This isn't the type of movie I normally enjoy (nor do I normally care much for Melville books). But, I'm finding myself drawn in by the performances. Terrence Stamp and Robert Ryan were brilliant.
Some days I want to buy everyone a dictionary
Me too. Haven't read the book but I was expecting a dull and sluggish film - it was quite the opposite, however.
shareI had to read the book in high school; fortunately it was interesting to me, unlike much of the other required reading. I watched the film to see a very young Terence Stamp, but was drawn into the film overall.
shareCan I state my stupidity? For a long Time, I thought that Billy Budd was a musical taking place in Kansas. Okay, make fun of me now. But I cam to really enjoy it, especially the drum head trial. Brilliantly written.
I think I am taking all of this rather well.
Just finished watching Billy Budd the first time. I wish we had read it in High School. Then again I think I'm better able to appreciate it now because I've had a few Claggarts in my life (I suppose we all have) and this story does put things in perspective. There will always be people who take a disliking to you. There will always be injustice (often helped along by the law). Billy Bud doesn't become bitter over it, even to the end.
"Starscream cookies are more than meets the icing!" --Nostalgia Critic
I think you'll find that was Sterling Hayden. There is a resemblance between the two.
"I beseech ye in the bowels of Christ, think that ye may be mistaken."
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Chances are good that Herman Melville got the idea for the book from his contacts in the US Navy and amongst the US seafaring crowd. Melville knew many of the important admirals, captains and politicians at the time. The story idea may well have come from the incident in which a young midshipman named Philip Spenser was clapped in irons and hanged along with two malcontents with a history of piracy. Spenser, himself, was the son of the US Navy Secretary but was a difficult charge. Spenser (fils) assaulted his former commanding officer and had been kicked off two other ships. He consorted with the crew who liked him because he had access to tobacco and rum. He would come back from shore leave dead drunk, and in Nigeria came back to the ship under the influence of drugs. He would have been cashiered long before, except that he was the son of the most important civilian authority over the Navy. On board the midshipmen's training vessel he caused trouble and with his cohorts, possibly threatened to take over the small ship to use her for slave trade and piracy. He was finally hanged from a mast with his two conspirators. His family ultimately swept the whole matter under the rug because upon investigation, there were rumors of his buggery with crew members. Read account by Capt. Edward L. Beach in History of the US Navy over 200 years. The chapter I'm citing is called 7. "Mutiny," in quotes. "Billy Budd," Melville's book, was later made into an opera by British composer Benjamin Britten, ergo, perhaps the reference to a "Musical" earlier in the thread.
shareI found this movie by happy accident while flipping through the dial the other day. What an interesting movie.
shareI go through TCM schedule looking for stuff to PVR. I record quite a few things but many I delete without watching and a few I give a chance only to lose interest fairly quickly. I'm open to old films, but selectively. This was one I didn't know that much about and could just as easily not have bothered, but was gratified to find it grabbed me from the first frame and didn't let go. It's rare to find a film that engrossing, among even contemporary fare. Only the closing voice-over lines detracted from the experience, they seemed completely unnecessary and hokey. Never mind, an excellent and deeply moving film.
shareThat’s awesome to hear!
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