This film DESPERATELY needed editing and a re-write. As a die-hard Python fan, I had to see this movie and really wanted to like it a lot more than I did. Yes, I knew that not all the Monty Pythoners were in it, but many were and I was ready for big laughs. And, there were quite a few big laughs (particularly in the first half of the movie)--making this film better than many other non-Python films made by ex-Pythoners (such as the dreadful JABBERWOCKY and ERIK THE VIKING--yuck!). However, if you are a huge Python fan, the only Pythoner whose part was worth a nickel was the title character, so ably played by Graham Chapman--he was terrific. John Cleese was fine but was only in the movie for a cameo and Eric Idle was never less funny (except in 102 Dalmatians---YUCK!). As for the non-Pythoners, some were exceptional (Madeline Kahn, the Doctor and a few others) and some were so annoying I wanted to kill them (particularly the unfunny Cheech and Chong--who ruined the last 20 minutes of the film). How could the movie, with so many wonderful moments, also go flat so often? Whatever the reasons (other than Cheech and Chong),the movie just failed to deliver and I feel it was a mostly forgettable experience--with some great moments sprinkled in here and there.

Although Yellowbeard with all the Monty Python alumni cast in it, the film gets a lot of other comic talents from both sides of the pond. The only thing that seemed to be missing were some Carry On regulars. Even a most serious actor like James Mason gets into the spirit of it and ironically by playing his role most straight as the Royal Navy captain.

Graham Chapman is the notorious pirate Yellowbeard who was betrayed by his first mate Peter Boyle. But before that Chapman hid his treasure and was then captured by the Royal Navy where he's been in prison for many years.

In the meantime Yellowbeard may or may not have a son who would be Martin Hewitt. His mother has alternated between Yellowbeard being his father or Lord Peter Cook where Hewitt works as a gardener. Madeline Kahn who is the mother was a most generous lass when she was young.

Before long the entire cast is out on a treasure hunt. I count several films with pirate themes spoofed in this film. Even the Masterpiece Theater's First Churchills gets in the act with some brief but hilarious performances by Sussanah York as Sarah Churchill and Peter Bull as Queen Anne who has a flatulence problem.

Cheech and Chong are here as well as representatives of the Spanish Inquisition in the New World. Yellowbeard is a film with something in it for everyone.

Jack Sparrow would feel right at home with this bunch.

Finally! A pirate film even worse than "The Pirate Movie!". Somebody must have spent hours watching every Three Stooges short in an effort to put together this miserably violent supposed comedy that has not one chuckle, chortle or guffaw. When you've got Madeline Kahn, Cheech and Chong, Marty Feldman and John Cleese and can't get one laugh, you know you're in trouble. Add on veterans Peter Boyle, Beryl Reed, James Mason, Susannah York and Peter Cook who seem to be really desperate for work here, given the most humiliating lines and revoltingly sexist gags.

It all concerns a search for abandoned pirate treasure, the map tattooed on the title character's head to the island where it was dropped off. Non-sensical in structure and filled with offensive references to rape, prostitution and decapitation, this is a disaster for all concerned. The most obvious abuse of talent comes with Madeline Kahn who strains for even a grin (although she makes me wonder through her performance how she would have been as "Sweeney Todd's" Mrs. Lovett or "Les Miserables'" Madame Thenardier) and James Mason who ruins any assemblance of dignity reflected by his more than 40 years of film credits with this one bomb.

The bosoms of the ladies of all ages (including the matronly Reid who is defiled by the title character in one tactless scene, fortunately out of view from the camera) are pushed up to the max. Among the few slightly amusing gags (which didn't get laughs, only slight ironic smiles) include a prostitute hidden in an alligator carcass to get aboard Mason's men-only ship, and the reaction to a bratty little girl who gets a well-deserved kick. Other than that, this is a pirate movie that deserves to remain permanently hidden forever in Davey Jones' locker.