Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film: 178 Minutes (U.K. Version: 185 Minutes)

Rated: Not Rated

Genre: Adventure, Drama, History

Director: Lewis Milestone, Carol Reed

Starring: Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard, Richard Harris, Hugh Griffith, Richard Haydn, Tarita

IMDB Rank: 7.3/10

Part 1 Time: 108 Minutes (U.K. Version: 108 Minutes)

Part 2 Time: 70 Minutes (U.K. Version: 77 Minutes)

Where does the first part end? Seamen John Mills (Richard Harris), Matthew Quintal (Percy Herbert), and Edward Birkett (Gordon Jackson) speak below deck about the savage on-board ship conditions imposed by Captain William Bligh (Trevor Howard).

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “But I hope Bligh keeps pushing him, like he did just now, Christian (Marlon Brando) will turn on him. I know what he is thinking, I can see it in his face and I do not intend to let him forget it” states John to Matthew and Edward.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Five months we spent in Tahiti, it seemed more like five minutes.” Narrates William Brown (Richard Haydn).

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, many seaman are not only frustrated with Captain Bligh, but also heartbroken by having to leave the relationships they have made with the woman of Tahiti. Fletcher Christian an officer is also affected due due his strong relationship with the Tahiti Chief’s daughter. A mutiny is beginning to take shape on the bounty!

Which part is better? Part one explains the complications faced among crew members on the Bounty, around the Cape of Good Hope as well as the savage punishments commanded by Bligh toward defying seaman. Part two explains the Bounties voyage from Tahiti back to Britain, which is interrupted due to a mutiny. The mutineers are forced to find a new island to avoid justice from the British Army. Due to the content presented, both parts have highlights making it difficult to determine a better part. Part two has the slight edge as it details the events of the mutiny and the search for a new island.

Academy Awards: 1963- Best Picture (Nominated), Best Cinematography-Colour (Nominated), Best Art Direction- Set Direction Colour (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated), Best Effects-Special Effects (Nominated), Best Original Score (Nominated), Best Music Score-Substantially Original (Nominated).