It is the end of the 18th century and smuggling is considered to be a legitimate spare-time occupation for most fishermen around the British shores. But when a gang of cut-throats, led by the infamous Black John (Bernard Lee) begins to lure ships onto the rocks of Smugglers Bay, and murdering their crews for the sake of loot, the fishermen begin to fear for their livelihoods. In desperation, they appeal to the local magistrate Squire Trevenyan (Peter Cushing).
When the wreckers start operating in his local community, it falls to "Squire Trevenyan" (Peter Cushing) to try to stop this ruthless and brutal crime. Thing is, though, when his son "Christopher" (John Fraser) returns home one night with details of who is doing what to whom, his father is suddenly nervous, compromised - but why? Is it just because the lad has a crush on "Louise" (Michèle Mercier) or because he is afraid of her brute of a father "Black John" (Bernard Lee). Anyway, time to send for the Redcoats! It's a standard adventure film this with little jeopardy or anything new as it sails, predictably, towards it's conclusion. Some of the foliage looks a bit out of place - not sure we have palm trees here in the UK, but Cushing still has a little of the charisma needed and Lee makes for a good rumbustious brigand. Though I don't think i will ever recall it, I like the genre and I quite enjoyed this light-weight and busky costume drama.