Luke
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CibbuanoMutiny on the Bounty
May 18th 2006 06:08
Mutiny on the Bounty (1933)
This is a very entertaining account of the oft-retold historical events. Charles Laughton is terrifically terrifying as the mean-spirited Captain Bligh, Clark Gable romantically-dashing as man’s man Fletcher Christian, and the cast remarkably filled out by a fine host of character-actors. The film manages to be light-hearted and amusing at times without detracting from the gravity of the historical event at the centre of it. It may seem a little uneven to people used to the pace of today’s films, especially with the climax leaving a little to be desired (but thankfully aiming not to meddle with the facts too much).
Without today’s technology to bail them out, the makers of this film were forced to film on location on islands and the sea alike, with very impressive results. This is an 'classic' film in every respect... high quality acting, a fantastic story, capturing a bygone era of class and brutality and representing a bygone era of glorious filmmaking into the bargain.
TRIVIA: Gable was forced to shave off his trademark moustache for the role, much to his chagrin, and Charles Laughton was frightened to death of water! Wallace Beery turned down the role of Captain Bligh. Cary Grant was unavailable to play Byam due to an MGM contract. James Cagney worked as an extra for a day after dropping by the set and asking for a few dollars.
The descendents of Fletcher Christian still live on Pitcairns Island today, some 300 years after the mutineer settled there.
An assistant cameraman died during the filming after a barge capsized.
Gable and Laughton face off.
SEE ALSO: ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ (1962), starring Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard and Richard Harris. And ‘The Bounty’ (1984), starring Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins.
DIRECTOR: Frank Lloyd
WRITER: Talbot Jennings, Jules Furthman, Carey Wilson.
ACTORS: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, Donald Crisp.
SOURCE: Novel by Charles Nordhoff, James Norman Hall.
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I'd like to see the Clark Gable one, though...