The Bounty (1984)
7/10
A worthy 'modern' telling of the great naval story
2 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I've always been a bit of a geek when it comes to Admiralty/historic stories.

The story of the mutiny of the Bounty is a story engrained in me for several years and has been enacted in motion pictures several times.

I have seen the 1935 black and white version starring Clark Gable and Charles Laughton several years ago which I thoroughly enjoyed.

There is also a 1962 epic version starring Marlon Brando which I haven't yet seen. The lengthy run time putting me off.

So what sets this version apart from what has already being filmed?

Casting is a big plus. The film stars Anthony Hopkins as Bounty captain Lieutenant Bligh and Mel Gibson as Fletcher Christian.

Other roles are filled by Laurence Olivier, Liam Neeson, Daniel Day-Lewis and a sprinkling of British television and film actors.

Directorial duties fall to New Zealander Roger Donaldson who crafts a great film that does justice to earlier versions from a slightly different source, that of Lieutenant Bligh's story.

Special effects have advanced by 1984 and are used to a greater effect when showing The Bounty battling great storms around Cape Horn.

Vangelis provides a typically electric score in the vein of Chariots of Fire.

The 2hr 12min run time does the story justice without being as long as the 1962 version.
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