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"Gillette, Mr. Sparrow has a dawn appointment with the gallows. I would hate for him to miss it."
James Norrington to Gillette[src]

Gillette was an officer of the British Royal Navy. Bewigged and resplendent in his uniform, Gillette acted under the Union Jack, owing his allegiance to King George II and Country. Over the years, Gillette held the rank of Lieutenant while showing a strong dedication to the law and serving as a devoted British naval officer.

While stationed at Port Royal, Lieutenant Gillette was the right hand man to Captain James Norrington, who became the scourge of piracy in the eastern Caribbean. After Norrington was promoted from to Commodore of the Fleet, Gillette participated in the capture of the notorious pirate Captain Jack Sparrow and a search party for Elizabeth Swann, the daughter of Governor Weatherby Swann who was kidnapped by the cursed crew of the Black Pearl. The search was delayed after Jack Sparrow commandeered the HMS Interceptor, with the help of the blacksmith apprentice Will Turner. By the end of the search, Gillette and the rest of Norrington's men rescued Elizabeth as well as battled against the cursed pirates aboard the HMS Dauntless off Isla de Muerta. After Jack Sparrow escaped his appointment at the gallows at Fort Charles, despite Gillette's confusion, Norrington decided to give Jack a day's head start.

Several years later, following the War Against Piracy, Lieutenant Gillette would continue to serve His Majesty's Navy alongside Lieutenant Commander Theodore Groves, most notably during the quest for the Fountain of Youth. Both Gillette and Groves would serve under the command of former pirate Hector Barbossa, now a privateer in King George's court, aboard the HMS Providence to reach the Fountain before the Spanish. After journeying past Whitecap Bay and San Miguel, Barbossa's crew fought against Blackbeard's crew of pirates and zombies at the Fountain. It was during this battle that Gillette was impaled by Blackbeard's sword, and his body dumped by Barbossa, dead.

Biography[]

Early life[]

At some point in his early life, a young Gillette would become part of the British Royal Navy under the command of Lieutenant James Norrington and Governor Weatherby Swann. Later, he was among the crew of the HMS Dauntless under its captain during the voyage from England to Port Royal in Jamaica. He then became part of the troops located in Port Royal, which were under the command of James Norrington after he was promoted Captain. Gillette would, at some point, be promoted to lieutenant, and acted as Norrington's most trusted officer and right hand man.[1]

Royal Navy[]

Jack Sparrow[]

Norrington and Gillette

Commodore Norrington and Lieutenant Gillette.

"This ship cannot be crewed by two men. You'll never make it out of the bay."
"Son, I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Savvy?
"
―Gillette and Jack Sparrow, on Sparrow and Will Turner crewing the Dauntless[src]

Lieutenant Gillette was present at Commodore Norrington's promotion ceremony at Fort Charles. He stood alongside fellow officers whilst the Commodore received his ceremonial sword. When Elizabeth Swann, the wealthy daughter of Governor Weatherby Swann, suddenly fell off of the wall of Fort Charles, Norrington removed his jacket to leap in to save her. However, the Lieutenant and another officer prevented Norrington from jumping to save her, stating that the rocks could lead to his death, and that it was a miracle she had missed them. Gillette, along with a group of Royal Marines, followed James to the harbor, running through Port Royal to rescue her.[1]

They reached the docks, where they discovered and cornered notorious pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, who had rescued Elizabeth. At Norrington's orders, Gillette brought a pair of hand cuffs and placed them on Sparrow's hands. The pirate, however, suddenly grabbed Elizabeth, and Governor Swann ordered the soldiers not to shoot. Jack managed to swing on a crane to safety, and escaped by running into the town. James and Gillette ran after him, but stopped outside town. Norrington ordered Gillette to find Sparrow, as he did not want the pirate to miss his dawn appointment with the gallows. Gillette would join in the search for Jack Sparrow. Jack would soon be apprehended in a smithy, and was swiftly captured and placed in a cell at the Fort Charles prison. [1]

Gillette was likely inside Fort Charles when the Black Pearl and its cursed crew attacked Port Royal, as he did not participate in the battle. The following morning, Gillette and his men were stationed aboard the HMS Dauntless, and were forced to concede control of the vessel over to Sparrow and his accomplice, William Turner, during their attempt to reach Tortuga. Sparrow and Turner had climbed atop the vessel, and threatened the crew. Gillette laughed at their foolish attempt to assume command of the Dauntless, as the large vessel could not be crewed by just two men. However, he was forced to comply when Sparrow pointed a flintlock at his head.[1]

Gillette threatend

Gillette threatened by Captain Jack Sparrow aboard the HMS Dauntless.

