Review of The Bounty (1984) by Jason M — 21 Feb 2016

This may be the best version of the "Bounty" films, the others being 1935 and 1962 releases. This is a more realistic perspective of the true events of the mutinous Bounty voyage. Bligh is what you would expect as a commanding officer. Christian is a young, immature junior officer, who falls for the entrapment of Polynesian paradise. Hopkins acting is credible.

I was expecting much less and got more than anticipated. The events are not as highly dramatized as its more famous previous film versions. Bligh is not a monster. By all accounts in reality, he was not. It is unfortunate that he has been depicted as such. It is the 1935 Charles Laughton Bligh role that really set the unfortunate standard. On the other hand, history has depicted Fletcher Christian as a hero. Clark Gable's Christian set the standard here as well. In fact, Christian was a 25 year old traitor to the Crown. He led a mutiny and stole a British vessel. He also set Bligh and 18 crew adrift in the boat's launch and to certain death.

The facts are that Bligh let Christian and his crew have too good a time on Tahiti. Having been there myself, I would not want to leave either, especially to their scummy lives of pre-Industrial England.

Vangelis' synthesized soundtrack provides an ethereal backdrop to stunning visuals. It is reminiscent of Popul Voh's soundtrack of Aguirre, The Wrath Of God. De Laurentiis' production is the best of all versions. The stunning on location filming on the beautiful island of Moorea really sets this version apart from its predecessors. Having been to this island as well, they did a great job of capturing its stunning beauty.

I am surprised that this film is so vastly underrated.