Captain Fury (1939) {DVD Review}

Reviewed by Jason S. Lockard

Who doesn't love a good adventure story? Whether it's westerns, superheroes, sci-fi, even horror films that are scary adventures. Movie goers love the roller coaster ride that is a good adventure film. Well, VCI Entertainment has released a Hal Roach adventure film entitled Captain Fury on DVD.

The film follows Irish Captain Michael Fury who is arrested for his political opinions and sent to a massive penal colony in the Australian outback. Many of the prisoners, including Fury are given as slave labor to a thieving governor Arnold Trist, a cruel land owner who uses whipping to keep discipline. Fury uncovers a wicked plot by the governor and decides to do something about it!

While the cast of this film does not feature Hollywood heavyweights, there are some names that even if your not a film aficionado you might recognize. John Carridine, is probably best known for playing Dracula in House of Frankenstein and House of Dracula, George Zucco, played a mad doctor in early horror films and Charles Middleton who play Ming the Merciless in the Flash Gordon serials. This cast lends a sense of realism to the film.

The film moves a little slow at times but has a great blend of action and romance. The cinematography shows great shots of the California countryside that is trying pretend to be Australia. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction by Charles D. Hall.

While a good film it is good to note it is a prototypical western. That is a very niche audience! Either you love them or you don't! So this film is not for everyone. Now the DVD itself features the film digitally restored and it looks amazing. The bonus feature is some trailers of upcoming Hal Roach trailers.

So if your a fan of old westerns this isn't a bad one to add to your collection. Check out Hal Roach's Captain Fury by heading over to to www.SprocketVault.com today. 


Moral Rating: Mild violence
Audience: May be scary for small children
Length: 92 Minutes
DVD Release: 2018
DVD Rating: B