 | A classic with a 2-star presentation
rating: 5
The story of mutiny on HMS Bounty has been told and retold many times. It may be classified as an allegory for what power and corruption can generate (think American Revolution). When people are pushed too far, either in reality or in their own mind, the result is backlash, such as occurred on HMS Bounty. There have been many theatrical versions of MOTB from the first in 1916 to the last Gibson-Hopkins version in 1984. The most notable were the 1962 Marlon Brando and the 1935 Clark Gable versions. Of all, the most memorabe one was the 1935 run. The acting was top-notch and showed a compassionate Fletcher Christian torn between duty and human responsibility culminating in the mutiny in the 1780s. On the flip side was the superb rendition of Captain William Bligh by the indomitable Charles Laughton, one of the greatest actors ever to grace stage and screen. Like a politician, Laughton displays a man who is doing everything to insure his future comfort at whatever expense to his conscience or to others. He is totally self-centered with little regard for his men and possesses a somewhat sadistic flair. The entire film is enjoyable from beginning to end and draws the viewer in with it. Now for the 2-star presentation! It appears that this was a straight transfer from a previously produced VHS Print. One wishes that Criterion could have gotten into the act since they do not usually put out a product unless it has been pain-stakingly restored with images that are clear and sharp as the original film was (Hint to major studios releasing their films). Overall, however, the rating remains 10 on a one-ten scale for one of the finest motion picturs ever produced.
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Clark Gable?
rating: 3
If this is the 1962 version of "Mutiny" it must be the Marlon Brando version and not the 1935 original that the synopsis suggests. This was filmed when Brando began to enjoy the fruits of his acting labors. In an era of tight white naval dress pants, he reportedly went through over 20 pairs due to tears from weight fluctuation. He began honing the behavior that characterized his later persona (difficult and odd) while on set and fathering the first of his children off it. In love with the location, he later bought an nearby island and married his co-star. All this attempt at contentment didn't help his performance or MGM for which he spent needless millions through countless retakes and bizarre demands.
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I'd hate being in THIS Navy
rating: 5
What more can I say about this classic film? It is simply one of the best sea epics and even more so because it's relatively factual about a brutal sea captain of the British Navy. The acting, direction, art direction are all excellent. While mutiny is usually not a good thing, the true story guides the viewer to understand why Mr. Christian felt that he had no choice. And for this choice, he and his crew were punished, not by the courts, but by themselves in a self imposed marooning in a desolate island. The film makes us feel the agony of land lovers being pressed into service on a naval ship and abused by a cruel and dishonest captain, until good men reached their breaking point.
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Ageless Filmaking / DVD Could Be Better
rating: 4
The main event here may be an acting titan taking on a screen great's immortal charms, but the whole production holds up as a terrific work of filmaking. Great production values and editing. There are visceral thrills you get from few other films of the time. Also, the movie's portrait of the Tahitians is surprisingly naturalistic and serious. And I love the fact that Gable doesn't bother for a second to affect an English accent.
The quality of the picture on the DVD is all over the place -- it would be nice to have a restored version of the movie and some extras on its making or the subject's historical background. (Think of how Warners might have mounted the release of this classic on DVD.)
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...AND NOT A DROP TO DRINK
rating: 5
After 72 years, this original version is still the best by far, despite historical inaccuracies. I was never aware that early Hollywood was under any really enforceable laws of historical accuracy, save for the denial of obvious obscenities.Rather, I assume that telling a good story was paramount, and this film certainly does entertain. Laughton, Gable, and Tone all play realisic roles. One can imagine a 2007 version, replete with raw sex, that could completely ruin the overall tale, shot originally on Santa Catalina, and in a huge tub on the MGM lot. Remember also that movies of this era had none of the color,sound effects, and sight tricks available today.For its time, it is a great movie,well worthy of adding to a "buff's" collection.
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