“Dead men tell no tales”? Perhaps not.
The story behind those dead men is one of the most fascinating tales in theme-park history. Now the history of how the most un-Disney of ideas (bloodthirsty pirates looting and pillaging as family entertainment?) became Disney’s most celebrated attraction has been told in a book as beautiful and detailed as the attraction itself. Jason Surrell — author of the definitive work on “The Haunted Mansion” — has outdone himself with the even more essential “The Pirates of The Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies” (Disney Editions, November 2005) a must-have for any fan of those Audio-Animatronic adventurers.
I first met Jason Surrell while working as an entertainment supervisor at Universal Orlando in the late 1990s. Jason was the show writer and director who was responsible for many of the shows that gave Universal its reputation for cutting-edge live entertainment. Most notably, he scripted the glory years of the infamous “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” (know to many as “back when B&T was funny”). When Jason left for a dream job with Disney Imagineering, it was Universal’s loss, and Disney’s substantial gain. Over the years, he has contributed to screenplays, show scripts, and books, all of which demonstrate his wit, imagination, and deep respect for Disney history.
These qualities are on ample display in his handsome new book detailing the long and twisting history of “Pirates of the Caribbean”. From the early concept of a walk-through wax-museum, through the protracted construction of Anaheim’s New Orleans Square, through the uncertain era following Walt’s death, Surrell explores the myths, rumors, and facts surrounding the legendary attraction’s genesis. In much the same format as the “Haunted Mansion” book, he explores the original ride’s development, from concept to construction, its export to Magic Kingdoms around the world, and the changes and upgrades introduced over the years. There is even a candid yet balanced look at the controversial 1997 rehab, which introduced the “Politically Correct Pirates of the Caribbean.” I was especially intrigued by the depictions of the Disneyland Paris version of the ride, which reverses the storyline of the original. The text is comprehensive and respectful, but also funny and honest, and everything is illustrated with unique images from the Disney archives.
For me, the weakness of the “Haunted Mansion” book was its section on the 2003 Eddie Murphy film, though not due to any fault of the author. The film was a critical and commercial failure, and aside from the beautiful production design (amply documented in the book) there was really nothing more I wanted to know about it. Thankfully, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” was a hit with audiences and critics, and its creation is story worth telling. From the decade-long development hell the script suffered through, to the insightful interviews with Johnny Depp and others, the section on the film is just as interesting as that on the ride. Of particular interest are details on Disney executives’ initial discomfort with Depp’s performance, the challenge of shooting in the Caribbean, and development of the CGI effects. Much of this material is familiar from the DVD bonus features, but the detailed text and beautiful concept paintings make it a worthwhile read.
This past weekend, I was able to catch up with Jason at a signing to commemorate the book’s release. He’s justifiably proud of the new book, saying he’s pleased that he had time to do even more research than for the exhaustive “Haunted Mansion” book. The book concludes with some tantalizing hints for the future of “Pirates”, and while he couldn’t reveal anything, we can expect some new surprises when the ride returns from rehab next year (though the blue-sky proposal to turn Orlando’s unload and lift hill into a new show scene looks to have been ruled out as cost-prohibitive). The same is true of the Haunted Mansion; Jason says Imagineering’s philosophy is that if a ride is going to be taken down for rehab, it should come back with enhancements. Let’s hope that means Disneyland’s new floating Leota (Jason contributed the spell book that accompanies this impressive effect) makes it to the east coast next year.
My only complaint is that book drops tidbits that leave you hungering for more. For example, the chessboard in Orlando’s queue is mentioned but there is no close-up photo to allow us to finally examine the stalemate Marc Davis devised. I also would have liked a little more technical detail on how the original AA’s were built with 1960’s technology, and exactly how they’ve been upgraded over the years (particularly the workings of the Paris swordfighters).
But this is a minor nit, born of the conflict between my obsession with minutia, and the practical limits of space. The bottom line is that “The Pirates of The Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies” is an essential buy for any fan, casual or obsessive. Both it and the “Haunted Mansion” volume belong on every Disneyphile’s bookshelf.
Now, everyone sing along with me: “Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me…”
Seth Kubersky (left) with author Jason Surrell