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Which version of MOTB is best: 1984, 1962 or 1935?

posted 8 years ago by WWu777
17 replies | jump to latest

Which film version of this story, Mutiny on the Bounty, do you all like best? The 1984 one with Mel Gibson, or the 1962 one with Marlon Brando, or the 1935 one with Clark Gable? And why?

There are only three film versions of this story right?

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[–] Kojiro_Vance 8 years ago

I personally like the Brando version. It has a nice classic feel, and it stars Trevor Howard!

The scene when the officers are dining (just after the beating), when he's talking to Brando and Young, he says:

Now don't mistake me. I'm not advising cruelty or brutality with no purpose. My point is that cruelty with purpose is not cruelty - it's efficiency. Then a man will never disobey once he's watched his mate's backbone laid bare. He'll see the flesh jump, hear the whistle of the whip for the rest of his life.

And then he returns to his meal :)

I don't know which version of the movie is the most historical accurate, or who the real Bligh was, but Howard really made him a strong character.

Hopkins was just a clown :) Acting like a lunatic. LOOK THERE SIR, FILTH! AND THERE FILTH! AND THERE, MORE FILTH. LOOK SIR, FILTH. OVER THERE, SIR, FILTH. 

What were they thinking???

The Clark Gable version was OK.

[–] Edward_de_Vere 8 years ago

I don't know which version of the movie is the most historical accurate, or who the real Bligh was, but Howard really made him a strong character.

I like Trevor Howard too (particularly in The Third Man), but I thought that his "Bligh" was written as a caricatured villain in Mutiny on the Bounty. He was portrayed as a one-dimensional sadist rather than as the Bligh of a historical record: a man with poor social skills trying to maintain order among a crew of rabble.

Hopkins' portrayal is probably closer to the real Blight than either the 35 or 62 film. Bligh shouted a lot and threw tantrums, but he didn't get a kick out of starving or beating members of the crew. In fact, Bligh was probably more forgiving in punishing offenders than most captains of the time: notice that he had two deserters beaten when he could have hanged them.

[–] J-Street1 8 years ago

1984 -- It's a stronger film. Much more engrossing and it feels more authentic.

⚾

[–] chas437 8 years ago

1984 is far superior. Censorship rendered the earlier versions inferior.

[–] Itsmedrooms2 8 years ago

I agree that the '84 version was the best by far and was thought to be the most accurate depiction of events. The island girls didn't hurt either lol.

[–] liscarkat (16552) 4 years ago

They all have their strong points, and weak points. All three are worth seeing.

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

1984, by far.

Roger Donaldson executed his vision flawlessly and Gibson and Hopkins were perfectly cast (nothing against Supes but I think Gibson replacing Reeve was the best thing for the film). I agree with the other comments that it seems the most authentic and the least melodramatic.

I really love this movie.

[–] rateater (9240) 4 years ago

1984

[–] Snoopy828 (496) 4 years ago

1935 for me. Love it the best.

I also love the 62 version.

The 84 version is just OKAY.