Errol Flynn has been dead for fifty-nine years.

The diamond anniversary of his death is next year.

Maybe then we’ll get the film he deserves.

The latest effort to explore the origins of one of the great icons of the silver screen, IN LIKE FLYNN, suffers from a promise of a rip roaring Raiders of the Lost Ark type of romp broken by an inability to deliver on that promise.

Beginning in the wilds of New Guinea, we find a twenty something Errol Flynn leading a film crew in search of fortune and footage when they are attacked by a hostile tribe. Whereas these pulpy contrivances and confections were palpably exciting in Lost Ark, it seems a lost art here, with predictable plodding pace.

Surviving the bushwacking and paddle in croc infested waters, Flynn finds himself back in Sydney, plotting a return to the jungle and conscripting cohorts Canadian Rex and prim and proper Pommy, Dook to accompany him on his quest for gold.

Commandeering a vessel called the Sirocco, the trio tack to Townsville where they encounter a corrupt mayor, an Oriental opium diva and an old flame of Flynn’s who threatens to burn his enterprise.

This is the most satisfing part of IN LIKE FLYNN, a coalescence of casting, character and plot.

Rising Aussie star Thomas Cocquerel is suitably dashing as the Tasmanian tear away who would conquer Tinseltown and he has the cross continent cadence down pat.

Isabel Lucas scorches the screen as the lady literally left in the lurch by the light-footed Lothario and David Wenham does hiss the vile villain in dastardly fashion.

The script, credited to four writers including the subject’s grandson Luke, who also executive produces — is based on Flynn’s long out-of-print seafaring memoir Beam Ends, and has the breezy air of adventure pics of yesteryear, but the breeze drops in the pacing of the film, taking some of the wild wind out of its sails.