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Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

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All Critics
Top Critics

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.

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

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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

Unrated, 2 hr. 12 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

Directed By: Frank Lloyd

Written By: Charles Nordhoff, James Norman Hall

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1935 Wide

On DVD: Feb 3, 2004

MGM

Mutiny on the Bounty Trailer & Photos

Cast

Clark Gable
1st Mate Fletcher Chris...
Charles Laughton
Capt. William Bligh
Franchot Tone
Roger Byam
Dudley Digges
Bachus
Herbert Mundin
Smith
Donald Crisp
Burkitt
Eddie Quillan
Ellison
Movita
Francis Lister
Capt. Nelson
Henry Stephenson
Sir Joseph Banks
Spring Byington
Mrs. Byam
Ian Wolfe
Samuel
Ivan Simpson
Morgan
DeWitt Jennings
Fryer
Stanley Fields
Muspratt
Wallis Clark
Morrison
Vernon P. Downing
Hayward
Dick Winslow
Tinkler
Lionel Belmore
Innkeeper
James Cagney
[uncredited]
Maria [Movita] Castaneda
Tehani
Mamo Clark
Maimiti
Marion Clayton
Mary Ellison
Harry Cording
Soldier
Alec Craig
McCoy
Pat Flaherty
Churchill
Mary Gordon
Peddler
Winter Hall
Chaplain
John Harrington
Mr. Purcell
Charles Irwin
Byrne
Crauford Kent
Lt. Edwards
Robert Livingston
Young
Doris Lloyd
Cockney Moll
David Niven
(uncredited)
William Stack
Judge Advocate
Will Stanton
Portsmouth Joe
David Thursby
McIntosh
David Torrence
Lord Hood
Douglas Walton
Stewart
Percy Waram
Coleman
Eric Wilton
Captain of Board
Byron Russell
Quintal
Harold Entwistle
Capt. Colpoys
King Mojave
Richard Skinner
Nadine Beresford
Ellison's Mother
Hal LeSueur
Millard
John Powers
Hillebrandt

Critic Reviews for Mutiny on the Bounty

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

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 Staff

Variety

Top Critic

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

Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

Top 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

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

It is superlatively thrilling.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Andre Sennwald

New York Times

Top Critic

A rousing adventure film set on the high seas.

January 1, 1935 Full Review Source: ReelViews

| Comment

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Top Critic

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

Chris Cabin

Slant Magazine

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

November 20, 2007 Comment

Cole Smithey

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

Wesley Lovell

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

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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

June 8, 2006 Comment

Steve Crum

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

Derek Adams

Time Out

One of Hollywood's best achievements.

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

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Not as good as it's rep.

December 21, 2004 Comment (1)

Eric Lurio

Greenwich Village Gazette

Laughton & Gable! What a team!

July 16, 2004 Comment

Victoria Alexander

FilmsInReview.com

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

May 23, 2004 Comment

Ken Hanke

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

Forrest Hartman

Reno Gazette-Journal Source: Reno Gazette-Journal

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

February 4, 2004 Comment

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

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

January 27, 2004 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Mutiny on the Bounty

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"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

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

Chris Weber

Super Reviewer

Mutiny on the Bounty Quotes

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

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