Background
In the first of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean film (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl), James Norrington rises from the rank of Lieutenant to Captain (eventually ascending to rank of Admiral by the third film). Played by English actor Jack Davenport, the character fawns over Elizabeth Swann and despises pirates.
In late 2009, Tonner Doll Company released a Dressed Tonner Character Figure based on the Captain Norrington character. He joins Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, and Tia Dalma in Tonner's Pirates of the Caribbean line.
The Facts
Captain Norrington
Series: Pirates of the Caribbean Tonner Character Figures
Manufacturer: Tonner Doll Company
Material: Rotocast vinyl head, articulated plastic body, rooted saran hair
Dimensions: 17” tall
Points of Articulation: 14 (neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, chest, hips, knees and ankles)
Outfit: White cotton dickie; white twill vest with rich gold trim; twill knee breeches; blue military coat with gold trim; blue tri-cornered hat; white knee-length socks; molded black plastic shoes with "gold" buckles; hair ribbon
Accessories: Display stand
Edition Size: 500 pieces
Packaging
The Captain Norrington figure comes packaged in the same Pirates of the Caribbean styled box as the previous male Tonner Character Figures. Inside, the figure is secured using ribbons and Styrofoam, with pieces of the outfit packaged in individual plastic bags.
Our Opinion
I had to look up just what Captain Norrington looked like. For some reason, I thought he always wore a white powdered wig. And while he does often don the wig (didn't all British born before 1900 wear powdered wigs?), there are some scenes where he appears sans hairpiece. I probably would have preferred going with white hair, since that's how I believe most folks will remember Captain Norrington.
This is probably my least favorite of Tonner's Pirates line. Norrington is an ancillary character, and he's not played by a recognizable actor. Comparing the TCF to photos of the actor, I see some resemblance. But the figure has a chiseled face a jaw, where Davenport (the actor) has a full face, pasty skin, and a slight five o'clock shadow.
Most of the photos I found show his military coat with large white flaps on it, but he actually does where a coat similar to this one (without the powdered wig) in the above movie still. I feel this was probably the source image for the figure.
Overall, Norrington is probably my least favorite of Tonner's Pirates of the Caribbean line. While I think you can easily justify spending $179.99 on the Jack Sparrow figure (which comes with plenty of accessories and a more detailed outfit), I think $209.99 is tough for a secondary character - especially one that's as milquetoast as Captain Norrington.
You can pick one up at the following:
TonnerDirect.com: $209.99
Captain Norrington Grades:
Figure Quality: 7/10
Sculpt: 7/10
Paint: 7/10
Accessories/Outfit: 8/10
Packaging: 7/10
Durability: 9/10
Fun Factor: 7/10
Value: 6/10
Overall: 7.6/10
Hate to tell you but Jack Davenport has a lantern jaw and is about as FAR from full faced as he can be. If you are basing a reproduction on the strength of one wretched little still, no wonder no one else has had the heart to tell you that this is a pretty good likeness of Mr. Davenport. Or that the white hair was a dress wig of the 18th century. If Tonner was going to give him the ‘white hair’, it would have HAD to have been an additional wig. Learn some fashion history or perhaps, try watching the movie. It helps.
Hate to tell you but Jack Davenport has a lantern jaw and is about as FAR from full faced as he can be. If you are basing a reproduction on the strength of one wretched little still, no wonder no one else has had the heart to tell you that this is a pretty good likeness of Mr. Davenport. Or that the white hair was a dress wig of the 18th century. If Tonner was going to give him the ‘white hair’, it would have HAD to have been an additional wig. Learn some fashion history or perhaps, try watching the movie. It helps.
Please try reading the review. How many times do I mention a white powdered wig? Miss those four or five instances?
I’ve watched the films plenty of times, and I looked at many stills…and sorry…but Jack Davenport does not have a lantern jaw. Go ahead and do a Google image search…he’s full faced in every single photo. (no sunken cheeks, no gaunt appearance)
Please try reading the review. How many times do I mention a white powdered wig? Miss those four or five instances?
I’ve watched the films plenty of times, and I looked at many stills…and sorry…but Jack Davenport does not have a lantern jaw. Go ahead and do a Google image search…he’s full faced in every single photo. (no sunken cheeks, no gaunt appearance)