Who can argue with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for bestowing this film with its highest honor? This is a fine depiction of the classic confrontational character development. You want to cheer for Fletcher Christian (a dashing Clark Gable) and the "good" crew of the Bounty, and jeer Captain Bligh (Charles Laughton in his best performance) as the antihero. If you ignore the actual history of this tale, you will be drawn into a fair depiction of the life of a British tar aboard one of "His Majesty's Ships" in the late eighteenth century, when Britian "RULED THE WAVES". This particular historical event did indeed bring about reforms for the common sailor and marine of The Royal Navy, with the Admiralty rewriting the "King's Regulations". But Hollywood turns this story into a recruiting film for the Royal Navy, and bombards us with pro-British sentiments, romanticizing the sea and vilifying a great sailor (Bligh) who sailed with Captain cook and charted much of the Pacific Ocean.
I digress, suffice it to say this is an excellent film with noteworthy performances.
I digress, suffice it to say this is an excellent film with noteworthy performances.