Conference bookie::movies

    The HISTORY conference (press KP7 to add), topic 102, discusses the
    Bounty mutiny, including some speculation as to the fates of the
    mutineers. (There are also references to books on the subject, for
    those who want to pursue it further.)
    
    Haven't seen the Hopkins/Gibson version of the movie. How does it
    compare to earlier versions?
    
    -b

RE                       <<< Note 220.1 by DSSDEV::RUST >>>

>    Haven't seen the Hopkins/Gibson version of the movie. How does it
>    compare to earlier versions?
    
  It is the most realistic and believable of the 3 versions. 

  The 1st version, someone fill in the correct actors, was made back in the
40's or 50's and followed the format of good guys wearing white hats and bad
guys wearing black hats. Fletcher Christain was shown to be a kind leader while
Captain Blyth was shown to be extremely cruel. There were no moral questions,
and obviously the hero had to mutiny against the forces of evil. 

  In the 60's version with Brando as Fletcher Christain there were no good
guys. Typical of the dark movies to come from the 60, the Captain remained evil
while Christain appeared as a typical introspective Brando character who
pondered great thoughts yet joined the Navy simply because "one has to do
something and the Army is a bit dusty". 

  The modern version was more realistic with neither character being good or
evil and both being caught up in the events of the time. Gibson's Fletcher
Christian is an officer who is seduced by the South Pacific along with most of
the crew and has a hard time readjusting to the rigors of British Navy life
while Blyth is shown as a hard but responsible captain using the techniques of
the day to try to beat the crew back into shape after being spoiled by a rather
liberal shore leave. 

  The 3 versions end in different places. As I recall the 1st version goes
on through the trial of those that were captured and speculates as to life on
the island, while the last seems to end much sooner. I forget where the Brando
version ended. 

  As to why Adams didn't reveal what happened perhaps he wasn't asked and
perhaps he didn't know. As I recall they were discovered by an American whaling
crew who might not have known what questions to ask. And it's quite possible
that the group had split up and Adams wasn't sure what had happened to the
others. 

  George 

    
    	The Hopkins/Gibson remake of Mutiny on the Bounty is my second
    favorite of the three versions made of the story. I think the
    Howard/Brando version is the best and the Laughton/Gable version the
    least enjoyable. 
    	The Hopkins/Gibson version seemed to tell the story in a different
    way and was of course much more technically advanced than the first
    two. It seems like you need to see all three versions to even get close 
    to understanding the story and then still you won't get it all. Each
    one has it's own interpretation of what happened before,during and
    after the mutiny. To read the book(s) is one's best chance to grasp the
    entire story. 
    	National Geographic did a spread on Pitcarin Island a few years ago,
    most of the inhabitants today bear the names of Christian, Mills, Adams
    etc.
    	
    	-Tim  

    Mel Gibson looks *so* good in the version of Mutiny on The Bounty he's
    in.  I saw this when it was out in the movies several years ago, and
    the main thing I remember it for is that it was the first time that I
    actually realized how gorgeous Mel is.   
    
    Lorna
    

    I believe that the third version makes indirect but clear references
    to repressed sexual feelings being part of the motivation. I remember
    that Bligh was clearly presented as being attracted to Christian, and
    being all the more infuriated when Christain was enjoying the very
    open and sexual hospitality of the Tahitians.  It looked as though
    we were meant to think that Bligh was not consciously aware of this
    attraction, but that his jealousy powered his unjust treatment of
    the sailors, etc.
    
    It's an interesting story and well worth checking out HISTORY for.
    
    		-John Bishop

    FWIW, the title of the Hopkins/Gibson verison was actually 
    "The Bounty", not "Mutiny on the Bounty".
    
    Since this topic is about all three (or more) films, a topic title
    change is probably not warranted.
    
    - Dave

    I think the Gibson/Hopkins version was extremely pretty (Mel,
    Tahiti and the various natives) but s*l*o*w. Great travelog for the
    South Pacific but I hit F-F quite a few times. 
    
    If it were tightened up, the depiction of the characters was
    interesting and well acted, and I enjoyed the trial of Hopkins/Bligh
    framing the action. 
    
    The director of "The Bounty" could have left a bit more on the 
    cutting room floor.
    
    Cheers,
    George

    An interesting comparison between the Howard/Brando and Laughton/Gable
    versions has to do with the final dispositon of the "Bounty" and the
    Fletcher Christian character's participation in this event.
    
    Two very different actions resulting from opposing motivations. 
    History will never know.
    

    The thing I remember the Hopkins/Gibson Bounty film for is Mel's
    near-famous, angst-ridden line: "I AM IN *HELLLLLLLL*!!!!!"  
    
    :)
    
    Oh well, different movies stand out in different ways I guess.
    
    
    kim

The supporting performances were interesting as well: 
Daniel-Day Lewis, Liam Neeson (I think), and John 
Sessions (English comedian/actor probably unfamiliar
to American audiences).

A very beautiful film which I long to own on LD if 
they will only re-master the original, dreadful,
transfer to disc.

dcl

    
    John Sessions was unfamiliar to American audiences till he showed up in
    things like Nuns on the Run and Whose Line is it Anyway?
    
    DFW

Neither "Nuns..." nor "Who's Line..." are exactly main-
stream successes.  I'll bet 90% of the CATV subscribers
(never mind those who don't have cable) have never
caught "Who's Line..." on Comedy Channel.  Great show,
by the way.

dcl

    Sessions is in Brannaghs Henry V also.
    
    As I recall in the Brando/Howard version , Brando dies at the end as
    the ship burns in the distance, he has decided that he wants to return
    to england to face court martial. The rest of the crew decide to burn
    the ship to stop him, and I think hee is badly burned/crushed trying to
    save the ship.
    
    I know it's an easy jibe to make but 
    I have to say that Brandos 'English' accent is, er , quite something. 
    
    It's also true that Bligh was t, I think, the only Royal Navy Captain
    NOT to loose his comission after a mutiny, largely due to his conduct 
    when cast adrift.