The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Request: The Bounty (1984)

How many times can the film industry tell the same classic tale? Infinite number of times if there is money to be made and artistic expression to be had. Mutiny on the Bounty has been told quite a few times and has made great impacts in the film world. The likes of Clark Gable and Marlon Brando starred in different versions that made big dents at the Oscars. But back in 1984, director Roger Donaldson took one more jab at this story and brought it back to the silver screen with The Bounty. This is a tale of a British lieutenant who is put on trial for “losing” his ship. Mutineers on the high seas…what else could you ask for in period drama? 

How does this version of the tale of The Bounty stand out? The biggest element that will last with you long afterwards is, oddly enough, the score. This was the early 1980s so Vangelis was one of the biggest names in music. Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire are iconic films with iconic scores. The Bounty’s score should seriously be in the same conversation. For a film that would probably be considered “a stuffy historical flick”, this score creates a unique and engrossing atmosphere. Not to take anything away from Arthur Ibbetson, the cinematographer, because there is some incredible photographic work in this film as well. Ibbetson captures some awe-inspiring shots with great scale and richness to the world. The production and costume design are pitch perfect as well. From a technical perspective, this film truly delivers. 

What is the other large piece of success for this more modern adaptation of a classic tale? The actors really bring the film to life. Anthony Hopkins is a powerhouse as the captain of this ship. His acting is top notch, and his performance has some big and memorable moments with his roars and scowls. His performance is the lynchpin for the whole film. There are a pair of performances that are the main conflicts to Hopkins’ captain. Those actors? Mel Gibson and Daniel Day-Lewis. Both actors were rising stars at the time. Gibson is fresh from his work on the first two Mad Max films, and you can see his charisma shining through in his role of the mutineering Fletcher Christian. Day-Lewis is one of the greatest actors of all time and you can see those skills shining through here as well. Both make for great antagonistic forces for Hopkins in the film. On the ship, Liam Neeson and Bernard Hill (both so young) make some lasting impressions as well. In the courtroom, Laurence Olivier and Edward Fox bring their legendary talents to interrogating Hopkins. 

Does the film deliver narratively? The story of this mutiny is quite standard. The beats are laid out well and the structure is there to hold the film together. The elements of the story that take place with the island native populations feels a little old and tired for a film that came out in the 1980s. This adaptation does feel a bit old and retreaded for a film that came out forty years after the first. But to be fair…this one came out forty years from today. There was probably more room for modernization in the sensibilities and some of its narrative elements but at least all the classic elements were done well. This film does feel like it probably could have been tighter with a runtime of 135-minutes. The story is familiar, and you can see exactly where the story is going to take them. But at least all the technical elements and acting help keep this voyage afloat.

Is The Bounty a worthwhile adaptation of a long-adapted story? This is still a classic tale of oppression versus freedom. Order versus chaos. The perspectives to take are intriguing as this film is still able to capture the question “Who was in the right?”. Who was right? Who was wrong? The ambiguity of life shines through where there is not quite a right answer and that is perfectly okay. If you love a good old-fashioned thriller on the high seas in a bygone era of big ships and big sails, The Bounty is right there for you. 

Thank you for the recommendation, Jessica Conto (my wife).