Intriguing adaptation of Herman Melville's novel (and Louis O. Coxe's play) about a good-natured seaman aboard a British warship in 1797 who is ultimately pushed to his limit by the cruel Master at Arms. Peter Usintov, who plays the ship's captain, also directed, co-produced and co-wrote this script, and he gets amazing lead performances from Robert Ryan and Terence Stamp. Ryan, as the hateful superior, is morally reprehensible without ever becoming inhuman--a delicious feat for an actor; clear-eyed, big-hearted Stamp is wonderful as innocent Billy Budd. The material is handled nimbly with great thought and care, while the supporting characters are mostly rich and complicated. Fine cinematography by Robert Krasker, and terrific grown-up entertainment all around. *** from ****
Review of Billy Budd