"Sir, they've taken the Dauntless! Commodore! They've taken the ship! Sparrow and Turner—they've taken the Dauntless!"
―Gillette to James Norrington[src]

Gillette, who ended up in a longboat with his crew, warned Norrington of the situation, but Jack and Will duped them all by commandeering the HMS Interceptor and leaving the HMS Dauntless dead in the water. With the rudder chain disabled, the vessel was unable to turn. In the longboat, Gillette became aware of a large shadow looming over them, which turned out to be the Dauntless's massive bow. Realizing that they were about to collide with the significantly bigger ship, Gillette gave the order to abandon ship before impact, though the longboat was crushed under the Dauntless's hull, but Gillete and his fellow Marines avoided being fatally crushed and then made it to to the shore. After returning to Norrington, the Lieutenant was assigned to participate in the search for Elizabeth Swann, who was kidnapped the night before.[1]

Isla de Muerta[]

"Sorry, but it's for your own safety."
"I don't care what the Commodore ordered, I have to tell him! The pirates! They're cursed! They can't be killed!"
"Don't worry, Miss. He's already informed of that. A little mermaid flopped up on deck and told him the whole story.
"
―Gillette and Elizabeth Swann[src]

After Commodore Norrington rescued Elizabeth Swann from Black Sam's Spit, along with Jack Sparrow, the HMS Dauntless made its way to Isla de Muerta to save Will Turner. When they arrived, under the suggestion of Jack Sparrow, Norrington ordered that Elizabeth to be locked in the captain's cabin of the Dauntless for her safety. Elizabeth tried to tell Gillette to warn Norrington about undead pirates, but Gillette dismissed her warning, sarcastically telling her that a little mermaid flopped up on the deck and told the whole story to the Commodore.[1]

Gillete on board the HMS Dauntless shortly after the cursed crew attack it

Gillette shortly before the battle of Isla de Muerta.

Later, Hector Barbossa's cursed pirates appeared on deck to kill them off. Gillette, however, was oblivious to the fact that the Cursed crew were slaughtering Royal Marines on the main deck, as he and several others were standing atop the quarterdeck, unprepared and unawares, which was, ironically, the exact plan they had made, only the other way around.[1]

Before the battle, he was alerted by a sailor about a boat containing two strange figures. They turned out to be the cursed pirates mentioned by Elizabeth. Pintel, one of the pirates, attempted to shoot Gillette but missed. Instead, the shot caused the Lieutenant's hat to fly straight into the path of Barbossa's invading crew, ultimately giving away their element of surprise. Gillette quickly drew his pistol and fired at one of the pirates before drawing his sword to join in the heated battle. The crew of the Dauntless fought valiantly against Barbossa's crewmen, though their numbers were depleting as the immortal pirate crew killed many soldiers. Once Norrington and his soldiers returned to help those aboard the Dauntless, the battle turned in Gillette's favor. At some point during the fight, Gillette attempted to swing a pulley at a cursed Bo'sun but the pirate managed to dodge it. Instead of hitting its intended target, the pulley smashed Ragetti at the back of his head, knocking his wooden eye ball out.[1]

As the pirates had nearly slaughtered the whole crew, the skeletal pirates suddenly all turned human again. The moon, whose light signified that the pirates were skeletal, was seen clearly in the sky, yet the pirates were all human. As the Navy crew had the pirates outgunned, they all dropped their swords, and gave in to the Dauntless crew. Gillette cheered with the rest of the crew victoriously.[1]

Sparrow's hanging[]

Gillette Fort

Gillette asking Norrington about pursuing Jack Sparrow.

"Commodore! What about Sparrow?"
"Oh, I think we can afford to give him one day's head start.
"
―Lieutenant Gillette and Commodore James Norrington[src]

Gillette survived the battle, and was present at Jack Sparrow's execution at Port Royal. However, seconds before being hung, Sparrow managed to escape with the aid of Will Turner. As Jack bade his farewell, he fell off of the edge of Fort Charles, though Gillette commented that he had no where to go but back to the noose. He spoke too soon when the Black Pearl arrived, in which Jack swam towards freedom. After Sparrow's escape, Gillette looked to the Commodore for orders to begin pursuit, but Norrington held off the chase for a day to give him a head start.[1]

Quest for the Fountain of Youth[]

Serving aboard the Providence[]

Providencecrewturnaround

Gillette with Privateer Hector Barbossa aboard the HMS Providence.

