Stanko's Stance

Director: Frank Lloyd
Writers: Talbot Jennings, Jules Furthman, Carey Wilson, Charles Nordhoff, James Norman Hall, John Farrow, Margaret Booth
Staring: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone
Streaming: HBO Max
Release Date: 1935

“First mate Fletcher Christian leads a revolt against his sadistic commander, Captain Bligh, in this classic seafaring adventure, based on the real-life 1788 mutiny.“

This is the first movie I watched after nearly two weeks without a one, and it was a fantastic decision. Mutiny On The Bounty is a harrowing drama with a sharp script, fantastic directing and a wonderous sense of atmosphere. You feel yourself swaying with the waves of the Bounty and you definitely feel the arc of each character’s growth.

Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh is one of the most despicable acting performances I have ever seen. And that is a compliment. The torturing of men, the flogging of dead men and the pure distain for any freedom; all of it is as tumultuous a tempest.

Franchot Tone as Roger Byam has the most complex growth as a character. Starting off as the naive seamen with a career laid out ahead of him, Bryam evolves into his own man. His final speech at the conclusion of the movie is classic stage acting, delivering a soliloquy that delivers the whole point of the story in one fell swoop.

Bryam’s character is shaped heavily by Clark Gable’s portrayal of Christian, the man who leads the angry men on the mutiny of the boat. It is just now clicking with me that the hero who leads people on an exodus from evil to a paradise is named…Christian. Maybe a tad on the nose. But even with that direct punch to the viewers cerebrum,

Laughton, Tone and Gable were all nominated for Oscars in leading roles for their efforts in Mutiny On The Bounty. The movie itself was nominated for seven awards, and only won for Best Picture.

Strictly for myself, Mutiny On The Bounty checks off a lot of my personal list in terms of Oscar Winners, NBR Top 10 Films of the Year and AFI top films. Would recommend this to anyone. It shows that special effects don’t mean squat if you have star power and a great script.

STANKO RATING: A- (4.5/5 Stars)

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