The Bounty

Having recently watched all three films (1935, 62, and 84) I would have to say that this one comes in at 3 of the 3. This is not to say that it's a bad movie. It's not. It was enjoyable. Just if I were to put them in order of (my personal) preference they would be Brando in 62, Gable/Laughton in 35, and then this one. Although this one may be the most historically accurate, it just wasn't that compelling of a story. The soundtrack by Vangelis made it seem at times that I was watching a vintage episode of Miami Vice. In fact even though I'm a big fan of Mel Gibson this wasn't close to his best work and Don Johnson may have made a better Fletcher Christian (not kidding). The way that Hopkins played Bligh it was difficult to dislike him never mind make him the villain of the story. And maybe that's the weakness of the film. No clear villain as the Blighs of 35 and 62 and no clear heroes as with Clark Gable and Marlon Brando's reluctant anti-hero. The one thing this does have over the other two films is the very accurate portrayal of the Tahitian way of life in the 1700s. very easy to see why the crew of the Bounty was reluctant to leave. Finally, of the three films, this one leaves the story at the earliest point. The end of Bligh's trial in London at the same time as Mutineers landing on Pitcairn Island. All-in-all a good film worth watching. Just not the most entertaining of the lot.

Anthony Hopkins, Daniel Day-Lewis, Liam Neeson, Mel Gibson...nuff said.

This movie is great--I don't write reviews very often. The different spin on Lt. (later Captain) Bligh, played by the ever-talented Anthony Hopkins, does not allow you to villainize him. Rather, the plot unfolds with situations handled both correctly and poorly on his part. Situations are not always black and white, and The Bounty leaves the viewer wondering 1) what would I have done in his situation, and 2) why is this movie is so overlooked?

As a previous reviewer said, it is interesting to note that Captain Bligh is a hard commander, but is no scoundrel. The viewer has to make up her/his own mind as to who is right and who is wrong in regards to the mutiny. It reminded me of "The Caine Mutiny" in some respects. Liam Neeson is not credited above but is most definitely in the film as a crew member.

Perfectly casted film, Mel Gibson gave an brilliant performance as the rebel Fletcher Christian, as did Anthony Hopkins as the ship's tyranous Captain Bligh. What I like most about this film is that it is a unique departure from previous other Bounty films which often portrayed Bligh as the villain, as this is based on actual events rather than on Hollywood's "romanticization" of the story. Not to be missed.