In a few months, Disney will release the fourth Pirates Of The Caribbean film in order to make another gazillion pounds and to semi-apologise for the second and third sequels. However, before the first film was released in 2003, the pirate film was literally dead in the water due to one movie, Cutthroat Island.

Today, Cutthroat Island‘s reputation precedes it to such a degree that I’d wager almost none of you have ever chosen to sit down and actually watch it. Instead, you turn your nose up at its very mention, so strong is its synonymy with box office failure and for its having destroyed the careers of almost all those involved in its production.

Upon its release in 1995, Cutthroat Islandwas one of the most expensive films made, with a budget of $115 million. When it only made back $10 million at the U.S. box office, it not only helped bankrupt Carolco Studios (the studio that gave the world Terminator 2), but nearly destroyed the reputation of director, Renny Harlin (Cliffhanger, Die Hard 2), and many of its cast members.