[15] Conclusion

THE CONCLUSION

Now that we've covered the many of aspects of piracy in The Goonies, here's a quick breakdown of my findings:

What the Goonies gets right: 

• Subtle references to real-life pirate, Edward Teach aka Blackbeard (painting by Jean Leon Jerome Ferris)
• Local pirate legends and lore popularized by Western culture
• Pirate treasure hunters like Chester Copperpot (Ex. Kip Wagner)
• The use of galleons as treasure/merchant carrying ships
• Possible inspiration from the story of Captain Kidd

What remains fictional, inspired and popularized by Western perceptions, stereotypes, tropes, and folklore:

• Treasure maps leading to buried treasure
• The sensationalized story of One-Eyed Willy (inexperienced sailor)
• Geography: pirates in Oregon???
• Booby-traps
• The model of the Inferno
• A ginormous galleon as opposed to a schooner or smaller vessel (film tactic used to make the ship look more impressive on screen, and to provide space for duels and stunts)
• The fact that the Inferno is still intact and seaworthy after hundreds of years 

TO CONCLUDE, it's clear that The Goonies didn't become a cult-classic because of its historical accuracy; rather, it's a feel-good adventure movie that follows the exciting escapades of a group of rambunctious kids seeking treasure in order to save their town. It mostly indulges its audience with well-known pirate stereotypes, with notions of mysterious treasure maps leading to buried treasure, thrilling escapes from deadly booby-traps, and an impressive pirate ship hosting the infamous and bone-chilling One-Eyed Willy and his now-skeletal crew. However, that being said, there are still a few nods to actual pirate history that we can definitely appreciate. 

And with that, I leave you with one final message: