TheLittleSongbird One of those films that is not only as good as the book but close to being better. The book is great(have a preference though to Moby Dick though, also by Herman Melville) with a story that is gripping and emotionally resonant, strong characters and a most interesting writing style, though also one that will take some getting used to. This film adaptation of Billy Budd is just wonderful and is as of now my favourite Melville adaptation. The cinematography is gorgeous and the ship is very handsomely rendered, so the film has an attractive visual style as one of the numerous things going for it. Antony Hopkins's music score is a rousing yet sympathetic one, it is elegantly orchestrated and not only is it a beautiful score to listen to it also does a great job matching the mood of each scene and what each character is thinking. The script is very intelligently adapted, and its style is actually fairly loyal to Melville's, without being too wordy or complicated. The story isn't completely faithful here, but Melville's style does shine through and in a compelling and fresh way, as well as affecting, parts did give me the chills and the ending is poignant. There are added scenes that added a lot rather than detracted, a prime example being on the deck with Claggart, a chilling scene(just like in the Britten opera, which is well worth checking out) that makes Claggart more repulsive than he already is. The pacing has space but it is not plodding at all, while Peter Ustinov clearly knows what he's doing here and directs with a deft touch. His performance also as Captain Vere is also one of his most restrained, for an actor who could be hammy(often enjoyably), and rarely has he done noble and gentle so touchingly. The aftermath of Billy's death is very believable emotionally. The rest of the cast are just as powerful, Terence Stamp's Billy- a character who you immediately like and genuinely feel sorry for- brought me to tears and Melvyn Douglas is both gravelly and robust as Danskar, who is much more interesting in this film than he is in the book. Acting honours though go to Robert Ryan, a superb performance that manages to give some depth to a truly frightening and evil-incarnate character like Claggart. All in all, wonderful film where the acting especially helps in making it as powerful as it is. 10/10 Bethany Cox

edwagreen Terrific 1962 film detailing justice, morality and devotion to the law.Robert Ryan is fabulous as the Master-of-Arms, cruel at every step, who believes that flogging is the answer to everything. He is the very answer to Captain Bligh on "Mutiny on the Bounty."Naive Billy, played by supporting Oscar nominee Terence Stamp, conveys the simplicity, and the man who was unfortunate enough to be subjected to military standards.Peter Ustinov is terrific here as the head who sees no way out to free Budd, despite the fact that what he did could easily be justified. The law was the law and it had to be enforced.Melvyn Douglas proves that wisdom comes through age by learning by experience.Finally, the crew, ready to rebel immediately sees that duty comes first when at war.This was truly an absorbing film.

dogwater-1 I first saw this film at age 18, and was not ready for the language and psychological underpinnings of the story, but a great story it is. Classic in the sense of a story for all time and and riveting in its humanity. No film captures better the physical conditions of the way sailors lived in the British navy of the Napoleonic Wars. The claustrophobia, the constant movement of the ship over the deep "full of monsters surviving because of the sharpest teeth" as the Master of Arms John Claggert notes. Claggert is memorably played by Robert Ryan, perhaps one of Hollywood's most under-sung actors. His Claggert is a man who seems to be devouring himself with acidic self-hatred. What the world has made him is the doom of Billy Budd, the newly impressed seaman who is the very persona of guileless innocence. These two are headed for tragedy and how they get there is the basis of the film. Very fine actors all around such as John Neville, Paul Rogers, and a young David McCallum lend credence to a shattering conclusion that I found still quite moving in a recent viewing on TCM. Peter Ustinov who directed and wrote the screenplay and plays the Captain was equal to the task in all those roles. One of my favorite top- ten movies of the sea with a story that will never grow old. Neither will Herman Melville's novel.

mark.waltz "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.