Cast
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Marlon Brando
as First Lieutnant Fletcher Christian
Trevor Howard
as Capt. William Bligh
Richard Harris
as Seaman John Mills
Hugh Griffith
as Alexander Smith
Richard Haydn
as William Brown
Percy Herbert
as Matthew Quintal
Gordon Jackson
as Seaman Edward Birkett
Chips Rafferty
as Michael Byrne
Noel Purcell
as Seaman William McCoy
Eddie Byrne
as John Fryer
Tim Seely
as Midshipman Edward Young
Tarita
as Maimiti
Frank Silvera
as Minarii
Keith McConnell
as James Morrison
Rahera Tuia
as Tahitian
Crew
Director
- Lewis Milestone
Producer
- Aaron Rosenberg
Reviews
CinemaSerf
For me, this was never going to be better than the Laughton/Gable version from 1935, but despite the rather hammily over-cooked effort from Marlon Brando, it does make for a decent enough version of the story of HMS "Bounty". It's a small ship with a big task. Sail round the world to Tahiti and procure some breadfruit trees then take them to the Caribbean for use a fodder for the slaves. Right from the outset, we realise that Captain Bligh (Trevor Howard) is not a man to mess with. He is a brutal authoritarian who punishes the slightest of misdemeanours from his crew mercilessly. As the voyage proceeds, fresh water runs short and the food starts to move about the plate by itself, the men turn to Lt. Christian (Brando) for some sort of relief. The two officers are pretty much at odds from the start with the flamboyant subordinate quite a contrast to the ship's more hardened master. It's their arrival on the island that finally causes the men to reach breaking point and for Christian to execute the unthinkable in maritime law. The story is history, so we now what happens as Howard turns in a remarkably convincing effort - his deep and gravelly voice helps too - as the commander who would rather water the trees than his men. Richard Harris, Hugh Griffith and a face of recognisable Britons pad out the crew effectively and the aesthetics of the production, especially at sea, are powerfully illustrative of the dangers to the sailors of the sea and their taskmaster. It does fall away a little towards the Pitcairn aspects of the story, and I just didn't love Brando's accent/overly theatrical effort - but is still well worth a watch.
Jul 8, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Mutiny on the Bounty examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Lewis Milestone brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1962, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Mutiny on the Bounty took approximately 5 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $19.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 185 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 205 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1427 individual shots.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 2 weeks before filming began.
- The costume department created over 244 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 1962, when this film was released:
- The Vietnam War was becoming increasingly controversial.
- The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Mutiny on the Bounty shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Mutiny on the Bounty subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon explore similar territory, Mutiny on the Bounty stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 8, 1962
- Runtime: 3h 5m
- Budget: $19,000,000
- Revenue: $13,680,000
