This is the big, bright, Technicolor-epic version of the Bounty story. It's inoffensive, obvious, and corny, in the MGM way. But it's beautifully photographed, and it doesn't cheat on the trimmings: a full-sized Bounty replica was commissioned for this film, and the Tahiti scenes were shot in Tahiti. (The DVD version doesn't cheat either: the film is spread across two discs, and the source used was flawless.)
Brando's Christian is a smirking, insolent fop; he comes aboard in a scarlet cape, accompanied by not one but two whores. Brando does a fruity, funny, and not very believable accent on top of his already light voice. He's great fun and original, but he loses his way after the mutiny, because he's not shot close in enough to catch his expressions. Brooding in his quarters, he looks more like a sulky teenager than a overburdened mutineer. Howard has a thankless job because this version makes Bligh a callous, one-dimensional fussbudget. Howard makes him seem credible and human anyway. He's especially good in the mutiny sequence; Bligh is so used to containing himself that he can't react even when he's physically attacked, but Howard is burning inside. He's also clearly enjoying himself whenever the script calls for him to call Christian/Brando a spoiled poseur. The rest of the cast are mostly stock cutouts and forgettable, and the film is generally very conventionally conceived. However, the stunning photography and amazing color, plus Howard and Brando, make it a worthwhile trip.
Brando's Christian is a smirking, insolent fop; he comes aboard in a scarlet cape, accompanied by not one but two whores. Brando does a fruity, funny, and not very believable accent on top of his already light voice. He's great fun and original, but he loses his way after the mutiny, because he's not shot close in enough to catch his expressions. Brooding in his quarters, he looks more like a sulky teenager than a overburdened mutineer. Howard has a thankless job because this version makes Bligh a callous, one-dimensional fussbudget. Howard makes him seem credible and human anyway. He's especially good in the mutiny sequence; Bligh is so used to containing himself that he can't react even when he's physically attacked, but Howard is burning inside. He's also clearly enjoying himself whenever the script calls for him to call Christian/Brando a spoiled poseur. The rest of the cast are mostly stock cutouts and forgettable, and the film is generally very conventionally conceived. However, the stunning photography and amazing color, plus Howard and Brando, make it a worthwhile trip.