The Bounty (1984)
Blu-ray Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier,
Edward Fox, Daniel Day Lewis, Liam Neeson, Edward Fox, Bernard Hill, Philip
Davis, Philip Martin Brown,
Plot: History’s most infamous sea story, focusing on the
fabled mutiny by Master’s Mate Fletcher Christian and his men against their
by-the-book captain, William Bligh.
My Review and Thoughts:
Film: 4/5
This is a piece of cinema that is a historical, intelligent
and a film that is both unique, and brilliant in all its production. Flawless
acting and superb direction, but most of all the shots of cinematography is
something that has to be seen to be appreciated in all its amazing beauty.
Now to be honest I had never seen this movie all the way
through before. I had never watch the complete version so going into this was a
new experience for me. This is based on the book Captain Bligh and Mr.
Christian. So going into this film was a real treat to me, because it would be
a new film experience seeing it on Blu-ray.
What an extraordinary, overlooked film, and musical score.
It's a true shock on just how amazing the film is. Starring Anthony Hopkins,
one of the greatest actors of all time, and also alongside him, an equally
brilliant actor Mel Gibson, at least in his prime. This is a beautiful woven
film of high seas adventure. Amazing costumes. Amazing sets, ships. The story
line itself is something that stands out, and also this is one of those films
that should be spoken about, and transcend to a modern generation.
This is one of those films that at first, sadly for some
reason, has been overlooked and never given a Blu-ray until now. Thankfully
Twilight Time has honored this film with an amazing transfer, a wonderful
isolated music track and some amazing special features. Twilight time tends to
always shock me on the quality they give certain films that seem to be
overlooked. As I have stated, going into this, I had never really seen it and I
have to be honest, never even read up on it, or researched it. I went into this
kind of a blank slate other than remember certain shots of the film. The film
blew me away at the quality, the story, the acting, and most of all the amazing
direction.
I'm so happy that Twilight Time has honored this film and
given it the respect that it deserves. This is a must see, must own,
extraordinary production of a forgotten film and a new outlet, that is equally
artistic in color and in sound.
This has a stellar cast and one of the few films I've seen
with such extraordinary performers all in one film. From one of my favorite
modern day actors, Daniel Day Lewis to the master of cinema Laurence Olivier.
It is unbelievable at the class and quality inside each performer’s character.
The characterizations on film, takes you and places you inside the time. This
is a wonderful drama. It's a wonderful historical drama.
Now the movie itself had its problems coming to light. The
original director David Lean dropped out during the film which halted the
picture in limbo, but to save the film, and all the money that had been put
into the picture, Roger Donaldson was brought in to finish the movie. I think
something that stands out is Oliver Reed was also sought for the part that
eventually went to Anthony Hopkins. Reed would have been a fantastic actor for
the part, but Anthony was the part, and created the character in perfection.
The amazing ship, The Bounty that was built for the movie is extraordinary to
look at. It’s beautiful and is a wonder artistic craftsmanship. The ship is so
beautiful and vibrant, and detailed, and now it is a Tourist destination in
Hong Kong China. A work of art and a historical style ship that made the film
so much more powerful in its tale of Mutiny.
Also what makes this film stand out is the utterly fantastic
art of cinematographer done by a legend and master of the lens, Arthur
Ibbetson. What he did for, The Bounty is beyond words in description. It has to
be seen to fully understand and fathom the art of cinematographer that this
film details. Ibbetson has done some of the great, artistic and visionary style
films that lent true creativity and eye opening images to the history of film
making. He has done such greats as, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Santa
Claus: The Movie, Whistle Down the Wind and many others. He had a total
ownership of his craft and he did it with ease, and a fantastic eye.
On an interesting note there has been many different
versions of this story on film. One of those the 1916 silent film, The Mutiny
of the Bounty, and also the 1933, In the Wake of the Bounty, starring the very
beautiful and handsome ladies’ man, and man’s, man, Errol Flynn. Now it would
ultimately be the 1935 version, starring the one and only actor and ultimate master
of performing, Clark Gable in, Mutiny on the Bounty that most remember and talk
about. Gable was truly fantastic in this part. This film would be remade in
1962 starring the one and only, Godfather himself, Marlon Brando alongside the
terrific Richard Harris.
Now there is a discussion on just which one is the more of
the story. Simply put, more accurate in a historical setting. I think all the
versions are great and each one, has their own quality to them through amazing
acting, sets, and even personalization of the character that the actors are
playing. I have to choose this version, that I am reviewing as being the
historical setup, and ultimately the depiction of just what the story is, and
the truths, historically, in the situation taking place. The Bounty is a film
that any lover of history, sea fare, will absolutely fall head over in love
with. Its high quality of acting, direction and most of all, the special
effects, and the realism of the sets that come off to the viewer. Everything
that went into creating something that seems real and is happening before your
eyes, is breathless.
