"Keep your mouth shut, except at meal time!" That's what the "pretty boy" (Terence Stamp) title character is advised by the all-knowing Melvyn Douglas, senior crew member on an 18th Century English warship captained by Peter Ustinov with the crew controlled by the sadistic Robert Ryan. He isn't another Captain Bligh: In fact, he can be quite noble (in rare moments) and like "Les Miserables'" Javert thinks he is justified in his actions. There are many moments when his humanity is clearly visible, but all of a sudden, he switches like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
So why the reluctance to fully like this film? It starts off great, with each of the actors introducing their character names as their actual name appears in the credits. Lacking color which would have added more excitement to it, this film is as black and white as the lives of the characters, even though their individual qualities are far from black and white. Being essentially an ensemble piece, I can see why Terence Stamp was nominated for an Oscar in the supporting actor category, even though he's the protagonist and the most mentioned name on every other character's lips. Everybody truly shines and all of the veteran actors are extremely well used. Ustinov as the captain gives a truly layered portrayal, filled with both sympathy and power, and is far from his later mostly comical portrayals. Ryan is extremely intense, especially in a scene with Stamp where the younger man urges him to consider him a friend to which Ryan quietly and slowly builds to a response of anger and vengeance. Newcomer Stamp here is totally likable, almost saint-like, and will never be confused with his roles in "Superman II" and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".
A bit more psychological in nature than normal, it really makes you think into these character's psychologies and not place a label on them as either "hero" or "villain" (or more appropriately in Ryan's case, "tyrant", which he is, but with some gentler facets as well). Unfortunately, it is mostly chat, little action (with the exception of a few battle scenes), and the over length a bit troubling.
So why the reluctance to fully like this film? It starts off great, with each of the actors introducing their character names as their actual name appears in the credits. Lacking color which would have added more excitement to it, this film is as black and white as the lives of the characters, even though their individual qualities are far from black and white. Being essentially an ensemble piece, I can see why Terence Stamp was nominated for an Oscar in the supporting actor category, even though he's the protagonist and the most mentioned name on every other character's lips. Everybody truly shines and all of the veteran actors are extremely well used. Ustinov as the captain gives a truly layered portrayal, filled with both sympathy and power, and is far from his later mostly comical portrayals. Ryan is extremely intense, especially in a scene with Stamp where the younger man urges him to consider him a friend to which Ryan quietly and slowly builds to a response of anger and vengeance. Newcomer Stamp here is totally likable, almost saint-like, and will never be confused with his roles in "Superman II" and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert".
A bit more psychological in nature than normal, it really makes you think into these character's psychologies and not place a label on them as either "hero" or "villain" (or more appropriately in Ryan's case, "tyrant", which he is, but with some gentler facets as well). Unfortunately, it is mostly chat, little action (with the exception of a few battle scenes), and the over length a bit troubling.