Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
A bearded man with long hair stands on a beach. He wears a red bandanna, a dark blue vest with a white shirt underneath and black pants, and attached to his belt are two guns and a scarf. A ship with flaming sails is approaching from the sea. On the background, three mermaids are sitting on a rock. The names of the main actors are seen atop the poster, and the film credits are at the bottom. Promotional poster
Directed by	Rob Marshall
Screenplay by	Terry Rossio Ted Elliott
Produced by	Jerry Bruckheimer
Starring	Johnny Depp Penélope Cruz Ian McShane Geoffrey Rush
Cinematography	Dariusz Wolski
Edited by	Michael Kahn
Music by	Hans Zimmer
Production companies	Walt Disney Pictures Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Distributed by	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release dates	May 18, 2011 (2011-05-18) (United Kingdom) May 20, 2011 (2011-05-20) (United States/Canada)
Running time	137 minutes
Country	Template:Film US Template:Film UK
Language	English
Budget	$150–250 million
Box office	$809,051,054

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a 2011 adventure fantasy film and the fourth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. In the film, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is joined by Angelica (Penélope Cruz) in his search for the Fountain of Youth, confronting the infamous pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). The plot draws inspiration from the novel On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers, which also inspired the LucasArts game The Secret of Monkey Island. It was directed by Rob Marshall, written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

The film was distributed by Walt Disney Pictures and released in the United Kingdom and Italy on May 18, 2011, in Australia on May 19, 2011, and in the United States and Canada on May 20, 2011. The release was presented in Disney Digital 3-D and IMAX 3D, as well as in traditional two-dimensional and IMAX formats. The film was first announced in 2008 and principal photography started in June 2010. The release was the first in the series to be directed by Rob Marshall and not Gore Verbinski. It was also the first movie in the series which featured fictional versions of historical characters such as Blackbeard, George II of Great Britain, Henry Pelham, John Carteret and Ferdinand VI of Spain. It was the first Pirates of the Caribbean film to be released in 3D and Jerry Bruckheimer's second 3D film, following the 2009 movie G-Force. It was also the fifth Disney film to use Dolby 7.1 surround sound. While previous films in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise have been filmed in the Caribbean Sea, On Stranger Tides was filmed mainly in Hawaii.

Plot

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is in London, England to find the person who has been impersonating him. The impostor has reportedly been recruiting a crew to search for the legendary Fountain of Youth. First Sparrow rescues his former first mate, Joshamee Gibbs (Kevin McNally), who is about to be hanged. The two are captured, and Jack is brought before King George II (Richard Griffiths), who wants him to guide an expedition to the Fountain before the Spanish find it. Heading the expedition is Jack's old nemesis, Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), now a privateer in service to the British Navy after having lost Jack's ship, the Black Pearl, as well as his leg.

Jack escapes, and is found by his father, Captain Teague (Keith Richards), who warns Jack about the Fountain's tests. Jack soon discovers that the impostor is Angelica (Penélope Cruz), his former lover and daughter of the ruthless pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), who possesses supernatural powers and practices voodoo magic. Jack is forced to join Blackbeard's crew and to lead them to the Fountain. Meanwhile, Gibbs, who memorised, then destroyed, Sparrow's map, barters with Barbossa to lead him and his crew to the Fountain.

Aboard Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, Jack learns that the Fountain's water must be drunk simultaneously from two silver chalices once belonging to Juan Ponce de León. The person drinking from the chalice containing a mermaid's tear has their life extended, while the other person dies, their years of life drained from their body. Blackbeard intends to use the Fountain's power to circumvent his fated fatal encounter with a one-legged man, and sets a course for Whitecap Bay. There he traps a mermaid (Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey) that Philip Swift (Sam Claflin), a captive missionary, falls in love with and names Syrena. Blackbeard then sends Sparrow to retrieve the chalices from de León's grounded ship. Sparrow arrives finding only Barbossa: the Spanish have already taken the chalices.

