Mutiny on the Bounty
Mutiny on the Bounty

Mutiny on the Bounty

1962
Movie
185 min
English

The Bounty leaves Portsmouth in 1787. Its destination: to sail to Tahiti and load bread-fruit. Captain Bligh will do anything to get there as fast as possible, using any means to keep up a strict discipline. When they arrive at Tahiti, it is like a paradise for the crew, something completely different than the living hell aboard the ship. On the way back to England, officer Fletcher Christian becomes the leader of a mutiny.

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Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes57%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users78%
Director: Lewis MilestoneGenres: Adventure, Drama, Biography

Plot Summary

In 1787, the HMS Bounty sets sail for Tahiti to collect breadfruit. Captain Bligh, a stern and tyrannical leader, clashes with his sympathetic lieutenant, Fletcher Christian, and the rest of the crew. The harsh conditions and Bligh's cruelty lead to mounting resentment, culminating in a violent mutiny when the ship is en route back to England after a pleasant stay on the exotic island.

Critical Reception

This lavish MGM production, despite its star power and exotic locations, was met with mixed reviews. Critics often found the film to be overly long and ponderous, though the performances, particularly Marlon Brando's, and the stunning visual scope were generally acknowledged. Audiences were somewhat divided, with some appreciating the epic scale and others finding it less compelling than earlier versions.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually grand and ambitious, but suffers from an overlong runtime and a ponderous pace.
  • Marlon Brando's performance as Fletcher Christian is a highlight, though his portrayal differs significantly from historical accounts.
  • The film's depiction of the Tahitian society is often criticized for being romanticized and inauthentic.

Google audience: Viewers appreciate the film's grand scale, beautiful scenery, and Marlon Brando's performance. However, many find the movie to be too long and slow-moving, with some noting that the story deviates significantly from historical events.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), and Best Supporting Actor (Richard Harris). It won for Best Score.

Fun Fact

Marlon Brando famously insisted on changes to the script and directing style, which led to significant creative conflicts during production, including clashes with director Lewis Milestone.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

**_The most captivating and compelling version of The Bounty story_** The three versions of The Bounty story are **1.** The 1935 black & white version with Clark Gable; **2.** This 1962 Marlon Brando version; and **3.** The 1984 one with...
CinemaSerf

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 s...