From the Press Release
Drawing inspiration from the upcoming videogame Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, VICE embarked on a month-long journey to reveal the true history of the original ocean pirates, creating a three-part series titled Rum, Guns, and Gallows. The first episode will air on VICE.com beginning October 10.
Hosted by VICE’s Will Kiersky, the film series investigates the historical setting of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag by bringing fans deep into the world of 18th Century pirates, the true stories of the era’s most infamous captains and a look at how the violent period has shaped modern culture. The series takes viewers on a ride through the Caribbean and U.S. territories – from Jamaica to Florida – once occupied by the fearsome crew of fugitive sailors and provides a first-hand look at what life was like on and off the boat. Keeping true to VICE’s spirit of edgy content and premium web video, Kiersky and the team immersed themselves in ancient pirate lifestyle, getting hands-on with the weapons, booze, underwater exploration and street life that made these early seamen famous.
Each of the three episodes center around the high-profile supporting cast of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, the terrifying band of captains: Blackbeard, Charles Vane and Calico Jack. With help from Colin Woodard, author of “The Republic of Pirates” and expert consultant to the game, VICE shares the commanders’ brave stories, guiding motivations, cavalier adventures and ultimately what led to their demise.
“For hundreds of years, pirates have been a part of pop-culture. Their rebel spirit mixed with part bravery and part lunacy has captured the attention of the public for generations, but sometimes folklore is mistaken for history,” said Tony Key, senior vice president for Sales and Marketing for Ubisoft. “Just like what we’re attempting to do with Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, it is important – and oftentimes more engrossing – to know what really happened during that time period. It’s wonderful to see VICE helping tell the true story of the Golden Age of Pirates.”
Release Schedule of VICE’s Rum, Guns, and Gallows on VICE.com
- Episode 1: Charles Vane – Thursday, October 10, 2013
- Episode 2: Blackbeard – Thursday, October 17, 2013
- Episode 3: Calico Jack – Thursday, October 24, 2013
Assassin’s Creed, the best-selling videogame franchise and known for drawing storylines straight from the history books, brings fans into a new world of adventure set in the obscure and intriguing world of early era pirates with Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag.
The game hits store shelves on October 29, 2013 for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Nintendo’s Wii U™ system. The game will launch on November 19, 2013 for Windows PC and as day one launch titles for PlayStation 4 from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Xbox One.
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag tells the story of Edward Kenway, who falls from privateering for the Royal Navy into piracy as the war between the major Empires comes to an end. Edward is a fierce pirate and seasoned fighter who soon finds himself embroiled in the ancient war between Assassins and Templars. Set at the dawn of the 18th Century, the game features some of the most infamous pirates in history, such as Blackbeard and Charles Vane, and takes players on a journey throughout the West Indies during a turbulent and violent period of time later to become known as the Golden Age of Pirates.
To learn more, visit the official Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag website.