Barbossa only wants revenge against Blackbeard for having captured the Black Pearl, that forced Barbossa to amputate his own leg to escape. He and Jack plot to defeat Blackbeard, then steal the chalices from the nearby Spanish camp. Meanwhile, Syrena, who returns Philip's love, is tricked into shedding a tear, which Blackbeard collects, then leaves her to die while forcing Philip to go with him. Sparrow returns with the chalices and Gibbs, who he had reunited with while helping Barbossa. Jack negotiates with Blackbeard to return his confiscated magical compass and to free Gibbs in exchange for the chalices and his leading them to the Fountain. Blackbeard agrees, and Gibbs departs with Jack's compass.

At the Fountain, Blackbeard and his crew are attacked by Barbossa and also the Spanish, sent by their king to destroy the Fountain, believing its power is an abomination against God. After an intense battle, Barbossa stabs Blackbeard with a poison-laced sword, but Angelica is also wounded by it. Barbossa claims Blackbeard's magical sword, and assuming command, leaves with Blackbeard's crew. Philip, mortally wounded, escapes and returns to free Syrena. After finding the chalices that the Spaniards tossed into deep water, Syrena gives them to Jack, then retrieves the dying Phillip, taking him underwater to heal him.

Angelica intends to sacrifice herself for her father, but Jack deceives them, and Angelica unknowingly drinks from the chalice containing Syrena's tear, thus killing Blackbeard and saving her. Although they declare their love, Jack, knowing she may avenge her father's death, strands her on an island, intending for a passing ship to pick her up. Jack then finds Gibbs, who used Jack's compass to locate the Revenge and retrieve all the captured ships that Blackbeard had magically shrunk and bottled, including the Black Pearl. The two head off, hoping to find a way to return the Pearl to its original size.

In a post-credits scene, Angelica, still on the island, finds Blackbeard's voodoo doll of Jack, which has washed ashore.

Cast

Main article: List of Pirates of the Caribbean characters

• Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, the former captain of the Black Pearl who is now in search of the Fountain of Youth.
• Penélope Cruz as Angelica, Blackbeard's supposed daughter and First Mate and Sparrow's former love interest.
• Ian McShane as Edward "Blackbeard" Teach, the pirate captain of the Queen Anne's Revenge who wants to escape a prophecy by finding the Fountain of Youth.
• Geoffrey Rush as Captain Hector Barbossa, a former pirate captain; now a privateer in the court of King George II and captain of the HMS Providence.
• Kevin McNally as Joshamee Gibbs, Sparrow's former First Mate and best friend.
• Sam Claflin as Philip Swift, a stalwart missionary.
• Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey as Syrena, a mermaid.
• Greg Ellis as Lt. Cmdr. Theodore Groves, Barbossa's First Officer
• Damian O'Hare as Lieutenant Gillette, Barbossa's Second Officer
• Stephen Graham as Scrum, a pirate serving on the Queen Anne's Revenge.
• Óscar Jaenada as The Spaniard, head of the Spanish Secret Service seeking to destroy the Fountain of Youth
• Gemma Ward as Tamara, the antagonistic queen mermaid who tries to lure sailors to their death.
• Richard Griffiths as King George II, King of Great Britain
• Bryson Carvalho as Kales Kamen, Blackbeard's Guide and Advisor.
• Keith Richards as Captain Teague, Captain Jack Sparrow's father.
• Judi Dench as a noblewoman
• Derek Mears as the Master-at-Arms
• Sebastian Armesto as King Ferdinand VI, the ruler of the Spanish Empire.
• Anton Lesser as Lord John Carteret.
• Roger Allam as Henry Pelham, the Prime Minister of Great Britain.
• Paul Bazely as Salaman
• Gerard Monaco as Spanish Captain

Production

Development

Shortly before the premiere of At World's End, Jerry Bruckheimer stated it was the end of the trilogy, but the idea of a spin-off was still possible. After the film's successful opening weekend, Dick Cook, former Chairman of Walt Disney Studio Entertainment, said he was interested in a fourth installment. On September 25, 2008, during a Disney event at the Kodak Theater, Cook and Johnny Depp, in full Captain Jack Sparrow costume, announced that a fourth Pirates movie had been put into development.

