| FILM
About a half an hour into this film you can see much of the direct
influence this film had on current movies like Crimson Tide. By
now we recognize all the typical things we would expect to see
in a mutiny type film. We get everything from the hard assed new
leader and the no nonsense first officer to the green recruit
out on his first tour of duty, but that does not stop this film
from being fresh. The subtleties of character and motivation make
this an extremely interesting movie. I was most impressed, that
so late in his career, Bogart would accept such an unlikable role.
His performance deserved the Academy Award nomination he received
for it. All the performances hold up pretty well and Jose Ferrer's
performance as the attorney defending Van Johnson and Robert Francis
is perfect. The films two main weaknesses in my opinion are Max
Steiner's Mickey Mouse type score in which the on screen action
is mimicked at every turn by the music and the subplot involving
Robert Francis, his mother and his girlfriend played by May Wynn.
Both the mother and May Wynn are good in their roles it just has
nothing to do with main story. It is the romantic subplot that
the studios, both then and now, feel they need to throw into movies
to make them appeal to a more broad audience. It was as unneeded
in this film as it is in so many of today's films.
VIDEO
The video is about what I would expect from a 1950's film that
has not been restored. There is excessive grain at times and the
occasional color shifts due to the unstable film stock. It really
is a shame that the Hollywood studios didn't take better care
of some of their classic films. Taking the limitations of the
source material into consideration the transfer is well done.
The widescreen version is an anamorphic transfer and there are
very little artifacts that cannot be attributed to the source
material.
AUDIO
Not much to say about the audio. It is simple 2-channel mono.
There are no real problems and as all dialogue and sound effects
were crisp and clear.
EXTRAS
Wow, a couple of theatrical trailers. Very disappointing. I am
sure if Columbia did even the slightest search of their archives
they could of found some type of small documentary about the making
of the film. Anything that has this many stars and is based off
of a Pulitzer Prize winning novel will have had a background film
made about it.
SUMMARY
A fine two hours of entertainment. An obvious influence on future
films, that is definitely worth a rental if not a purchase.
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