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Mutiny on the Bounty

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

tomatometer

93

Average Rating: 8.2/10
Reviews Counted: 28
Fresh: 26 | Rotten: 2

The historical inaccuracies in this high-seas adventure are more then offset by its timeless themes, larger-than-life performances from Clark Gable and Charles Laughton, and Frank Lloyd's superb direction.

83

Average Rating: 7.5/10
Critic Reviews: 6
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 1

The historical inaccuracies in this high-seas adventure are more then offset by its timeless themes, larger-than-life performances from Clark Gable and Charles Laughton, and Frank Lloyd's superb direction.

audience

80

liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 7,328

My Rating

Movie Info

The 1932 publication of Charles Nordhoff and James Norton Hall's Mutiny on the Bounty sparked a revival of interest in the titular 1789 ship mutiny, and this 1935 MGM movie version won the Oscar for Best Picture. Clark Gable stars as Fletcher Christian, first mate of the infamous HMS Bounty, skippered by Captain William Bligh (Charles Laughton), the cruelest taskmaster on the Seven Seas. Bligh's villainy knows no bounds: he is even willing to flog a dead man if it will strengthen his hold over

Feb 3, 2004

MGM

Cast

All Critics (28) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (2) | DVD (17)

Despite the efforts of Producer Irving Thalberg, Director Frank Lloyd, three scenarists and $2,000,000 to give it balance, polish and direction, the picture lacks all three.

February 17, 2009 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | Comment
TIME Magazine
Top Critic IconTop Critic

There's nothing to stand in the way of Mutiny qualifying for box office dynamite rating.

February 19, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety | Comment
Variety
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The story is spellbinding, the acting lusty and the spectacle everything you could expect from a Golden Age MGM production -- though sometimes it's a bit too much on the monumental side.

December 13, 2006 Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | Comment
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic IconTop Critic

It's tainted by a fair amount of middlebrow stuffiness, but it's a fleet piece of storytelling and serves to enshrine one of the great ham performances of all time, Charles Laughton's Captain Bligh.

December 12, 2006 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
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It is superlatively thrilling.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comment
New York Times
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A rousing adventure film set on the high seas.

January 1, 1935 Full Review Source: ReelViews | Comment
ReelViews
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An unequivocal success upon its 1935 release, Frank Lloyd's big, astute spectacle can now be seen as a Swiss clock-type example of screenplay structure and a showcase for adventure unencumbered by beasts, blood, or much romance.

November 30, 2010 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine

Oh yeah--Laughton and Gable--pour me another one bartender.

November 20, 2007 Comment
ColeSmithey.com

Its theme of rebellion against that which binds us resonates today. Mutiny on the Bounty is well acted and well scripted.

October 10, 2006 Full Review Source: Oscar Guy | Comment
Oscar Guy

The first and best of the three versions of the famous mutiny is a big budget production, a stirring sea adventure praised at the time for its narrative pull, great acting of the three leads, and exotic locales.

July 27, 2006 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment

True MGM classic with memorable Gable and Laughton. Fine production overall.

June 8, 2006 Comment
Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

An exotic and gripping piece of Hollywood mythology, made with all the technical skill and gloss one associates with Irving Thalberg's MGM.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

One of Hollywood's best achievements.

November 14, 2005 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | Comment
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Not as good as it's rep.

December 21, 2004 Comment (1)
Greenwich Village Gazette

Laughton & Gable! What a team!

July 16, 2004 Comment
FilmsInReview.com

It may not be history, but with Laughton out of control and Gable as the hero, who cares?

May 23, 2004 Comment
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Historically accurate or not, the movie works as a seagoing adventure; and the performances by [Clark] Gable and Charles Laughton are terrific.

April 9, 2004 Comment

An exciting, perfectly executed production that features Gable at his most magnetic and Laughton at his most commanding.

February 4, 2004 Comment
Creative Loafing

It's an epic adventure that's still imitated today.

January 27, 2004 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | Comment
Filmcritic.com
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Mutiny on the Bounty

"Mutiny on the Bounty," winner of 1935's Best Picture Oscar, is an adventurous delight. Charles Laughton owns the role of Captain Bligh, playing him with resolute, forceful evil. But Clark Gable and Franchot Tone really own the movie, playing close friends who go up against Bligh each in his own way. The at-sea

February 19, 2012
Bill D 2007
William Dunmyer

Super Reviewer

Old Hollywood sure knew how to do epics, and this film is no exception. Despite a number of inaccuracies and liberties with the story (mostly for the purpose of dramatic effect), this is a very well done take on the classic story with the central issue of fun/freedom versus hardwork and accomplishment (that comes at

March 14, 2011
cosmo313
Chris Weber

Super Reviewer

    1. Capt. William Bligh: Mr. Christian!
    – Submitted by Chris P (13 months ago)

Latest News for Mutiny on the Bounty

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Foreign Titles

  • Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) (DE)
  • Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) (UK)
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