Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

The Bounty
1984
**
Director: Roger Donaldson
Cast: Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Daniel Day-Lewis, Laurence Olivier

This retelling of the mutiny on the Bounty legend looks great but it's dramatically flat. Captain Bligh is portrayed as an insecure leader who suddenly turns into a raving lunatic. In the other corner we have the crew who deserve the wrath of their commander. Who are we supposed to root for? The matters are made worse by Mel Gibson, who gives his blandest ever performance as Fletcher Christian, the leader of the revolt. The soundtrack by Vangelis is nicely untypical. Previously filmed as Mutiny on the Bounty in 1935 and 1962.