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Mutiny on the Bounty

Play trailer Poster for Mutiny on the Bounty Released Nov 8, 1935 2h 12m Adventure Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 74 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
As the cruel captain of the HMS Bounty, a ship bound for Tahiti, William Bligh (Charles Laughton) wins few friends. When the crew members finally tire of his abuse, Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable) leads a mutiny, resulting in Bligh's unceremonious removal from the ship. While Christian and the remaining crew sail on to Tahiti, Bligh becomes intent on exacting revenge, and he targets Roger Byam (Franchot Tone), a sailor who had actually tried to stop the mutiny.
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Mutiny on the Bounty

Mutiny on the Bounty

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Critics Consensus

The historical inaccuracies in this high-seas adventure are more than offset by its timeless themes, larger-than-life performances from Clark Gable and Charles Laughton, and Frank Lloyd's superb direction.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael New Yorker The director, Frank Lloyd, goes after "human interest" details in a broad, conventional manner... But for the kind of big-budget, studio controlled romantic adventure that it is, it's very well done. Jul 28, 2022 Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer This stirring, beautifully made and splendidly acted picture must stand as the maritime masterpiece of the motion picture art. Every hour and every dollar lavished upon the production is repaid two-fold in the result. Jul 28, 2022 Full Review Edwin Schallert Los Angeles Times It is a great production, recalling the best days of the silent films in its photographic excellence. Jul 28, 2022 Full Review Mark Johnson Awards Daily The film was a huge hit at the box office, and was heavy on action, mysterious settings, clashing drama, and high-seas adventure. Jun 27, 2023 Full Review Ada Hanifin San Francisco Examiner Never has Laughton recreated such a composite character as the strange, unhealthy creature that manned the Bounty... It is a magnificent performance, and, indisputably, Laughton's greatest. Jul 28, 2022 Full Review Mark Van Doren The Nation Frank Lloyd's direction has amplitude and clarity... It is Mr. Laughton, however, whom we watch; and I cannot believe that this is to be accounted for on any other theory than that he has resources beyond the power of even the most brilliant direction. Jul 28, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Connor S The rare true story that is almost perfectly executed. Yet, is it the best version of this I've seen? No. #Brando Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/02/24 Full Review jelisije j For the time period for when this movie was made it was very good, but this is a classical example of films that don't age quite well when given the historical information that is provided in our modern times. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Christopher B A Classic and inspiring tale of adventure and morality on the high seas. Both Charles Laughton and Clark Gable as well as all the other stars did an amazing job of portraying their characters with such vigor and care that you melt away into the film it's entire length. A great escapist fantasy film and one that has timeless themes that are always relevant, even today. Any great film is one in which you forget you are watching a movie, this is certainly one of the best to do so. Highly Recommended! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/26/22 Full Review stu b When men were men. ships were ships, and sea captains were callous and cruel. A pre-"Gone With the Wind" Clark Gable plays Fletcher Christian, first mate on an ocean voyage all the way from England to Tahiti, Charles Laughton co-stars as his commanding officer, the notorious Captain Bligh, and Franchot Tone is Fletcher's friend and fellow officer, Roger Byam. Gable is fine, sturdy and combative; Laughton--chin high, head thrust forward, menacing scowl etched permanently on his face--is typically brilliant; and Tone, torn between his friendship with Christian and fealty to Captain and Crown, is excellent. (All three were nominated for Oscars, although none of them won.) Bligh runs his ship like a dictator, with a zero tolerance policy writ in stone, and the men under his command (whom he flogs, and worse, with sickening regularity) begin--no surprise here--to despise him. The action flags a bit once they reach Paradise, but the look of the film is spectacular. (Some of the stormier sequences are so believable, you may find yourself reaching for the Dramamine.) Shot entirely in gorgeous black-and-white. Directed by Frank Lloyd; based on the 1932 novel. Worth seeing. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/04/22 Full Review Audience Member You're not a movie buff if you haven't seen this Golden Age seagoing battle of wills between the King of Hollywood and the multifaceted talent of Sir Charles. William Bligh gets a bad rap from Laughton's portrayal, but when has Hollywood ever let the historical facts get in the way of a good screenplay? This set a high bar for the '62 remake with Trevor Howard and Marlon Brando. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review william d There are too many American accents on this Royal Navy ship and the script makes Bligh too much of a one dimensional villain. Still, the movie is a good one, better than the subsequent versions anyway. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Mutiny on the Bounty

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Movie Info

Synopsis As the cruel captain of the HMS Bounty, a ship bound for Tahiti, William Bligh (Charles Laughton) wins few friends. When the crew members finally tire of his abuse, Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable) leads a mutiny, resulting in Bligh's unceremonious removal from the ship. While Christian and the remaining crew sail on to Tahiti, Bligh becomes intent on exacting revenge, and he targets Roger Byam (Franchot Tone), a sailor who had actually tried to stop the mutiny.
Director
Frank Lloyd
Producer
Frank Lloyd, Irving Thalberg
Screenwriter
Talbot Jennings, Jules Furthman, Carey Wilson
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 8, 1935, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 21, 2016
Runtime
2h 12m
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