Storyline

H.M.S. Avenger is headed into battle against the French fleet during the Napoleonic Wars, and the dark shadow of two recent mutinies in the English fleet concern Captain Vere (Sir Peter Ustinov). He relies on his cruel and often sadistic Master-at-Arms John Claggert (Robert Ryan) to maintain what he believes to be tenuous order and discipline aboard the ship. When a new seaman, Billy Budd (Terence Stamp), is pressed into service from a passing merchantman, his innocent, happy-go-lucky attitude quickly endears him to his messmates as well as the ship's officers. However, his charismatic naivete seems to bother Claggert, whose perverse depravity makes him resent Billy's good-natured purity, especially after the teenager's promotion to fore-top Captain. The mean-spirited Claggert unfairly plots to put him on report and ultimately perjures himself when he accuses Billy of conspiring to mutiny.—Gabe Taverney (duke1029@aol.com)

Plot Keywords

captain, seaman, military officer, assistant, lieutenant, young man, tense, fascinating, profound, rousing, ship, deck, mediterranean sea, accidental death, moral dilemma, false accusations, schemes, law enforcement, naval warfare, rivalry, fall, 1790s

Short Review

It's a story better suited for the book than the screen.

Trailer

Streaming Service

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3. Vudu : [SD - Rent: 2.99]