Mutiny on the Bounty

It’s impossible not to compare it with the more recent Bounty from 1984, which emerges as the winner of the imaginary duel. Milestone's classic is indeed more verbose (although the newer version is no slouch in this respect either), but that's about it. In Donaldson's version, the characters are much more complex and psychologically believable – Hopkins's Bligh is a very strict but also fair captain, driven to repression by circumstances where it was obvious that the crew's morale and respect for him as the highest authority was declining and the situation was getting out of hand, but thanks to some of his very questionable decisions, he was partly to blame for the situation. Here, in the earlier classic, Howard's Bligh is so evil that his character descends into ridiculous caricature. Mel Gibson's Fletcher is part idealist, but even more so an irresponsible jerk who in many ways is not very "in touch" with the concept of discipline, while Brand's Fletcher is like a choirboy but in a sailor's uniform. And I could go on. Moreover, in Donaldson's version some scenes come out much more impressively (the daughter leaving her father the chief, the floggings, etc.) and it also has a much better ending, which on the one hand sticks much closer to the historical realities, but especially in the conflict of Fletcher looking for a new place to live vs. the ungrateful rebellious crew gives the film a new dimension. There is simply nothing black and white in life, which Donaldson's film shows beautifully, while Milestone's old classic sticks to the Hollywood idealisation typical of the time. Giving it high ratings just because it stars one of the greatest acting giants in history just doesn't appeal to me :) (05/01/2007)

A great Brando in a proper adventure film. The breathtaking scenery of Tahiti and the open seas is still captivating after all these years. (11/17/2008)

A three-hour long mega movie, during which I never for a minute considered anything but the highest rating. The transformation that Brand's Fletcher Christian undergoes, as he goes from cocky heel to someone completely different, is fascinating, as is the ever-escalating tension and stuffiness created and fueled by Captain Blight (the terrific Trevor Howard). The wide-angle, gritty, beautifully colored and brilliantly-scored-by-Kaper conflict sails from start to finish exactly according to the charts and follows the course I like best - it's a great, clever spectacle with an idea that shouldn't be forgotten. (07/09/2011)