Indian seas, this film has a series of visually appealing scenarios and memorable scenes because of its visual beauty. Boats built for the movie are replicas romanticized of eighteenth century ships, and are beautiful to behold. The special, visual and sound effects worked without stand out. The soundtrack is excellent and, speaking only about pirate movies, its second only to "Pirates of the Caribean".

In short, although this movie is far from being a masterpiece, its very good in entertaining the public for a few hours.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 5 REVIEWS