Billy Budd (1962)

When a film receives critical acclaim the director is usually the first person that the media points to as being responsible for the film's success. I noticed that IMDB has Billy Budd at an overall rating of 7.9 which I am more than a bit surprised at such a high overall rating. Peter Ustinov as the film's director penciled himself in as none other than the ship's Post Captain of the Royal Navy, Edwin Fairfax Vere, and the crew's moral compass. When Billy Budd is confronted by the mean and manipulative liar Master of Arms/Captain John Claggart (Robert Ryan) trouble follows the young Billy Budd (played by 24 year old Terrence Stamp), whose fate is left in the hands of the ship's Post Captain of the Royal Navy, Edwin Fairfax Vere, and his military brass.I thought Robert Ryan was not cast properly as the Master Of Arms and that hat he is wearing looked absolutely ridiculous. His hat reminds me of the Irish leprechaun from the Lucky Charms cereal commercials. All that was needed was for Robert Ryan to jump up in the air and kick up his heels as he doles out his punishment(s) to the various crew members to be reminded he was acting more like a leprechaun and less as a Master Of Arms.I also did not think that this film held up well over the decades. I certainly would not even place it near to the class of watchable film as the 1954 film Caine Mutiny, starring Humphrey Bogart, and/or the 1962 Mutiny On the Bounty, starring Marlon Brando. I love the old films all the way from the 1940's-70's so as much as I wanted to see Billy Budd I am going to blame the poor delivery on the film's director and star Peter Ustinov. He really should have stuck to acting only.I give the film a poor 3 out of 10 rating. I cannot recommend Billy Budd for any value whatsoever.

I read Melville's novel in High School and recall being extremely affected by the comparison of evil vs innocence as one and the same menace. After watching the film adaptation, I have even stronger feelings of the incompetent writing which may or may not be Melville's. With only one witness to the death of the 'Evil Grinch', and a committee very willing to corroborate evidence and a 'Get Out of Jail Card', how does the Law and Justice speech make any sense? The Captain leaves it solely to the 'Man from Uncle' to justify bending the rules, but the entire film does just that, beginning to end. How can you support such weak characters when there were limited repercussions to the acquittal vs high mutiny potential?Of course this alternate version of Karma and dying for someone else's sins may have a corollary or two in literature, but the figures just don't add up. First, this lovely lad was not trying to take over the ship, judge or insult anyone, or scare them into fear mongering morons. When really bad things happen to extremely good people you can only empathize with the scenario in a non-fiction setting. Otherwise, the constant sadistic behavior rewarded in the end is most annoying and irrational. Rate Melville as a rank amateur if you will, but decidedly not a Spielberg emotionally manipulating hack.I had to prepare a report on this book so long ago and I asked my sweet boyfriend to write it for me while I attended to other higher priority projects. I got into a lot of hot water for that stint as he just copied the Cliff notes. I sadly lost an opportunity to express many personal observations that I experienced several times in my life. Apologies, mostly to myself.High recommend for Terrence Stamp's enduring portrayal of love, trust, forgiveness, and joie de vivre.

Terrific 1962 film detailing justice, morality and devotion to the law.Robert Ryan is fabulous as the Master-of-Arms, cruel at every step, who believes that flogging is the answer to everything. He is the very answer to Captain Bligh on "Mutiny on the Bounty."Naive Billy, played by supporting Oscar nominee Terence Stamp, conveys the simplicity, and the man who was unfortunate enough to be subjected to military standards.Peter Ustinov is terrific here as the head who sees no way out to free Budd, despite the fact that what he did could easily be justified. The law was the law and it had to be enforced.Melvyn Douglas proves that wisdom comes through age by learning by experience.Finally, the crew, ready to rebel immediately sees that duty comes first when at war.This was truly an absorbing film.

In 1797, while waging a seafaring war with France, English sailor Terence Stamp (as William "Billy" Budd) is recruited from a merchant ship called "Rights of Man" to serve on the battleship "Avenger" by order of steadfast Captain Peter Ustinov (as Edwin Fairfax Vere). The young, handsome, and fair-haired Mr. Stamp becomes equally popular with his new crew-mates. Full of innocence and good nature, Stamp wins the approval of everyone except sadistic "Master d'Arms" Robert Ryan (as John Claggart). The antithesis of Stamp, Mr. Ryan derives orgasmic pleasure from flogging his men. Stamp wants to win Ryan's soul from the dark side, but the cause is hopeless… This is Herman Melville's classic "Billy Budd" in the hands of Mr. Ustinov, an actor who should have been asked to direct more films. The project is a near-masterpiece, with Ustinov also credited as producer and co-writer. The film is true to the heart of Melville's story, with Ustinov arguably overplaying his hand only in his own characterization; his "Vere" is a "devil's advocate" who completely ignores Ryan's crimes and Stamp's defense. But, this remains a great allegorical story of good and evil. "Found in a silk-lined basket," the Biblical "Billy Budd" is faithful.Unfortunately, this ship was launched after MGM's Marlon Brando re-make of "Mutiny on the Bounty" had sucked all the water out of the ocean. Even so, Ustinov's film was recognized as the superior work. He received a "Best Director" nomination from "Film Daily" and the film showed up on 1962's "Best Picture" lists. In an unusually strong year, the "National Board" had it finish at #2.In only his second feature, Stamp made an impression that was hard to ignore, winning the "Film Daily" award in the "Supporting Actor" category and a "Golden Globe" in their newcomer category. Inarguably the star of "Billy Budd", Stamp also received his one and only (as of this writing) "Academy Award" nomination - but in the "Supporting" category. None of this helped Ryan, the film's un-nominated best supporting actor. Make sure you have your remote control ready to rewind after about an hour of running time - you may want to re-play the pivotal moonlight scene wherein Ustinov directs Stamp to make his final attempt at charming the pants off Ryan; this confrontation is truly amazing.********* Billy Budd (11/12/62) Peter Ustinov ~ Terence Stamp, Robert Ryan, Peter Ustinov, Melvyn Douglas