In June 2009, Jerry Bruckheimer stated Disney would prefer the fourth installment of Pirates be released before The Lone Ranger film, which he, Johnny Depp, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio had been working on for release on May 20, 2011. He also hoped Gore Verbinski would return to direct after his BioShock film adaptation had been put on hold. Rob Marshall entered negotiations to direct in August 2009, and was confirmed as the director on November 17, 2009. Hollywood Elsewhere announced a possible steampunk flair in the fourth installment. On September 11, 2009, at Disney's D23 convention, the title was announced as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

In September 2009, Dick Cook resigned after working for Disney for over 38 years. The circumstances of his resignation are unknown, but most speculate he resigned over his conflicting business tactics with CEO Bob Iger. Iger sought out "new ways of doing business", while Cook remained a traditionalist. After Cook's resignation, Johnny Depp's faith in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides had somewhat shaken, with Depp explaining that "There's a fissure, a crack in my enthusiasm at the moment. It was all born in that office". Depp also explained Cook was one of the few who accepted his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow, claiming that "When things went a little sideways on the first Pirates movie and others at the studio were less than enthusiastic about my interpretation of the character, Dick was there from the first moment. He trusted me."

Writing

A bearded man wearing black clothes points his sword at the viewer.

Disney's depiction of Blackbeard, an element used from Tim Powers' novel.

On October 7, 2009, author Tim Powers confirmed that Disney bought the rights of his novel, On Stranger Tides, in April 2007. The script was written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, who wrote the whole Pirates trilogy, and Rossio has stated that they will use elements from the novel, particularly Blackbeard and the Fountain of Youth, but the film would not be a straight adaptation. Initial rumors stated the story had Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa meeting up in the newly founded New Orleans, before they sail to find the Fountain of Youth together. A production spokesman debunked the rumors, saying that the synopsis is different and even though location scouts visited New Orleans, production would occur in Hawaii and the United Kingdom.

Casting

Two men and a woman stand on a ship's deck, while two other men are seen in the background.

Newly added cast members Penélope Cruz (left) and Ian McShane (right) interact with Johnny Depp (center), reprising his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.

Depp signed on to return as Captain Jack Sparrow in September 2008, saying that he would come back if the script was good. Almost a year later, Disney announced that Depp would be paid $55.5 million to return as Captain Jack Sparrow, realising that without him the franchise would be "dead and buried." Geoffrey Rush expressed interest in returning to his role as Barbossa, and Bruckheimer later confirmed his presence. Greg Ellis has confirmed that he will be back as Lt. Theodore Groves, and Bruckheimer confirmed that Kevin McNally will be back as Joshamee Gibbs. Previous cast members Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley stated that they would not reprise their roles as they wanted to be involved in different films, and that they thought the Will/Elizabeth storyline had gone as far as it could. On February 5, 2010, Mackenzie Crook also announced he would not be reprising his role of Ragetti, stating, "They haven't asked me. But actually I don't mind that at all. I'm a fan of the first one especially and I think the trilogy we've made is great. I'd almost like them to leave it there."

New cast members include Ian McShane, confirmed to play the notorious pirate and new nemesis Blackbeard, and Penélope Cruz, confirmed to play Angelica, Captain Jack Sparrow's love interest in the film. Cruz's character was previously described as "Jack Sparrow's foil and equal in many ways". Stephen Graham was confirmed to play Scrum, a Machiavellian pirate, and be the sidekick to Captain Jack Sparrow. On April 14, 2010, Spanish-French actress Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey was confirmed to play a mermaid named Syrena. Australian supermodel Gemma Ward was confirmed to play Tamara, the villainous Queen of the Mermaids on June 13, 2010. Casting for mermaids required the actresses to have natural breasts, no implants, as Bruckheimer explained to EW, “I don’t think they had breast augmentation in the 1700s [...] So it’s natural for casting people to say, ‘We want real people.'” On April 16, 2010, Sam Claflin was confirmed to play a missionary named Philip, and on May 25, British actor Paul Bazely was confirmed in the cast. Keith Richards reprised his role as Captain Teague from At World's End, and he and Depp tried to persuade Mick Jagger to audition for a pirate elder. Spanish news website El Pais reported that the film had a total of four Spanish actors, which include Penélope Cruz, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, Óscar Jaenada, and Juan Carlos Vellido.

