This MGM remake of its Oscar-winning 1935 "Mutiny on the Bounty" was filmed on location in the South Seas and in vivid color. As with the earlier film, this has a considerable cast of prominent actors. While they are very good, as others have noted, this is a remake of a classic film that didn't need to have a remake. It's understandable that some actors in any era might like to play key roles in new films based on classic films. And, while the cast are very good here, as noted, Marlon Brando is not a Clark Gable as Fletcher Christian, and Trevor Howard is not a Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh.
A couple other prolific reviewers have noted this film is similar to the first in a couple more areas. It's leading cast had members who disliked or despised one another. And, it nearly bankrupted MGM for the cost of its production. Indeed, besides his humorous attempt at an English accent, Brando himself was the biggest problem factor in this film. Many of the problems with or caused by Brando are covered in the Trivia section of this IMDb page.
All of that aside, this film also is based on the fictional novel of 1932, of the same title, but also partly on two others of the trilogy written by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. It's three-quarters of an hour longer than the 1935 film. It has some changes in places from the first film, and adds more to the story, including the plight of the mutineers on Pitcairn Island. The color, camera work and production make this a good film to watch. But it can't replace the original film. And it continues some of the fictional aspects of the story - that Fletcher Christian was a hero of sorts, that Bligh was a brutal captain, etc. It also adds some fictional characters and eliminates other real characters. And, of course, there never was a court martial of Bligh, but praise for his seamanship. In 1984, Hollywood would make a more accurate movie about the event. "The Bounty," of that year, is based on a 1972 historical novel by British author Richard Hough, "Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian." Hough did extensive research of naval and other historical records, and his book and that film much more accurately reflect the characters who sailed on the Bounty. Both MGM films somewhat glamorize the mutiny and mutineers, and paint Bligh as a monster.
Those interested in the more accurate story would enjoy the book and/or 1984 film. It delves more into the background of the mission of the Bounty and the later search and trials of the mutineers, with more historical characters involved. And, it too has a sizable cast of prominent actors of the day - Anthony Hopkins, Mel Gibson, Laurence Olivier, and more. While it won't be on the level of action and excitement of the two more prominent films, it accurately portrays the Bounty itself, its mission, the breadfruits, and the positions and ranks of the characters. For instance, Bligh was not a captain, but a lieutenant in the British Navy. And, Christian was not an officer, but a Master in the merchant marine, which would be similar to an NCO in military service.
Well, all of these films are enjoyable to watch. The 1935 is the classic for adventure and daring; the 1962 for excellent scenery in color and sailing scenes, and the 1984 for a historically accurate tale of the Bounty, its mission and the mutiny and aftermath.
A couple other prolific reviewers have noted this film is similar to the first in a couple more areas. It's leading cast had members who disliked or despised one another. And, it nearly bankrupted MGM for the cost of its production. Indeed, besides his humorous attempt at an English accent, Brando himself was the biggest problem factor in this film. Many of the problems with or caused by Brando are covered in the Trivia section of this IMDb page.
All of that aside, this film also is based on the fictional novel of 1932, of the same title, but also partly on two others of the trilogy written by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall. It's three-quarters of an hour longer than the 1935 film. It has some changes in places from the first film, and adds more to the story, including the plight of the mutineers on Pitcairn Island. The color, camera work and production make this a good film to watch. But it can't replace the original film. And it continues some of the fictional aspects of the story - that Fletcher Christian was a hero of sorts, that Bligh was a brutal captain, etc. It also adds some fictional characters and eliminates other real characters. And, of course, there never was a court martial of Bligh, but praise for his seamanship. In 1984, Hollywood would make a more accurate movie about the event. "The Bounty," of that year, is based on a 1972 historical novel by British author Richard Hough, "Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian." Hough did extensive research of naval and other historical records, and his book and that film much more accurately reflect the characters who sailed on the Bounty. Both MGM films somewhat glamorize the mutiny and mutineers, and paint Bligh as a monster.
Those interested in the more accurate story would enjoy the book and/or 1984 film. It delves more into the background of the mission of the Bounty and the later search and trials of the mutineers, with more historical characters involved. And, it too has a sizable cast of prominent actors of the day - Anthony Hopkins, Mel Gibson, Laurence Olivier, and more. While it won't be on the level of action and excitement of the two more prominent films, it accurately portrays the Bounty itself, its mission, the breadfruits, and the positions and ranks of the characters. For instance, Bligh was not a captain, but a lieutenant in the British Navy. And, Christian was not an officer, but a Master in the merchant marine, which would be similar to an NCO in military service.
Well, all of these films are enjoyable to watch. The 1935 is the classic for adventure and daring; the 1962 for excellent scenery in color and sailing scenes, and the 1984 for a historically accurate tale of the Bounty, its mission and the mutiny and aftermath.