Blackbeard

A swashbuckling adventure starring Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward

In April 2005 Living Films started production on our second Hallmark mini-series. This time it was an epic pirate film. The story is loosely based on the life and exploits of the infamous English pirate Edward Teach, better known as Captain Blackbeard. With his crew of wild sailors, he struck fear into the hearts of the inhabitants of the Caribbean in the 18th century.

Amazingly, the movie was shot entirely on location in Southern Thailand. The provinces of Suratthani and Nakorn Si Thammarat were the perfect backdrops for this swashbuckling adventure. A palm tree grove opening unto the Gulf of Siam was turned into the Caribbean city of New Providence from 1717 - a huge set complete with streets and side alleys, a square with a clock tower, a harbor, piers, shops, bars, stables and fields.Over 250 western extras (mostly converted back packers on holiday) were put in period costumes and taught how to use flint lock weapons.

Most of the major marine scenes were actually filmed in a parking lot where we built a life size replica of Blackbeard's pirate ship and placed it on a stage surrounded by 7 story tall green screens.

The film stars Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward, thus reuniting the tragic lovers from the 1980's TV hit "The Thornbirds" after almost twenty years, Stacy Keach from "American History X" and Angus MacFayden from "Braveheart" as Blackbeard.

Principle photography ended on October 6 ahead of schedule and under budget. It premiered worldwide on the Hallmark Channel on September 17, 2005.