Filming

A man wearing a white shirt, a black vest and a red bandanna, along with a woman wearing a dark blue jacket and hat and a white shirt, walk along a river in a jungle.

Johnny Depp (left) and Penélope Cruz (right) in Hawaii, the set featured in the majority of the film.

Principal photography began on June 14, 2010 in Hawaii. Filming was scheduled to move to California in August 2010, and some scenes were filmed at Pinewood Studios in London.

The film's budget was limited to $150 million, half the cost of At World's End. According to the Los Angeles Times, Disney decided to cut many costs which included moving primary production to Hawaii and London, where tax credits are more favorable, and having a shorter shooting schedule and number of scenes featuring special effects compared to At World's End.

On May 17, 2010, Rich Ross confirmed that Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides would be shot and released in 3D. On June 15, the first pictures of Blackbeard's ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, were revealed. On June 21, it was announced that production would be occurring simultaneously in Hawaii, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, on the island of Palomino, and Los Angeles, California. In October, security was breached at the UK site when a celebrity impersonator was able to gain access to filming at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London by dressing up as Captain Jack.

Soundtrack

Main article: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (soundtrack)

Marketing

DAYS		Film 1 USA 2003		Film 2 USA 2006		Film 3 USA 2007		Film 4 USA 2011		Film 4 2011 worldwide		Film 1-4 2011 worldwide
Mins		2 hrs. 15 min.		2 hrs. 31 min.		2 hrs. 48 min.		2 hrs. 17 min.		2 hrs. 17 min.		9 hrs. 51 min.
BOM$		$654,264,015		$1,066,179,725		$963,420,425		$192,058,078		$806,958,078		$3.490.822.243
BOM		[1] [2]		[3] [4]		[5] [6]		[7]		[8] [9]		[10]
1		$13,509,262
2		$10,486,019		$13,240,044
3		$14,841,094		$55,830,600		$42,910,392		$34,860,549
4		$17,414,693		$44,443,225		$37,701,051		$31,921,474
5		$14,374,903		$35,360,729		$34,121,377		$23,369,935
6		$7,504,567		$18,140,271		$25,069,370		$8,143,152		$286,500,000
12		$133,007,414		$183,661,469		$225,491,113		$163,607,625		$470,800,000
13		$138,339,699		$196,019,502		$228,969,881		$166,774,780		537.600.000
18		$169,482,545		$326,203,444		$255,610,936		$192,058,078		$614,900,000		$3.490.822.243
Days- USA		128		84		63		18		18		293

Worldwide (USA): 2.683.864.165 DOLLAR BOXOFFICE + Film 4 = BOXOFFICE 3 490 822 243 Dollar [11]

USA: 1.038.150.155 DOLLAR BOXOFFICE+ Film 4 = BOXOFFICE 1,230 ,208,233 Dollar

References [12] [13] [14]

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
The first footage from the film appeared on Entertainment Tonight on December 4, 2010. The first trailer premiered on December 13, 2010, and it was also included with the release of Tron: Legacy. ESPN 3D also aired a 3D trailer of the movie on December 17, 2010 during an NBA game. A television commercial for the film debuted during Super Bowl XLV on Fox, including an extended version of the television spot that was later released online. A second and final trailer was released on March 21, 2011, focusing more on the plot than the previous trailer and commercials. The Lego Group also produced toy sets for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, including a video game. From May 20, 2011 to June 22, 2011, the El Capitan Theatre is giving away commemorative bags containing “Pieces of Eight” replica coins to patrons viewing the film. The “Pieces of Eight” are supplied by Goldline International who also provided four 18th century Mexican 8 Escudo gold coins to be awarded to randomly selected patrons at the El Capitan Theatre and one 18th century Peruvian 8 Escudo gold coin to be awarded in a national sweepstakes.

At Disney California Adventure, the Pirates of the Caribbean segment of the World of Color show, was extended to include visual clips and music from On Stranger Tides.

