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Damn the Defiant!

1962 1h 41m History Drama List
100% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
It is the height of the Napoleonic Wars and, at sea, Capt. Crawford (Alec Guinness) is in charge of the H.M.S. Defiant. Well-liked by his crew, Crawford clashes with the newest man on board, Lt. Scott-Padget (Dirk Bogarde). Scott-Padget thinks Crawford is soft on the men and uses Crawford's son, who is aboard, to manipulate the ship's leader. As tensions on the vessel mount, Crawford must keep his sailors focused on fighting the enemy, not each other.
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Damn the Defiant!

Critics Reviews

View All (7) Critics Reviews
Roger Moore Movie Nation Stodgy...the action sequences can seem as if they’re in slow motion as large spars (masts and booms) slowly tumble to the deck...more of a decent-to-good film than a great one. Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 7, 2023 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Alec Guinness gives a dignified performance as the humanitarian captain. Rated: B Mar 22, 2008 Full Review Bob Bloom Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) colorful period piece with another strong performance from Alec Guinness. Rated: 3/5 Nov 16, 2007 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Aug 8, 2005 Full Review Robin Clifford Reeling Reviews Rated: 3/5 Nov 19, 2004 Full Review Carol Cling Las Vegas Review-Journal Rated: 3/5 Aug 22, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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S R Overall I was disappointed by the rough plot and character motivations. It's a shame because this could have been excellent. I mostly saw it for Guiness and he was good for the role of a man struggling to stand up to a first mate who threatened his captaincy. Saw on Delta. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/12/23 Full Review Andy F A seafaring epic set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. An all star blockbuster cast headed majestically by Guinness and Bogarde. They don't make them like this anymore - wonderful! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Overall, while I don't normally care about history and war films, I'm quite proud to admit that Damn the Defiant grabbed my attention early on and exceeded my expectations.  There's a great drama on display here, and tension builds up nicely towards unexpected conclusions.  Performances are raw and realistic, thanks to Alec Guinness and Dirk Bogarde, who both have great on-screen chemistry and share excellent, authentic-feeling dialogue.  For its time of release, it's a wonderful achievement, and Director Lewis Gilbert would later direct more exciting films such as Alfie and various James Bond films, including Moonraker.  Damn the Defiant is highly creative and powerful as it sets sail. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/11/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a well made thrilling sailing navy flick. The acting is first rate led by the great Guinness. The back and forth between Crawford and Scott-Padget is intriguing although more background for Scott-Padget would help. It's not quite at the level of the best of the genre but it's plenty good enough. The miniature action is quite nice. The hand to hand combat is thrilling. It's solid swashbuckling with a compelling clash of personalities. Glad that stumbled onto the movie while browsing boxxy software. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member The battle scenes are fantastic for a film over fifty years old. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Not my usual type of film, but the cast make this typical mutiny film very watchable indeed Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Damn the Defiant!

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis It is the height of the Napoleonic Wars and, at sea, Capt. Crawford (Alec Guinness) is in charge of the H.M.S. Defiant. Well-liked by his crew, Crawford clashes with the newest man on board, Lt. Scott-Padget (Dirk Bogarde). Scott-Padget thinks Crawford is soft on the men and uses Crawford's son, who is aboard, to manipulate the ship's leader. As tensions on the vessel mount, Crawford must keep his sailors focused on fighting the enemy, not each other.
Director
Lewis Gilbert
Producer
John Brabourne
Screenwriter
Nigel Kneale, Edmund H. North
Production Co
Columbia Pictures
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 27, 2010
Runtime
1h 41m
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