Damn the Defiant!

1962

1h 41m

History

Drama

List

100%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

63%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

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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

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Lewis Gilbert

Director

Alec Guinness

Captain Crawford

Dirk Bogarde

Lieut. Scott-Padget

Maurice Denham

Mr. Goss

Nigel Stock

Senior Midshipman Kilpatrick

Richard Carpenter

Lieut. Ponsonby

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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
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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