THE BOUNTY (1984)

MORGAN'S RATING

The Bounty is a well-made adventure based on the disasterous voyage of the HMS Bounty, starring Mel Gibson as the rebellious crew leader Fletcher Christian and Anthony Hopkins as the stern Captain Bligh. Although the story was filmed twice before, this revisionist version of the mutinous tale offers new insight into the characters, particularly through its depiction and exoneration of Bligh. In this film, he is seen as a professional seaman who maintains an appropriate level of discipline, rather than an outrageous tyrant. Under Bligh's autocratic rule, The Bounty begins an ill-timed voyage around Cape Horn. The crew approach a breaking point, and Christian leads them in revolt. But Christian fails to grasp the dire consequences that await them all.

Mel Gibson (Fletcher Christian Master's Mate), Anthony Hopkins (Lt. William Bligh), Laurence Olivier (Admiral Hood), Edward Fox (Captain Greetham), Daniel Day-Lewis (John Fryer), Bernard Hill (William Cole), Philip Davis (Edward Young), Liam Neeson (Seaman Charles Churchill), Wi Kuki Kaa (King Tynah), Tevaite Vernette (Mauatua), Philip Martin Brown (Seaman John Adams), Simon Chandler (David Nelson), Malcolm Terris (Doctor John Huggan), Simon Adams (Thomas Heywood), John Sessions (John Smith), Andrew Wilde (Seaman William McKoy), Neil Morrissey (Seaman Matthew Quintal), Richard Graham (John Mills), Dexter Fletcher (Seaman Thomas Ellison), Pete Lee-Wilson (William Purcell), Jon Gadsby (John Norton), Brendan Conroy (Robert Lamb), Barry Dransfield (Michael Byrne), Steve Fletcher (Seaman James Valentine), Jack May (Prosecuting Captain), Mary Kauila (Queen Tynah), Sharon Bower (Mrs. Bligh), Tavana (King Tynah's Councillor, uncredited).

FACTS

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

RELEASE DATE: May 4th, 1984 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $2.6 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $8.6 million (USA) - David Lean spent several years developing this film in the late 1970s, working with his longtime collaborator screenwriter Robert Bolt. - Warner Bros., then hugely over budget with Superman (1978), withdrew from the project when Lean and Bolt decided to film Bolt's sprawling screenplay as two films, rather one massive epic released in two parts, one year apart, though filmed simultaneously. - Anthony Hopkins, who plays Captain Bligh in this film, was also one of two actors (with Oliver Reed) whom David Lean considered for the role when he and Robert Bolt originally developed the project. - This film is generally regarded as the most accurate depiction of the actual mutiny. - The recreation of the "Bounty" specially bult for the movie, has for a number of years been used as a tourist cruise ship on Sydney Harbour, Australia.

DIRECTOR: Roger Donaldson. WRITERS: Robert Bolt, and based on the book "Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian" by Richard Hough. PRODUCERS: Bernard Williams and Bernie Williams. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Vangelis. DISTRIBUTOR: Orion Pictures.

QUOTES

John Adams: Any fool can steer a ship, sir. It's just knowing where to take it.

William Bleigh: I hope never to see Fletcher Christian again. Unless it is to see him hanged.

William Bleigh: Goddamn you, man. Don't you bloody contradict me.

William Bleigh: The Royal Navy is not a humorous institution, sir, and insubordination is not laughing matter.

William Bleigh: "No"? Is that what you said? Is THAT what you said?

William Bleigh: You will clean up this ship and yourselves!

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Outstanding performances by the leads, and the fact that Bligh is more sympathetic instead of raving mad makes for a much more realistic and interesting telling." -- Vince Leo, Qwipster's Movie Reviews