Mutiny on the Bounty (1935 and 1962 movies) -- Girlfriends & Wives

[Updated on December 28, 2014]

The sailors on the Bounty hated Captain Bligh and his harsh military discipline (嚴厲的軍紀). English sailors were unhappy about many other things as well: the food was very bad, sailors were often paid late (sometimes TWO years late!) and the pay was not enough because of inflation (通貨膨脹). 

A press gang looking for "volunteer" sailors (public domain image from Wikipedia)

Even worse, many sailors never wanted to be on ships. There was a shortage (短缺) of sailors, so the British navy paid "press gangs" to grab men (隨便抓人) from 15 to 55 years old and force them to join the navy (迫使他們加入海軍). The press gangs were happy: they got paid for their "work" ("impressing" men = kidnapping 綁架) and they didn't have to work on ships. In 1805, more than half of the sailors in the Royal Navy were "impressed" men.

Near the beginning of the movie, Captain Bligh punishes a sailor for not following orders:



Imagine how the sailors on the Bounty felt when they came to Tahiti. They were in a warm place full of flowers, they had lots of delicious food, and they met beautiful, friendly women who were sexually free. 
When the sailors left Tahiti, their friends gave them lots of gifts. Captain Bligh didn't care about his men. When the sailors came back on the ship, Captain Bligh took their food for himself. Welcome back to hell! When you know all of these facts, the mutiny is not a surprise.

Q: What have you got there? A: Monday wash.

Put your stuff there.
Well, it's mine, sir. It's a gift.
Captain's orders.
Put it down and go forward!
Shore leave in heaven, duty in hell again.	上岸去天堂,上船去地獄
What have you got there?	你那是什麽？
Monday wash, sir.	禮拜一洗好的衣服 （按照英美風俗習慣，禮拜一就是該洗衣服的日子）
That's her name--Monday Wash.	這是我給他取的名字：禮拜一的衣服
Maggs, take that "laundry" for the captain's table.	這些衣服拿給船長享用
But, sir! Ow!
Now get forward!
Come along, there. Hurry!
Did he hurt you, lad?
No, but one day, I'll take that cane away. Look behind you.

 In the scene below, Fletcher Christian decides that a mutiny (= to take the ship away from the captain) is the only answer to the horrible conditions on the ship.



Excerpts from the 1962 version (in color) appear below:



The 1962 movie version of Mutiny on the Bounty is not so accurate, but it has lovely music and the scenery is quite beautiful. In the movie, we see Fletcher Christian and his Tahitian girlfriend, Maimiti. In real life, while the movie was being made, the famous actor Marlon Brando (馬龍·白蘭度) married Tarita Teriipia, the half Tahitian-half Chinese woman who plays Maimiti (they had two sons). 

 The Bounty Love Story, Brando and Tarita (1962)

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) Trailer

Now you have seen parts of the 1935 movie and the 1962 movie. Which one do you like better? Why? Are color movies always better? What do you think of Captain Bligh? Please leave a comment.