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Mutiny
On the Bounty (1935)
In Frank Lloyd's Best Picture-winning historical seafaring
drama based on the novel by Nordhoff and Hall:
- the opening foreward (title screen): "In December,
1787, H.M.S. Bounty lay in Portsmouth harbour on the eve
of departure for Tahiti in the uncharted waters of the Great South
Sea. The Bounty's mission was to procure breadfruit trees for transplanting
to the West Indies as cheap food for slaves. Neither ship nor breadfruit
reached the West Indies. Mutiny prevented it - mutiny against the
abuse of harsh eighteenth century sea law. But this mutiny, famous
in history and legend, helped bring about a new discipline, based
upon mutual respect between officers and men, by which Britain's
sea power is maintained as security for all who pass upon the seas"
- the toast of idealistic midshipman Roger Byam (Franchot
Tone), on his first cruise as a midshipman, before a two-year voyage
of the Bounty to the South Pacific: "To the voyage of
the Bounty. Still waters of the great golden sea. Flying fish
like streaks of silver, and mermaids that sing in the night. The
Southern Cross and all the stars on the other side of the world"
- the revelation of the character of brutal and tyrannical
Captain William Bligh (Charles Laughton), commander of the H.M.S.
Bounty; early on, he demonstrated his cruelty by ordering the
flogging of a dead man, to punish an infraction to the letter of
the law; later, he told his second in command, lieutenant Fletcher
Christian (Clark Gable), about how he ruled over his seamen: "They
respect but one law - the law of fear...I expect you to carry out
whatever orders I give, whenever I give them"
- the scenes of Bligh's continual reign of terror -
ordering further floggings, keelhaulings and other cruel disciplines;
he lectured his crew: "The ship's company will remember that
I am your captain, your judge, and your jury. You do your duty and
we may get along. Whatever happens, you'll do your duty"
- Bligh's oft-repeated call to his lieutenant Fletcher
Christian: "Mr. Christian! Come here "
- the beginnings of revolt against Bligh's ruthlessness,
expressed by Fletcher Christian to Roger Byam: "I've never known
a better seaman, but as a man, he's a snake. He doesn't punish for
discipline. He likes to see men crawl. Sometimes, I'd like to push
his poison down his own throat"
- the joyous arrival in Tahiti - greeted by the islanders
and the chieftain
Arrival in Tahiti - Friendly Islanders
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- in Tahiti, Fletcher Christian's growing love affair
with the island chieftain Hitihiti's granddaughter Maimiti (Mamo
Clark) - including their love scene in the jungle
- the famous confrontational mutiny scene when Christian
finally had enough and decided to rebel after seeing crew members
in chains - he raised his fist and challenged Bligh: "Now you've
given your last command on this ship. We'll be men again if we hang
for it"
- Captain Bligh was forced into a small boat with
limited supplies, as Christian spoke: "I'll take my chance against
the law. You'll take yours against the sea"
- Bligh threatened revenge against the mutineers: ("Casting
me adrift 3,500 miles from a port of call. You're sending me to my
doom, eh? Well, you're wrong, Christian! I'll take this boat as she
floats to England, if I must! I'll live to see you - all of ya -
hanging from the highest yardarm in the British fleet")
Mutiny!
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Fletcher Christian: "Now you've given your
last command on this ship. We'll be men again if we hang for
it."
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Captain Bligh Set Adrift
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Bligh: "I'll live to see you - all of ya
- hanging from the highest yardarm in the British fleet"
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- the conclusion: Bligh returned to Tahiti on the H.M.S.
Pandora and took Roger Byam prisoner with several other crew
members, while Fletcher Christian and his followers left to find
refuge elsewhere (on nearby uninhabited Pitcairn Island) after
deliberately crashing the Bounty into the rocks and setting
in on fire
- the stirring speech of Roger Byam at his court-martial
trial in England, before he was pardoned, taking into account the
dehumanizing treatment of the men by Bligh: ("These men don't
ask for comfort. They don't ask for safety...They ask only (for)
the freedom that England expects for every man. If one man among
you believed that - one man! - he could command the fleets of England.
He could sweep the seas for England if he called his men to their
duty, not by flaying their backs but by lifting their hearts - their...
that's all")
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Midshipman Roger Byam's Toast to the Voyage of The Bounty
Captain Bligh
(Charles Laughton)
Captain Bligh with Lt. Fletcher Christian: "I expect
you to carry out whatever orders I give..."
Bligh's Lecture to His Crew: "I am your captain,
your judge, and your jury"
Fletcher Christian's Early Feelings About Bligh: "He's
a snake"
Fletcher Christian's Love Affair with Maimiti
Roger Byam's Court-Martial Trial Speech
Last View of Fletcher Christian with Wife (and baby)
on Pitcairn Island
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