"Are we not King's men?"
Hector Barbossa[src]

Several years after the battle of Isla de Muerta, Lieutenant Gillette was transferred to London, where he would work closer with His Majesty King George II of Great Britain. He would be stationed aboard the HMS Providence, the pride of the King's fleet. Gillette would serve under the command of Hector Barbossa, former pirate captain of the Black Pearl who had become a privateer and trusted advisor of King George's Court. After Jack Sparrow escaped from St. James's Palace, the Providence was sent sent to find the legendary Fountain of Youth before the Spanish. Gillette was present when Barbossa interrogated Jack Sparrow's comrade, Joshamee Gibbs. When the pirate refused to cooperate, Gillette and Theodore Groves tied a noose to prepare Gibbs' hanging. Gibbs then revealed to be in possession of a map to the Fountain of Youth. Before any exchange could be made, Gibbs burned the map, ultimately forcing Barbossa to bring him aboard the Providence as Gibbs memorized every route in the map that led to the Fountain. And so Gillette accompanied Barbossa's crew aboard the Providence at dawn.[3]

A few days into the voyage, Gillette stood by Barbossa when he had Gibbs brought to the helm so he could provide a heading. Gibbs told Barbossa that they were going in the right direction, as he saw three Spanish galleons, commanded by The Spaniard. Barbossa, Gillette and Groves ordered the crew to their battle stations. Though the crew of the Providence prepared for battle, the Spanish ships simply passed without opening fire. Knowing that they'd fallen behind, Barbossa ordered the crew to make more sail with Gillette stood by at the helm.[3]

Whitecap Bay[]

Bv5c6c4942

Gillette with Privateer Hector Barbossa at Whitecap Bay.

"Your head or my heading, I'll have one or the other, I don't care which."
"All hands, forward!
"
Hector Barbossa to Joshamee Gibbs and Gillette to the rest of the crew[src]

When rumors of their destination struck fear into the crew, Barbossa revealed that they were heading for Whitecap Bay, home to deadly mermaids. After the crew were immediately stroked with fear, Gillette watched as Barbossa was ultimately able to inspire confidence into the crew and ordered full sail to Whitecap Bay.[3]

After the Providence arrived at the Bay, Gillette went to shore with Barbossa, Groves, Gibbs, and a handful of the crew. They found remains of what had happened on the previous night on Whitecap Bay. Gillette was shocked when the mermaids, angered by last night's battle with Blackbeard's crewmen, attacked the Providence. Barbossa, unconcerned for the lives of his crew, asked Gibbs for a heading. Just as he did so, the mermaids killed all who remained aboard the Providence by flipping the ship over. Gillette, along with Groves, watched helplessly and in shock as their ship sunk beneath the waters. With nothing to do about the situation, Gibbs found their next heading. Gillette ordered all crewmen who were brought ashore to push on.[3]

Journey to the Fountain[]

Gillette foret

Gillette with the HMS Providence crew outside the Spanish camp.

The Providence crew continued on as they made their way through thick jungle, with Barbossa collecting small poisonous dart frogs along the way. Barbossa left the crew as he journeyed ahead onto Ponce de León's legendary ship, the Santiago. Later, Barbossa would return from the Santiago with pirate Jack Sparrow, who would join Barbossa's crew in their attempt to infiltrate the Spanish camp and retrieve the two silver Chalices of Cartagena.[3] On Barbossa's orders, the crew had to wait for the signal while he and Jack continued on infiltrating the Spanish camp. Though they were both captured, Jack managed to escape by his own means and slingshotted himself from two palm trees. The crew did manage to accomplish their goal, as Jack was able to steal the Chalices. While Jack rejoined with Blackbeard and his pirate crew, Barbossa and Gillette along with the other Providence crewmen followed them from a distance.[3]

Battle at the Fountain of Youth and death[]

"Get it off me!"
Hector Barbossa on Gillette's dead body[src]

The remainder of the crew later met with Jack Sparrow, who helped them to retrieve the Chalices of Cartagena. He had also assisted in leading them to the Fountain of Youth at the precise moment Blackbeard and his crew did. There, the remaining crew of the Providence and the crew of the Queen Anne's Revenge engaged in a battle at the Fountain.[3]

Gillettesdeath

Gillette killed in battle by Blackbeard.

Gillette fought valiantly against the pirates, until he went against one of Blackbeard's zombies, Yeoman. The zombie pirate was able to land a strike on Gillette, causing him to unintentionally stumble into the way of Barbossa's fight against Blackbeard. Gillette was killed by the infamous pirate, who slashed the Lieutenant from behind. Gillette's body fell onto Barbossa, who immediately pushed it aside to resume fighting with Blackbeard.[3]

Later in the battle, The Spaniard and his soldiers arrived at the Fountain, revealing their true intentions of destroying the Fountain, not to use it for gaining eternal life for their King. The Spaniard smashed the Chalices and ordered his men to destroy the Fountain. While the Spaniard confronted Blackbeard during the destruction of the Fountain, Gillette's body was carried away by two British marines.[3]

Personality and traits[]

GilletteOST

Lieutenant Gillette.

