Captain Kidd is a 1945 American adventure film starring Charles Laughton, Randolph Scott and Barbara Britton.

Kidd then presents himself at the court of William III of England as an honest shipmaster seeking a royal commission as a privateer after striking his colours to a pirate.

Kidd recruits a crew from condemned pirates in Newgate and Marshalsea prisons, promising them a royal pardon at the end of their voyage.

Kidd makes him the new master gunner because of his claimed prior service with pirate Captain Avery.

Kidd's story about a pirate he fought nearby persuades Lord Fallsworth to switch ships with his daughter and the precious cargo.

On the voyage home, Kidd schemes to rid himself of his three close associates (to avoid sharing the booty) and Mercy (whom he suspects of being a spy).

When a smitten Lorenzo tries to force himself on Lady Anne, Kidd is delighted when Mercy engages him in a sword fight.

Kidd, Orange Povey (his only surviving confederate, protected by an incriminating letter that will be sent to the crown authorities if he should die), and Mercy go ashore and dig up the loot from The Twelve Apostles.

When Mercy sees the Blayne crest he feigns indifference, but Kidd goads him by insulting his dead father's honor.

Believing himself safe, Kidd appears before King William with the Mughal's treasure to claim his reward (Lord Blayne's aristocratic title and estate).

[9] As a work of fiction rather than a documentary film, the story contains some historically incorrect material, including a London scene showing Tower Bridge two hundred years before it was built.