Reception

Box-office performance

DAYS		Film 1 USA 2003		Film 2 USA 2006		Film 3 USA 2007		Film 4 USA 2011		Film 4 2011 worldwide		Film 1-4 2011 worldwide
Mins		2 hrs. 15 min.		2 hrs. 31 min.		2 hrs. 48 min.		2 hrs. 17 min.		2 hrs. 17 min.		9 hrs. 51 min.
BOM$		$654,264,015		$1,066,179,725		$963,420,425		$192,058,078		$806,958,078		$3.490.822.243
BOM		[15] [16]		[17] [18]		[19] [20]		[21]		[22] [23]		[24]
1		$13,509,262
2		$10,486,019		$13,240,044
3		$14,841,094		$55,830,600		$42,910,392		$34,860,549
4		$17,414,693		$44,443,225		$37,701,051		$31,921,474
5		$14,374,903		$35,360,729		$34,121,377		$23,369,935
6		$7,504,567		$18,140,271		$25,069,370		$8,143,152		$286,500,000
12		$133,007,414		$183,661,469		$225,491,113		$163,607,625		$470,800,000
13		$138,339,699		$196,019,502		$228,969,881		$166,774,780		537.600.000
18		$169,482,545		$326,203,444		$255,610,936		$192,058,078		$614,900,000		$3.490.822.243
Days- USA		128		84		63		18		18		293

Worldwide (USA): 2.683.864.165 DOLLAR BOXOFFICE + Film 4 = BOXOFFICE 3 490 822 243 Dollar [25]

USA: 1.038.150.155 DOLLAR BOXOFFICE+ Film 4 = BOXOFFICE 1,230 ,208,233 Dollar

References [26] [27] [28]

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
On Stranger Tides has earned $192,058,078 in the United States, as of June 6, 2011, and an estimated $614,900,000 in other territories, as of June 6, 2011, for a worldwide total of $806,958,078. It is currently the 28th highest-grossing film of all time worldwide and the highest-grossing 2011 film.

It scored the third-largest opening weekend of all time worldwide ($350.6 million), behind that of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($394 million) and Spider-Man 3 ($381.6 million). It was also slightly ahead of the global opening of At World's End ($344 million), to mark the franchise's largest worldwide debut. It also scored the largest worldwide debut of all time at IMAX theaters ($16.7 million) with a big $61,000 per theater average. It reached $400 million in less than a week in release, which is the fastest time for a 2011 movie. It crossed the $500-million-mark at the worldwide box office in 10 days of release and the $600-million-mark in 12 days. Both accomplishments matched the records for speed that were first set by At World's End in 2007. On the weekend of May 27-29, 2011, On Stranger Tides surpassed Fast Five to become the highest-grossing film of 2011 worldwide. Continuing its exceptional run, it broke the record for reaching the $700-million-mark worldwide in the least time ever, just 16 days, with a $708.9 global total and on its 20th day of release, said Box Office Mojo, it became the second-fastest movie to reach $800 million worldwide behind Avatar.

United States and Canada

During its Thursday-midnight showings, it earned $4.7 million from 2,210 theaters and $34.9 million in total on its opening day. As a whole on its opening weekend, it earned $90,151,958, much lower than what its two latest predecessors earned on their openings (At World's End - $114.7 million and Dead Man's Chest - $135.6 million) and even less than what the last Johnny Depp spectacle earned on its opening (Alice in Wonderland - $116.1 million). It was also the 12th highest-grossing opening weekend in May and it falls to the 27th place when adjusted for inflation. However, it marked the largest opening weekend of 2011 so far.

International market

During its opening day on the foreign theatrical circuit (Wednesday 18 May 2011), the film made $18.5 million from 10 territories. That was 50% higher than what the previous installment in the series made on its opening day, when it debuted in 16 countries. On Stranger Tides added $25.7 million on Thursday, for a two-day total of $44.2 million, which was 10% ahead of the two-day total of At World's End. On Friday, it expanded to almost the entire overseas market and earned $46.2 million for a three-day total of $92.1 million, which stands as the highest three-day total of 2011.