"Ever walk on the beach, look back, and see your footsteps in the sand? It's like that, except the footsteps lie before me."
"Foot
step, actually."
Hector Barbossa and Gillette[src]

As an officer of the British Royal Navy, Gillette was an upholder of the law and followed orders that were given to him. While stationed at Port Royal, Gillette served under Commodore James Norrington as his most trusted lieutenant and was in second command of the HMS Dauntless, the pride of the Royal Navy.[1] Several years later, Lieutenant Gillette was assigned to the HMS Providence, pride of King George II's fleet, and served as second officer under the command of the King's most trustworthy privateer, the former pirate Hector Barbossa.[3]

As a loyal subject of the Crown, Lieutenant Gillette had shown loyalty to his commanding officer, never disobeying his orders and carried them out without question. However, while Gillette did voice concerns about Jack Sparrow's escape to the Black Pearl, but he still went with Commodore Norrington's order to give Sparrow a day's head start before having the Dauntless ready for pursuit.[1] As the Providence fell to a mermaid attack, with most of its crewmen, as well as Captain Barbossa pointing his pistol at Lieutenant Commander Theodore Groves, Gillette watched with visible concern, but didn't go against his captain's orders.[3]

Gillette also seemed to be a man of sensibility. After Jack Sparrow escaped from his execution, by falling off of Fort Charles, Gillette said that Jack had nowhere to go but back to the noose. This was true until the Black Pearl appeared to rescue him. He also mentioned that the Dauntless could not be crewed by two men alone.[1] Another example was when Barbossa mentions a saying that 'footsteps laid forward', Gillette corrected him by saying 'footstep' due to the fact that the peg-legged Hector only had one foot.[3]

Like Mullroy, who didn't believe in the stories of the Black Pearl, Lieutenant Gillette initially didn't believe in the supernatural. When Elizabeth Swann tried to warn him and Commodore Norrington about the cursed pirates, Gillette dismissed her warning and the lieutenant was in utter shock when he first saw walking skeletons attack aboard the Dauntless, taking back his previous views while he and his fellow comrades battle the skeletal pirates. This was further seen when the lieutenant had referred to "a little mermaid" as a mocking joke to Elizabeth aboard the Dauntless,[1] then several years later sailed to the rumored "mermaid waters" known as Whitecap Bay, where he watched in utter horror as the legendary mermaids attack the Providence.[3]

Equipment and skills[]

An officer of the Royal Navy, Gillette was skilled with weaponry such as a pistol and a sword. He was able to hold his own against the cursed crew's attack on the Dauntless during the battle of Isla de Muerta long enough for their curse to be lifted.[1] However, during the battle at the Fountain of Youth, Gillette was unable to defeat the zombie pirate, Yeoman, which ultimately led to his death at the hands of Blackbeard.[3]

Gillette also used a spyglass during his time aboard the HMS Dauntless.[1]

Behind the scenes[]

Appearances[]

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Sources[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
  2. Estimation based on Damian O'Hare's age during the filming of The Curse of the Black Pearl. O'Hare was 25 during the filming and the timeline established in On Stranger Tides (which takes place in 1750) and Dead Men Tell No Tales (which takes place in 1751) sets the events of The Curse of the Black Pearl around 1728 and Gillette's birth around 1703.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
  4. Pirates of the Caribbean production notes, accessed Dec 9, 2006
  5. POTC4 Presskit
  6. Wordplayer.com: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
  7. @schweizercomics Chris Schweizer on Twitter
  8. Rob Marshall: And that's the end of Groves after four movies. Greg had a dramatic end. And we saw Damian before he gets slashed in the back, we lost Gillette, too.
  9. AC Crispin here...I'd be happy to answer questions about this book... - Goodreads
vdeCrew of the HMS Dauntless
Captain: Unknown captain
HMS Dauntless
Lieutenant James NorringtonJoshamee Gibbs

Captain: Commodore James Norrington
HMS Dauntless
Lieutenant GilletteTheodore GrovesMullroyMurtoggSteersmanSailorSentry

[edit]


vdeCrew of the HMS Providence
Captain: Hector Barbossa
HMS Providence
Lieutenant Commander Theodore GrovesLieutenant GilletteJoshamee GibbsProvidence Sailor
[edit]
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