Note: Only the first two movies are recommended for young children.

The story of St. Patrick is actually a pirate story. At just under the age of 16 he was stolen from his home in England by pirates and taken to Ireland and sold. It must have been terrifying. It was that experience that awakened all he had learned about God and turned his heart to God. God became very real to him. After he finally escaped and managed to get back home to England, he was called by God to return to Ireland to preach the Gospel to the pagans there, sometimes in very dangerous circumstances. He was faithful to fulfill God’s call. To remind us of St. Patrick’s encounter with pirates, why not watch a pirate movie on St. Patrick’s Day? Below are three different pirate movies appropriate for various ages.

The Veggie Tales series of videos, movies, and sing-alongs has grown into a large collection. The talking vegetables have a very unusual way of getting across the teachings of the Bible. Kids love the animation, and adults find the humor of the spoofs and clever lines amusing. Although some Veggie Tale stories are parallels to Bible stories and have references to the Bible, The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything movie just has lessons about overcoming laziness, fear, and lack of confidence. These lessons are all in line with Biblical concepts. According to Focus on the Family’s Plugged In website, the story’s “kind, loving, wise king who cares for his children” can be seen as an allegory for our loving God. You won’t find any crude or profane language, sexual innuendos, drugs, or alcohol. It should be suitable for ages 3 or 4 and up. The movie is 1 hour and 25 minutes in length. Below is a trailer to give you a taste of the movie.

Swiss Family Robinson is a 1960 Disney movie with which most people are probably familiar. The movie is based on the novel by Johann David Wyss that was published in 1812. The story is set in the 1700’s. In the movie the family is on their way to New Guinea when they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. One of the challenges they face in the movie is an attack by pirates, which is absent in the book. The movie does have some violence, since they fight the pirates and kill and injure some. This would probably be a necessary self-defense. The ingenuity of the family in making a suitable home for themselves is an enjoyable part of the story. The overall consensus of parent reviews currently posted on the Common Sense Media website is that the movie is very entertaining. It seemed to work for families with kids as young as age 5, but the website recommends it for ages 8 and up. Since I have read that the age range for the most nighttime fears is actually ages 5 to 8, I would recommend the movie for ages 9 and up. Younger ones might enjoy it at the time but be overcome by fears later when in bed alone. High-schoolers may find it a little boring. The movie lasts 2 hours and 6 minutes. Below is a trailer to give you a preview, in case you haven’t seen the movie or you haven’t seen it for a long time.

One of the good things about old movies is that a much greater percentage of them are without offensive language and shady sexual situations and references, put in an acceptable light. The 1952 movie entitled Blackbeard the Pirate is a rather gruff movie, but it can help us remember that pirates are not “nice people.” The pirates of St. Patrick’s times were ruthless men who didn’t mind killing captives that would be hard to sell. I’m not sure if real pirates say “Arrrrrr,” but it does help make a colorful stereotype.

In this movie a man named Robert Maynard sets out to prove that privateer Henry Morgan is actually a pirate. He decides to go undercover on another pirate ship in order to acquire information about Morgan’s crimes. Unfortunately for Maynard, he picks a ship that has been forcibly taken by the sleazy, obnoxious pirate called “Blackbeard.” Blackbeard had killed the other captain, Captain Bellamy, and had taken the captain’s beautiful bride-to-be Edwina as a captive. Since Morgan also wants Edwina, the situation creates a predicament.

There really was a notorious pirate called “Blackbeard,” who sailed the Atlantic and Caribbean in 1717-1718. His real name was Edward Thatch, or Edward Teach. Also, there really was a man named Robert Maynard, who was asked by the Governor of Virginia to find Blackbeard. His ships closed in on Blackbeard’s ship. Maynard wounded him with pistols, and a soldier then beheaded Blackbeard. You can find more details about Blackbeard’s history on a website called Thought Co.

There is, of course, a lot of fighting in a pirate movie, but in this one they don’t show a lot of wounds and blood. There are a couple of points in the movie where Maynard must help Edwina remove her cumbersome lavish dress. Not to worry. No need to hit the “pause” button. She has a lavish undergarment underneath. After helping with her outer garment, Maynard quickly exits. It’s a refreshing change from the current standards. There is a beheading in the movie, but you don’t actually see it. Although I cringed at the way Blackbeard was about to meet his end, the fact that Maynard said Blackbeard would be waiting for Morgan left room for me to imagine that Morgan might come and possess Blackbeard and take care of him in his own way.

This is not a movie to entertain young children. It’s probably most appropriate for high school age and up. The length of the movie is 1 hour and 39 minutes. You will find a trailer below to give you a sample of the movie.

There are two possibilities for an opportunity for a discussion after the movie. First of all, Edwina’s attendant named Alvina gets drunk early in the movie when Blackbeard keeps coaxing her to have another drink so he can squeeze out information about Edwina. (Alvina is played by Irene Ryan, who later played “Granny” on The Beverly Hillbillies.) After the movie you could say something like this:

Lots of people use St. Patrick’s Day as a time to get drunk. Pirate movies often show the pirates getting drunk.

• Ask Question #1:
  What happened in the movie when the lady-in-waiting named Alvina allowed herself to get drunk?
  [Answer: She gave a way Edwina’s secret about her baggage.]
• Ask Question #2:
  So what is one of the dangers of getting drunk?
  [Answer: You can’t control what you say.]
• Ask Questions #3:
  What are some other dangers of drinking?
  [Answers could include getting hurt, getting into a fight, killing someone while driving under the influence, not remembering things, vomiting, suffering from a hangover, or alcohol poisoning.]
  ( According to Medical News Today, alcohol poisoning happens when the blood alcohol level is so high it is toxic. Confusion, shallow breathing, and passing out are symptoms. It can be life-threatening.)
  In conclusion you could say, “We don’t need to get drunk to have a good time, and if we don’t get drunk we can remember the good time we had. Right?”

The other opportunity for discussion could go like this:

St. Patrick risked his life to spread the Gospel. He would receive rewards that would last forever when he died.

• Ask Question #1:
  What did the pirates risk their lives for? [Answer: Treasures]
• Ask Question #2:
  Would their treasures have any value for them after they were dead? [Answer: No.]
• Ask Question #3:
  Would you rather be St. Patrick or a pirate, and why? [Answer: (Hopefully) St. Patrick. “Why” answers may vary.] You could conclude with some words to turn thoughts to the wisdom of Scripture. “Matthew 6:19-20 says, ‘Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal. . .’ [World English Bible] Sounds wise, doesn’t it?”