On its opening weekend as a whole, it earned a massive, record-breaking $260.4 million from 18,210 screens in more than 100 territories, in all which it reached first place at the box office. This is the largest opening weekend of all time overseas, out-grossing Half-Blood Prince's $236 million debut. This is also the first $250-million-plus opening weekend overseas and the best for the franchise. The film crossed the $300-million-mark overseas in just 6 days , which is an all-time record. On it second weekend, it retained its place at the summit of the overseas box office with $124.3 million, out-grossing new releases The Hangover: Part II and Kung Fu Panda 2, although they played in a smaller number of territories. It reached the $500-million-mark at the overseas box office in record time, only 14 days, which was one day less than the previous record held by Avatar. On its third weekend, it faced strong competition from Hangover 2 which added 13 more territories for a $63.8 million total over the weekend and from X-Men: First Class which opened in 74 countries and earned $61 million. However, On Stranger Tides topped the overseas box office for a third time with $69.4 million.

Asia

In China, it earned $21.8 million (142.1 million yuan) on its three-day opening, therefore marking the second-largest debut of all time for a foreign movie in the country behind that of Avatar and making more than what Pirates 3 made in its entire run. In India, it had collected around $6.66 million by the end of its first week. In Japan, it topped the box office with $14,837,677 and when adding in weekday previews, its $18,635,369 opening is the largest for the franchise. Its two-day weekend is also the 8th largest opening weekend of all time in the country. It delivered the highest-grossing second weekend of all time in the country, falling just 8% to $13,704,628. In Hong Kong, the film made $2,333,672 on its opening ($2,499,700 wih previews), making the biggest opening of 2011 but it grossed less than what At World's End and Dead Man's Chest made on their openings. In Israel, it grossed $795,610 during its opening weekend ($839,599 with previews), marking the largest opening of 2011 and the 3rd largest of all time after that of Alice ($875,747) and Avatar ($858,048). In Malaysia, it opened at $2,026,344 which is about $0.5 million above its predecessor, marking the largest opening of 2011 and the 3rd highest-grossing opening weekend of all time behind those of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ($2,546,774) and 2012 ($2,308,796). In Philippines, the movie debuted with $1,463,948 (three-day weekend), the second-highest-grossing weekend of 2011 after Kung Fu Panda 2's $1,958,888 opening. It was closely behind At World's End and Dead Man's Chest, both which had the advantage of a five-day opening weekend. However, it made the biggest opening day ever for a Disney film as well as the biggest Friday, Saturday and Sunday earnings for a Disney film. In Singapore, Pirates 4 started with $2,123,292, which was a $0.5 million improvement over the last entry to the series and it marked the fourth largest opening weekend of all time behind that of Kung Fu Panda 2 ($2,627,425), Transformers 2 ($2,478,544) and Clash of the Titans ($2,191,177). In Taiwan, it earned $2,303,083 on its opening weekend (and $4,296,997 with weekday previews) marking the largest opening of 2011 and the second largest two-day weekend of all time after 2012 ($2,790,845), although when adding in previews it becomes the largest of all time. It was also 85% above the opening of the previous instalment in the franchise. In South Korea, it scored $10,529,817 ($12,146,762 with weekday previews), which is the second-biggest opening weekend of 2011 behind Kung Fu Panda 2 ($12,802,267), and reached the 9th place on the all-time chart for the largest openings. However, it was 37% behind Pirates 3's $16,670,609 record-breaking opening, which is still first on the all-time chart.

