PopHorror Let's Get Scared
It’s been two decades since the world was introduced to the rum-loving Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 2007 [our review]) in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Directed by Gore Verbinski, and written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio and Stuart Beattie, the adventure flick follows the duo of Jack and blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings 2001) as they save the governor’s daughter Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley, Atonement 2007) from a crew of the undead.
One of the best parts of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is the number of iconic one-liners uttered by Jack, whether he’s talking about his favorite beverage or giving Will some dating advice. In celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, we’ve compiled the best 20 quotes from the captain himself.
20. “I’m sorry, it’s just…it’s such a pretty boat.”
Jack Sparrow gives Murtogg (Giles New, Merlin 2012) and Mullroy (Angus Barnett, Finding Neverland 2004), the two somewhat-dimwitted guards of Port Royal, hell as he tries to elude them and commandeer the nearby ship. As they locate Jack and point their guns at him, he gives this apology.
19. “You need to find yourself a girl, mate.”
Upon seeing Will Turner’s vast collection of hand-built swords, Jack Sparrow worries that his new acquaintance doesn’t get out much.
18. “A wedding? I love weddings! Drinks all around!”
Jack Sparrow is always down for a good time and is thrilled to learn about the intended nuptials between Elizabeth Swann and Norrington (Jack Davenport, The Stolen 2017).
17. “Stop blowing holes in my ship!”
Even as Will Turner and the crew attempt to rescue Jack Sparrow from the clutches of Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush, Quills 2000), which involves shooting at the Black Pearl, Jack doesn’t want too much damage done to his beloved vessel.
16. “Clearly, you’ve never been to Singapore.”
When onlookers commend Jack Sparrow for quickly undoing the corset of Elizabeth Swann after lack of air causes her to faint and fall into the water, he makes this statement that’s a little cryptic. Is this a common occurrence in Singapore or…?
15. “Apparently there’s some high-toned and fancy to-do up at the fort, eh?”
Jack Sparrow attempts to make polite chit-chat with the two soldiers at Port Royal, but they’re not having it.
14. “Welcome to the Caribbean, love.”
As Elizabeth Swann stresses over her predicament of being stranded on an island with Jack Sparrow, he’s not too worried about it…as long as there’s rum nearby.
13. “Pride of the King’s Navy, you are.”
As the two soldiers at Port Royal stand helplessly as Elizabeth Swann starts to drown, Jack Sparrow reprimands them for not doing their job.
12. “You’re not a eunuch, are you?”
This is another jibe at Will Turner, who Jack Sparrow fears spends too much time crafting swords, and too little with women.
11. “No survivors? Then where do the stories come from I wonder?”
This eerie statement comes when Jack Sparrow is locked up, and his fellow prisoners are discussing the legend of the Black Pearl.
10. “Stay here and try not to do anything stupid.”
Jack Sparrow might be conniving and deceitful, but he tries his best to watch out for Will Turner, son of Bootstrap Bill Turner (Stellan Skarsgård, Nymphomaniac: Vol. I 2013), as they take on the undead of the Black Pearl.
9. “I may have deserved that.”
It’s revealed that Jack Sparrow is a bit of a player when it comes to his relationships with women. Upon encountering past flings, each smacks him across the face for how he treated them in the past.
8. “I want you to know that I was rooting for you, mate. Know that.”
This is a comedic line that Jack Sparrow says to Norrington after assisting Will Turner throughout the duration of the film.
7. “If you were waiting for the opportune moment, that was it.”
Once again, Jack Sparrow tries to instill his way with women onto Will Turner, who keeps failing in his attempts to woe Elizabeth Swann.
6. “But you have heard of me.”
Norrington goes on a rant about how Jack Sparrow — with his compass that doesn’t point north — is the worst pirate he’s ever heard of. Jack manages to ignore the insults and focus on the positive aspect of the statement.
5. “Son, I’m Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?”
Norrington might not take Jack Sparrow seriously at first, but the captain wants these guys to know that he’s not one to be messed with.
4. “Elizabeth, it never would’ve worked between us darling, I’m sorry.”
We love Jack Sparrow’s delusional moments, including letting Elizabeth Swann down easy…despite her previous and clear rejection of Jack when they were stranded on the island.
3. “Now, bring me that horizon.”
These are the final words spoken by Jack Sparrow before he delves into “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me).” After his near-fatal adventures, including almost being publicly hanged, he’s ready to get back to what he loves most — sailing a ship on the open sea.
2. “Why is the rum gone?”
Jack Sparrow is particularly fond of this alcoholic beverage. Maybe if Elizabeth Swann didn’t use all of it to start a rescue fire, it could’ve worked between them.
1. “You will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow.”
A true classic.
