+++++++ THIS COMMENT CONTAINS SPOILERS +++++++
Sir Peter Ustinov not only acted in this film but he also produced it, directed it and helped in its writing and the result is a more than acceptable one. Based on a "Moby Dick"'s author Herman Melville short story, "Billy Budd" stands as a most enjoyable and entertaining advnenture at sea during the war between England and France at the ending of the 18th century.
What impressed me most about this fine movie was Robert Ryan's portrayal as the bitter-ed, resentful and mean master at arms of the warship; Ryan has played a lot of villains in his long career and very good too, but his performance as Claggart is simply masterful. The man hates the world and everything on it and when the innocent and naive young sailor Billy Budd comes to his ship he naturally hates his simple way of seeing life and enjoy it under any circumstances. The dialogue on the deck scene at night between them is great acting and for a moment you even think Budd's simplicity and kindness will reach Ryan's stone heart, but it doesn't; in fact when he is accidentally killed by Budd at the end, Ryan even shows a sort of last triumph smile for he knows what is coming to the young sailor. No doubt Ryan's Claggart is one of the all time villains in movies and one of his best performances.
Good for Ustinov too in a film you could call his own.
Just for the record: in Argentina "Billy Budd" was renamed as "La Fragata Infernal" (something like "The Frigate from Hell").
Sir Peter Ustinov not only acted in this film but he also produced it, directed it and helped in its writing and the result is a more than acceptable one. Based on a "Moby Dick"'s author Herman Melville short story, "Billy Budd" stands as a most enjoyable and entertaining advnenture at sea during the war between England and France at the ending of the 18th century.
What impressed me most about this fine movie was Robert Ryan's portrayal as the bitter-ed, resentful and mean master at arms of the warship; Ryan has played a lot of villains in his long career and very good too, but his performance as Claggart is simply masterful. The man hates the world and everything on it and when the innocent and naive young sailor Billy Budd comes to his ship he naturally hates his simple way of seeing life and enjoy it under any circumstances. The dialogue on the deck scene at night between them is great acting and for a moment you even think Budd's simplicity and kindness will reach Ryan's stone heart, but it doesn't; in fact when he is accidentally killed by Budd at the end, Ryan even shows a sort of last triumph smile for he knows what is coming to the young sailor. No doubt Ryan's Claggart is one of the all time villains in movies and one of his best performances.
Good for Ustinov too in a film you could call his own.
Just for the record: in Argentina "Billy Budd" was renamed as "La Fragata Infernal" (something like "The Frigate from Hell").