Europe

• Eastern Europe

In Russia and the CIS, On Stranger Tides broke the record for the highest-grossing opening day of all time, with $5 million, surpassing by a wide margin the previous record of $3.9 million held by Eclipse. It earned a huge, record-breaking $26,753,256 on its opening weekend ($31,416,791 with weekday previews), surpassing Avatar's $19.7 million, to mark by far the largest opening weekend of all time in the country. Within 5 days, its gross exceeded the total earnings of At World's End and Dead Man's Chest. In Poland it topped the box office with $2,487,034, which stands as the biggest debut for the franchise and the 6th largest opening weekend of all time. In Romania, it made $572,729 during its opening weekend, which was more than four times bigger than the opening of At World's End and more than what it grossed in its entire run. It was the largest opening weekend of all time, out-grossing Avatar's $521,791 debut. In Bulgaria, it debuted with $438,734 ($525,784 with weekday previews) marking the best opening of 2011 and the second-largest of all time after Dawn of the Dinosaurs ($494,393). When adding in the previews, its opening weekend becomes the highest-grossing one ever in the territory and it more than doubled the opening of At World's End. In the Czech Republic, it began with $1,100,843, more than doubling the opening of its predecessor and marking the third-largest opening weekend of all time after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 ($1,678,298) and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($1,168,643). In Slovakia, it scored the largest debut in 2011 ($246,221) and improved 53% over its predecessor.

• Northern Europe

In the United Kingdom, Ireland and Malta, it made $3.2 million on its opening day, out-grossing its predecessor; on the weekend as a whole, though, it earned £11,634,860 ($18,889,293), that is much less than what At World's End and Dead Man's Chest made on thier debuts. Still, it is 2011's best opening yet. In Sweden, it broke the record for the largest opening day of all time, with $1.3 million. It then earned $3,419,675 on its opening weekend in total (and $5,453,278 with weekday previews). Its three-day weekend (without previews) stands as the largest opening weekend of all time in the country. In Norway, it earned $3,020,923 on its opening weekend (and $4,731,209 with weekday previews). Therefore, it marked the largest opening weekend ever in the country and it immediately became the highest-grossing movie of 2011 so far. In Finland, it scored $1,143,193 on its opening (and $1,702,760 with weekday previews) marking the largest opening for 2011 and the best start for a film since Quantum of Solace ($1,168,173). At World's End had earned $1,903,551 on its opening but benefited from a whole week of previews. In Estonia, it opened at $232,915, marking the largest opening of 2011, a 45% improvement over its predecessor and the second highest-grossing opening weekend of all time behind Ice Age 3 ($265,455).

• Southern Europe

In Italy, it began with $1.7 million on its opening day, which is the largest opening day for the franchise. It finished its first weekend with $7,522,955 ($10,106,990 with previews), marking 2011's second-largest opening after that of Che bella giornata ($15,266,670). It barely out-grossed its predecessor's opening of $7,466,711 (and $9,379,424 with previews) in 2007. In Spain, its $9,497,132 opening weekend total wasn't as strong as the debut of At World's End or Dead Man's Chest and it wasn't even the largest of 2011, (Torrente 4 had grosed $11.6 million back in March). In Greece, it garnered $2,179,396 upon release, which stands as the third largest opening weekend of all time in the country, after 300 ($3,087,500) and 2012 ($2,288,288), although numbers for the opening weekends of the last two Pirate instalments are not available. In Portugal and Angola, it had a $1,301,545 opening that marked the best start for the franchise and the 4th largest opening weekend of all time after Indiana Jones 4 ($1,623,645), New Moon ($1,412,024) and Shrek 4 ($1,343,520). In Croatia, the film had a record-breaking $223,994 debut, just ahead of New Moon's $220,238 opening, to mark the largest opening weekend of all time. In Slovenia, On Stranger Tides grossed $186,299 during its opening weekend (and $227,172 with weekday previews). That was an improvement from the last entry in the series; it was also the largest opening of 2011 and it marked the 4th highest-grossing opening weekend of all time after the debuts of Mr. Bean's Holiday ($273,252), Ice Age 3 ($213,958) and Quantum of Solace ($193,631).

• Western Europe

In Germany, Pirates 4 earned $20,525,092, scoring the largest debut in the Pirates series, the best opening of 2011 and the 7th largest opening weekend of all time. In France and the Maghreb region, it earned $3.1 million on its opening day, out-grossing its predecessor, and on the weekend as a whole it topped the box office with $16,640,516, although this is less than the opening gross of Pirates 2 and Pirates 3. In the Netherlands, it scored $3,252,414 (and $3,834,729 with weekday previews) marking the third largest opening weekend of all time and the best start for the franchise. In Austria, Pirates 4 made a strong debut of $2,208,651 (and $2,620,599 with previews) which is higher than the opening of Pirates 3; it was the largest of 2011 and the best opening since Wickie und die starken Männer ($2,244,766) back in 2009. In Belgium and Luxembourg, its opening reached $2,281,293, marking the best opening of 2011 but it was about $0.5 million less than the opening of At World's End.

