Crossbones: Season 1

First of all I could not believe I was seeing such an extraordinary show on network TV. The opening shots of the two ships before they engaged in battle were breathtakingly beautiful, and the battle itself was perfectly directed so I felt threatened sitting at home. From there the sets and locations for this pirate haven were filled with so much action and characters and sets it felt like a real place and a busy one at that with everybody in character doing work and looking authentic while doing so.Then there is the writing which took me to a place I have never been before with this version of Blackbeard. I need to read the book this story is based on. I lived on the Carolina coast and heard many chilling tales about the atrocities he allegedly committed while pillaging there, so I had the impression that he was just a bloodthirsty madman and not much else. Well with John M. playing him he is certainly that but with layers so you are not sure just what you are getting. Intriguing and mesmerizing. So now I am onto actors. This is an astounding cast that has been assembled for Crossbones and what brings all the other parts together. What I am trying to get at is that all the parts to the Crossbones' package are top notch; nothing has been spared to bring this epic to the screen. John M. is as you would expect him to be, and I can see why he signed onto this project, the quality of the parts, and what a part for him to lend his talent to. To make it even better he has an actor in Richard Coyle, and the character of Tom Lowe who we find out is as ruthless and devious as Blackbeard because even though his cover is that of a ship's doctor, he is an English spy. Watching these two actors spar and match wits is the heart of this drama, and because the are both so talented there is an immediacy and intensity to their scenes that had me on the edge of my seat, Just watching these two would be enough for me to recommend Crossbones. The bonus is that everything about this show, including all the other actors, create the perfect setting for their cat and mouse game to play out. This was an impressive first episode.

I like the way John Malkovich portrays the main character--Edward Teach, AKA Blackbeard.He appears to have fun conjuring up Blackbeard's genius, wit, paranoia, dillusion of grandeur and flair for the dramatic.Richard Coyle's role as British spy--Tom Lowe, reminds me just a little of Russell Crowe from Master and Commander.The lady pirates are well-played too. Claire Foy plays Kate Balfour, in charge of Blackbeard's booty, but she falls predictably for Tom Lowe. I forsee nothing but trouble from her character going forward.Yasmine Al Massri plays the part of the smart girl on the island, with her own mind, so I don't know how long she will last in this series.But my favorite piratess is Nenna Ajanlekoko, played fiercely by Tracy Ifeachor. All I can say is that you have to see the way she makes her entrance onto the scene in the first episode. We were rooting for her, even though she was the bad girl!I can't wait to see how much longer Blackbeard lets his guard down in front of Thomas Lowe.John Malkovich's British accent is better than his French accent in Johnny English, or his Russian accent in Rounders.I will be watching episode 2 tonight, and look forward to a great season. The actors are great, so the success of Crossbones rests on the shoulders of the writers. They need to keep the story interesting, avoid too many pirate-story cliches, and keep the action moving, like a good adventure on the high seas.I hope that this will keep me satisfied until James Spader returns in "The Blacklist" this fall.

Inferior to "Black Sails" in almost every way. Most of the action takes place on dry land, indoors. Although the story takes itself seriously, the characters and situations are inauthentic and require a huge amount of suspension-of-disbelief from the viewer.The little activity which takes place on the high seas is filled with glitches and contradictions .... Just a few:--- First there's a fleet, then a few frames later, it turns into just one ship. Explosives blow a huge hole in the side of the ship, below the waterline and we don't see it again; But later, it turns out to have delivered it's main characters to their destination as fast as a modern destroyer.The plot swings wildly back and forth as fortunes constantly go from good to bad and back again.John Malkovich gives a compelling performance .... But not as any Blackbeard I ever read about. He is meticulously well-groomed, erudite, witty and of frail physical presence. Richard Coyle gives a fine performance, as an unbelievable character. As do many other of the actors.Good performances were what made the story redeemable. Although I was tempted to abandon it many times, I have to admit I watched "Crossbones" to its unsatisfying end. Your mileage may vary.

Fantastic product. Great price. Perfect condition. Very happy to add this series to my collection. Malkovich is amazing, and the story is original and very well written. Great cast and production.

Fantastic show; I can't understand why NBC cancelled after only one season! The show is complete within itself though, no cliffhanger frustrations. I found it much more engaging than "Black Sails", there were actually likeable characters albeit flawed. Often, one has to wonder who was really the monster and who the hero. The writing was better than most found on TV; good stories that make one think. Maybe that is why it was cancelled: viewers weren't spoon fed the stories. The acting was exceptional. Malkovich was at the top of his game as Blackbeard, and the rest of the cast was phenominal. Richard Coyle is was a casting coup! His portrayal of Tom Lowe is emmy worthy. He brought so many subtle layers to the character that it makes you scream for another season. Claire Foy does a magnificent job as Kate Balfor. I love a good pirate yarn and this, in my opinion, is one of the best.

John Malkovich was legend and now IMMORTAL!Don't miss this opportunity!

What an interesting and captivating series with John Malkovich as Blackbeard, also with Claire Foy and Richard Coyle and many more good actors and characters. Such a shame that it was cancelled after only one season. Worth the price and a must see for fans and collectors of John Malkovich's works and this genre. Excellent! I started watching the first episode and couldn't stop, so I watched all 9 consecutively....Episodes were approx 42 to 48 minutes long. Loved it! Sure makes you wish there were more...(2014, with English subtitles)

It says season 1 but it a mini series. Those who are disappointed they didn't have a 2nd season failed to note this. The mini series has a beginning, middle and an end. It was very well produced, acted, and filmed as well as written. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I watched the series years ago and enjoyed it so much I ordered it again. Haven't watched a second time.

Loved this show, a shame it was only given one season. So happy to have it in my collection.