Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
'Your watch, Mr Christian. I must count the coconuts'., 25 Jul 2004
A true classic. If you need to convince anyone that films aren't as good as they used to be, this is the one to show them. Gorgeous photography, brought vividly to life in this impeccable transfer, a rattling good story, wonderful performances, and no expense spared on sets and locations.
This version is a fictionalised account, based on Nordhoff and Hall's novel rather than the true history. (For a more accurate retelling, check out the 1984 version, 'The Bounty'.) In terms of events it's broadly correct but of course, in keeping with a good adventure story, it presents Bligh as a sour-faced sadist rather that the complex, troubled character he really was. As such, Charles Laughton turns in a performance to relish, perhaps the greatest of his career.
If you can accept Clark Gable as a Cumbrian, this is a good old adventure movie of the very best kind, and a terrific film by any standards.A fascinating bonus on this disc is the short documentary 'Pitcairn Today', showing life on the island as it was in the 1930s.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic performances by Laughton & Gable, 7 May 2002
This true story, with, admittedly, plenty of liberties taken with that truth, has gone down in popular consciousness as a true folk tale that everyone is familiar with. It has even been filmed three times. Captain Bligh has gone down in history as the epitome of tyranny and Fletcher Christian has become a symbol of man’s struggle against tyranny. Good against evil. Tyranny against freedom. A David verses Goliath story, if you will, or a George Washington verses George III. If you want to know why this myth has become so enduring – and it is a myth. The true story is no-where near as black and white, as the 1980s remake hints at - then watch this film. Clark Gable is utterly convincing as the hero who can take no more of Captain Bligh’s tyrannical leadership and leads the men to mutiny against him. His performance knocks both Marlon Brando and Mel Gibson’s later feeble efforts into a three-cornered hat. Best of all is Charles Laughton’s portrayal of Captain Bligh. Bligh is tyranny personified. His very presence on screen oozes menace. His eyes glare malevolently at his crew. Every word that comes out of his mouth drips with contempt. Never has an actor portrayed evil so convincingly and so thoroughly. Most actors would overplay it. Laughton, the master that he is, gets it exactly right. Loathsome though Bligh is, he never becomes a caricature. He is a man as well as a monster. (Tim Roth and Alan Rickman should eat their hearts out.) It is one of the best performances in 20th Century cinema. This film works at every level: the brisk pacing, the characterisation of the ships crew, the sets scenes on board ship and on the Island of Tahiti, and the cinematography. It is a wonderful film to watch and one that has ingrained itself into our collective memories thanks, mainly, to Charles Laughton.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bountyful adventure, 5 Jul 2006
I can't add much to the reviews, just a couple of details.
When Laughton came to make the movie, he approached the tailors who made naval uniforms and asked if they had some of the detal of Blighs uniform. They still had it on record and the uniform he wwears in the film is accurate. Sadly the records where lot in the bombin during the war.
Shortly after he made this, not sure of the date, he appears in a film called Abbot and Costello meet Captain Kidd. He plays the captain, and spoofs his role in the Bounty. He also sings, not much, but its funny to list to.
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