The direction by Roger Donaldson is mind numbing
entertainment and something that should be spoken about for its beauty and its
completion. Donaldson has a mastery in capturing a story that comes together as
believable and tense. The Bounty is to me, is one of his prime achievements in
film making. I have always loved his style of films, from the amazing suspense
thriller, No Way Out, to the action destruction film, Dante’s Peak and all the
way to his Sci-fi Drive-in style Species. Now Donaldson was not the first
director on The Bounty, as I have stated, and that is where some of the
struggle of the film comes in. Originally behind the direction, was the master
of the lens, Sir David Lean. Lean is most famous for directing many powerful
epic films, such as, The Bridge on the River Kwai. The masterpiece, Lawrence of
Arabia, and the equally masterpiece, Doctor Zhivago. But, and that is a huge
but, it would be to me, two of his films that define his excellence, and that
would be the adaptions of Charles Dickens works, 1946's Great Expectations and
1948’s Oliver Twist. Both are pivotal pieces of cinema that should be seen.
Sadly Lean wanted to create a huge epic to The Bounty, Creating it, in two
separate films, and then at one time wanted to make it into a 7 part TV
miniseries. He got the backing through the money by the wonderful Italian
master himself Dino De Laurentiis. The production went ahead, and the cost of
the ship which came in at 4 million dollars, pushed the film to be made, but
during the script writing, sadly Robert Bolt had a stroke and could not finish.
Melvyn Bragg took over writing. Whatever happened, Lean was forced out of the
project, or abandoned it, because of different ideas and beliefs. Whatever the
case was, the movie did go forward and ended up becoming a wonderful historical
drama, and epic style film at sea.
Twilight Time did a fantastic job of bringing this film to
Blu-ray.
Audio/ Video: 5/5
This was pure unbelievable ear and eye perfection. The video
is so beautiful, vibrant, and the sound is like what it would be like hearing
for the first time; the amazement of it. Twilight Time did such a fantastic job
on this release. Every time I watch a Twilight Time Blu-ray, in many of the
moments, I think to myself, this is their best, but now I say it again on
another one. This is their best sound quality and video I have seen. I went
ahead and sought out The Bounty on DVD through a local video shop, yes they
still exist in certain spots, and rented The Bounty. Boy what a difference in
quality. The DVD simple put is poop, compared to this Twilight Time Blu-ray. I
mean poop is not a professional word in any form or fashion, but that’s the
best way to describe the difference, DVD big pile of poop and Twilight Time
Blu-ray Golden. I suppose if the DVD is all we had, then it would have to do,
but the Blu-ray is the better, and is something to showcase, what can be done
to an old and forgotten about film. Perfection in audio and video.
Video
Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.34:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Audio
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Music: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Subtitles
English SDH
Extras: 4/5
Now the music itself is something to talk about and mention.
I could probably write four pages just on it, but I will save you from having
to read my spew. I will shorten it. The master. There is no other word that
should be said to describe this man, other than master. Evangelos Odysseas
Papathanassiou, or simply known as Vangelis. He is the very definition of music
and soundtracks and composer. He has worked on and created some of the greatest
tunes to ever grace cinema. He is a multi-talented musician, from composer, to
piano, electronic, progressive rock, classical, new age and everything else.
Not only mastering this, Bounty soundtrack, which is lovingly given an extra
feature of the isolated music. Twilight Time knows the importance of music, and
in most cases for their Blu-ray's they give an extra feature of the isolated
music. He has worked some of the great films, Chariots of Fire, Blade Runner,
and many more. He also did the one and only, amazing TV series, by master
genius, Carl Sagan, COSMOS: A Personal Journey. Vangelis is someone that is so
unique, you can’t understand until you hear his work. He is one more added
beauty to this film.
The extra isolated music track is to me the best Twilight
Time has done. It is utterly phenomenal and something that to me is required
listening. This Blu-ray is worth the buy just for this.
Original Theatrical Trailer
MGM 90th Anniversary Trailer
Isolated Score Track is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio
2.0.
Audio Commentaries: Director Roger Donaldson, Producer
Bernard Williams and Production Designer John Graysmark. This was a very
informative and unique commentary that stands out and should be listened to, to
fully understand and appreciate the value of this film to cinema history.
You also get the commentary with history consultant Stephen
Walters. He explains the history and the reality of the subject, and its real
life truths, the history of HMS Bounty. This should be listened to by any
history buff or historical movie lover.
And as always and equally important is the insert booklet by
film historian Julie Kirgo, which is always a perfect treat to read.
Overall:
This is a Blu-ray of top notch quality, and a brilliant
example of a product that stands out and should be experienced. Thoroughly
entertained by the film and the music, but most of all knowing everything that
went into this film to be made, is extraordinary.
Twilight Time Blu-ray honored this amazing film with an
outlet of perfection. A powerful product of just how to treat a film that has
often been overlooked. A must own Blu-ray in my viewpoint so make sure you head
over and purchase this Limited Edition, 3,000 Unit Blu-ray before they all go.
INFO:
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the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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