SNAPSHOT
Our Flag Means Death is loosely based on the true adventures of Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby), a pampered aristocrat who abandons his life of privilege to become a pirate. The series also stars Academy Award winner Taika Waititi as Blackbeard, history’s most feared and revered pirate. Our Flag Means Death is a series created by David Jenkins, also the creator of People of Earth previously. It’s written and produced by David Jenkins, featuring a few episodes directed by Taika Waititi (of Eagle vs Shark, Boy, What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit previously). Executive produced by Taika Waititi, Garrett Basch, and Dan Halsted. (synopsis courtesy First Showing)
I think it’s safe to safe that Taika Waititi can do no wrong.
He has given rom-coms a quirky, awkward funny sheen (Eagle vs Shark), made Thor laugh out loud hilarious while keeping the superhero action alive (Thor: Ragnarok), unvested heart and family into a chase film (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) and re-invented the mockumentary to supernaturally comedic effect (What We Do in the Shadows).
He’s given a humourous satirically incisive edge to World War Two (JoJo Rabbit).
So, why shouldn’t pirates get the treatment too?
Keeping in mind that “Pirating is not for everyone. It’s a really dangerous lifestyle.”, Our Flag Means Death still manages to make an aristocrat’s decision in 1717 to become a pirate looks like the silliest decision anyone has ever made ever.
And we get to watch … and laugh … and hopefully avoiding walking any sort of plank …
Our Flag Means Death premieres on HBO Max on 3 March 2022.