The Bounty

The Bounty is a 1984 British historical drama film directed by Roger Donaldson. Starring Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Liam Neeson, Daniel Day-Lewis, Bernard Hill, Laurence Olivier and Edward Fox in the lead roles. The script is based on the novel Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian (1972) by Richard Hough which deals with a real-life episode of the then Lieutenant Commander, William Bligh of the British Royal Navy who was the subject of a mutiny led by merchant marine captain and first mate, Fletcher Christian.

Plot

In the 18th century, the HMAV Bounty is commissioned to travel to Tahiti to collect breadfruit plants, and transport them to the Caribbean islands, where they will be multiplied to produce cheap food for the slaves. Due to a severe storm, the ship arrives late in Tahiti and is unable to collect the plants, so she must wait several months before she can. During this time the sailors, including the first mate, Fletcher Christian (Mel Gibson), dedicate themselves to rest and the good life. Many of them mate with native women. Christian even establishes a marriage relationship with one of them. When it's time to leave, Captain Bligh (Anthony Hopkins) has great difficulty reestablishing discipline. After a few days of sailing, in which the tension is increasing, a riot occurs.

Comments

• The previous two versions made on the historical facts that occurred in the HMS Bounty they were starred at Clark Gable and Marlon Brando, respectively, in the role of the first officer Fletcher Christian. In these two films, however, the causes of the riot were presented as imputable to the captain for his despotism. This new version fits much more to reality. The music is composed by Vangelis, contributing to creating the atmosphere required for the film.

Characters, cast and dubbing