Latin America

In Mexico, it made $9,912,317, scoring the fifth largest opening weekend of all time, just behind Toy Story 3 and the three Spider-Man films and thus the best opening for the franchise. In Brazil, the film earned a record-smashing $8,400,359, taking the record for the largest opening weekend of all time from Rio ($8,349,383) despite opening in 26% less screens than the latter. In Argentina, it grossed a massive $3,133,009 on its opening, marking the largest opening weekend of alll time in the country and 71% improvement over its predecessor. In Bolivia, the film earned $218,541 on its opening which was nearly three times the opening of its predecessor. It was also the best opening of 2011 and the third largest opening of all time after Toy Story 3 ($270,121) and Ice Age 3 ($265,053). In Chile, On Stranger Tides scored the highest-grossing opening weekend of all time with $1,448,284, surpassing the previous record of Ice Age 3 ($1,381,331). In Colombia, it opened just under the $2-million mark ($1,972,961) and made almost two times the eanrings of its predecessor on its opening, but still made the largest opening weekend of all time, taking the title from Toy Story 3 ($1,950,658). In Ecuador, it grossed $853,574 on its opening (during the busiest weekend of all time in the country and the first with a total gross of over $1 million), marking the largest opening weekend of all time. In Peru, it scored the second-largest opening of all time ($1,120,409) behind that of Ice Age 3 ($1,268,762). In Uruguay, it almost doubled the opening of Pirates 3 by earning $123,167 and it scored the best opening of 2011. In Venezuela, it earned $1,138,344 upon release ($1,205,560 with weekday previews), marking the largest opening weekend of 2011.

Oceania

In Australia, it scored $10,561,271 during its opening, which was a franchise-high. In New Zealand and Fiji, it grossed $1,176,280 marking 2011's largest debut. It earned less than what Pirates 3 earned on its opening and it barely out-grossed the debut of Pirates 2.

Release

Johnny Depp promoting the film at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

On January 6, 2010, Disney announced that the film would be released in the United States and Canada on May 20, 2011, following Columbia Pictures' announcement of a delay in the Spider-Man reboot and Paramount Pictures slating Thor to May 6, 2011. The movie was released in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2011 and Australia on May 19, 2011, with other international release dates falling within May 18 and May 20, 2011. It was released in IMAX 3D, as well as traditional 2D and IMAX format. The film made its world premiere on May 7, 2011, at a premium ticket screening at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, home of the original Pirates of the Caribbean ride that inspired the film series. Many of the film's stars were in attendance. Another early screening of the film took place during the Cannes International Film Festival held in France on May 11, 2011 Finally, a Moscow World Premiere for Pirates 4 was held on May 11, 2011.

It was reported that the film is to be released on a worldwide record of 402 IMAX screens, 257 screens in North America and 139 in other territories. In North America it opened in a total of 4,155 theaters, which stands as the 12th-biggest opening release in these territories.

Critical reception

On Stranger Tides has received mixed reviews. Review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes reports that 33% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 221 reviews, with an average score of 5/10. The film holds an average score of 45 rating at Metacritic based on 38 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

British film critic Mark Kermode gave the film an overwhelmingly negative review on his 5 Live show, saying "it's not as staggeringly misjudged as the third part, because it is just nothing, it is just a big empty nothing". Yet, Box Office Magazine's Pete Hammond calls it "The Best Pirate Outing Yet!" and praises director Rob Marshall for bringing "an almost lyrical grace to the mayhem". Hammond also raves about Depp and Cruz, saying that "the pair sizzles onscreen."

External links

• Official US website
• Official UK website
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides at IMDb
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides at AllMovie
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides at Rotten Tomatoes
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides at Box Office Mojo