I will admit that I recently saw the 1937 version with Freddie Batholomew, Spencer Tracy and Lionel Barrymore and after just seeing the 1996 version which stars Robert Urich, Kenny Vadas and Colin Cunningham carries itself with merit of a unique storyline.
If you have not seen either film version the story is about a filthy rich and spoiled 14 year old boy named Harvey Cheyne (Kenny Vadas) who is used to always getting his own way and buying his way out of dishonorable situations with his wads of money. In this film version the young spoiled Harvey falls of his estates cruise ship into the ocean and is picked up by the fishing vessel that is captained by Matthew Troop (Robert Urich) whose own 16 year old son Dan Troop (Kan-Erik Eriksen) sails with his father fishing for a living.
Young spoiled Harvey cannot understand why the ships Captain Troop refuses to accept an offer of tens of thousands of dollars to just drop him off at the nearest harbor. Through time and hardship while learning how to work on a fishing vessel and by actually learning how to commercially fish young Harvey acquires his first true friend in Captain Troop's son Dan who teaches him the value of hard work and the personal pride in working as a team. Gradually young Harvey embraces the fishing life and for once in his life he feels he has been receiving unsolicited guidance from a father (Captain Troop) who cares for him as only a father could.
Tragedy at sea eventually strikes their fishing vessel and the ship and its crew need to sail back home and say their farewell to one of their own. It is on dry land that young Harvey meets Captain troop's wife Mary Ann (Sandra Nelson) and he soon realizes what having a family can mean to a young man.
I laughed, I cried and I admired the fishermen in Captains Courageous. This is a drama well worth viewing as we get to see a very spoiled rich kid realize some important lessons of humility, friendship and pride.
I give the film a 7 out of 10 rating.
If you have not seen either film version the story is about a filthy rich and spoiled 14 year old boy named Harvey Cheyne (Kenny Vadas) who is used to always getting his own way and buying his way out of dishonorable situations with his wads of money. In this film version the young spoiled Harvey falls of his estates cruise ship into the ocean and is picked up by the fishing vessel that is captained by Matthew Troop (Robert Urich) whose own 16 year old son Dan Troop (Kan-Erik Eriksen) sails with his father fishing for a living.
Young spoiled Harvey cannot understand why the ships Captain Troop refuses to accept an offer of tens of thousands of dollars to just drop him off at the nearest harbor. Through time and hardship while learning how to work on a fishing vessel and by actually learning how to commercially fish young Harvey acquires his first true friend in Captain Troop's son Dan who teaches him the value of hard work and the personal pride in working as a team. Gradually young Harvey embraces the fishing life and for once in his life he feels he has been receiving unsolicited guidance from a father (Captain Troop) who cares for him as only a father could.
Tragedy at sea eventually strikes their fishing vessel and the ship and its crew need to sail back home and say their farewell to one of their own. It is on dry land that young Harvey meets Captain troop's wife Mary Ann (Sandra Nelson) and he soon realizes what having a family can mean to a young man.
I laughed, I cried and I admired the fishermen in Captains Courageous. This is a drama well worth viewing as we get to see a very spoiled rich kid realize some important lessons of humility, friendship and pride.
I give the film a 7 out of 10 rating.