The Bounty (1984)

This version of "The Bounty" story was one of David Lean's unrealized projects. The screenplay was by Lean's longtime collaborator Robert Bolt and it finally reached the screen under the direction of Roger Donaldson who actually does a very good job. This takes a different slant on the usual take on the mutiny making Bligh, (an excellent Anthony Hopkins), if not exactly the hero, considerably less of a villain than he is usually painted while Christian, (Mel Gibson), is weak and dissolute with his own, selfish motives for rebelling. There is also a much greater emphasis on the events after the mutiny than in previous pictures.It may lack the physical excitement of the Frank Lloyd version but it's definitely an improvement on the elephantine Brando/Howard remake. The large cast includes early performances from Daniel Day-Lewis and Liam Neeson as well as Edward Fox and Laurence Olivier as officers presiding at Bligh's court-martial and there's a terrific performance from the New Zealand actor Wi Kuki Kaa as King Tynah. Like all good yarns this has stood the test of time remarkably well.

Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Liam Neeson...within a decade after The Bounty was released, each would be imprinted in the public consciousness. Mr Gibson as Riggs in Lethal Weapon, Mr Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, and Mr Neeson as Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List. Who would have thought that one movie would generate such star wattage big time?? I mean, with due respect, but can you imagine the Fast and the Furious generating such star wattage after a decade? The Bounty is a masterful movie that deals with the famous mutiny with sub-themes of betrayal, sex, power and the lust exhibited by the white male members of the Bounty crew towards the darker toned Tahitian women, the descendants of whom live on Pitcairn Island and Norfolk Island, where lust and passion still prevail amongst some female descendants and white male interlopers on Island ("jumped the fence").One thing that's overlooked in The Bounty...the crucial role of the chefs on the Bounty. I'd like to know the role they played in keeping the crew fed and watered during such trying times.

example of measure. in acting, story, characters portraits. a remarkable cast. and inspired music. a film who can be disappointed for the hunters of historical truth details. but a good gift for admirers of Anthony Hopkins or Laurence Olivier. a film who has as axis the music of Vangelis and examples of admirable performances- except, maybe, Mel Gibson who prefers create a role without root - but the work of Wi Kuki Kaa is a nice compensation, wise in solutions for atmosphere and for the tension, with a little brutal end, it is more than a good film. the source of this status - the balance between courage and science.and the flavor of pure chronicle of an exceptional case.

The 1935 version of "Mutiny on the Bounty" was simply one of the best films of the decade. Despite being in black & white, it is still a very powerful and compelling picture today. The 1962 version, while not quite as good, was made with amazing production values and is a gorgeous looking film. Both are worth seeing. So why, then, did they remake the film again in 1984?! In fact, the public must have thought the exact same thing, as they stayed away from "The Bounty" and it lost a fortune. The production cost $25,000,000 and only earned a bit more than $8,000,000 in its biggest market, the US. Aside from the 'been there/done that' aspect of the film, is there any other reason for the film being such a flop? Well, perhaps Mel Gibson's bizarre performance was also a contributing factor. In this remake, his Fletcher Christian seemed, at times, just plain nuts--especially when the mutiny occurs. Regardless, I found this to be one of the most unnecessary films ever made. Not terrible, just completely unneeded. My advice is to see the first and, perhaps, second version and pass on this one despite a nice performance by Anthony Hopkins as Bligh.