{"id":86269,"date":"2022-08-17T12:33:33","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T19:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=86269"},"modified":"2024-01-07T00:32:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T07:32:14","slug":"billy-budd-1962","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=86269","title":{"rendered":"Billy Budd (1962)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;There are many ways to lie, Mr. Claggert, but there is only one way to tell the truth.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Poster-193x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"193\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-86270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Poster-193x300.png 193w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Poster-82x128.png 82w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Poster-173x270.png 173w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Poster.png 609w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 193px) 100vw, 193px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen a good-hearted young crewman named Billy Budd (Terence Stamp) begins work aboard a British naval vessel, he is soon targeted by a sadistic master-at-arms (Robert Ryan), and the ship&#8217;s captain (Peter Ustinov) faces the hardest decision of his career.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>At Sea<\/li>\n<li>Falsely Accused<\/li>\n<li>Melvyn Douglas Films<\/li>\n<li>Niall MacGinnis Films<\/li>\n<li>Peter Ustinov Films<\/li>\n<li>Robert Ryan Films<\/li>\n<li>Ruthless Leaders<\/li>\n<li>Terence Stamp Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeter Ustinov produced, directed, and co-starred in this adaptation of Herman Melville&#8217;s final (unpublished) novel, about the challenges of leadership in ethically murky waters. Unlike in <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=43571\"><em>Mutiny on the Bounty<\/em (1935)><\/a> &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=94489\">the remake of which was released the same year as this film<\/a> &#8212; the ultimate authority of the ship here remains steadfast; instead, it&#8217;s a subordinate leader who pushes the boundaries of acceptable behavior. As in <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=39970\"><em>The Naked Spur<\/em> (1953)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=53039\"><em>Bad Day at Black Rock<\/em> (1955)<\/a>, and other titles, Ryan once again excels at playing a menacing baddie who makes life untenable for those unwilling to kowtow to his demands: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan-1024x426.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"266\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-86277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan-1024x426.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan-768x320.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan-604x252.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan.png 1299w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and Stamp (in his breakthrough cinematic role) is an appropriately naive foil for his efforts. Unfortunately, there isn&#8217;t enough to the overall narrative arc to sustain the nearly two-hour storyline. Melvyn Douglas is on hand to provide wise counsel: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Douglas2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Douglas2-1024x431.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"269\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-86272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Douglas2-1024x431.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Douglas2-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Douglas2-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Douglas2-768x323.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Douglas2-604x254.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Douglas2.png 1307w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; but neither he nor the other supporting characters (including Ustinov himself) are sufficiently fleshed out to help us relate to their dilemmas. While this seems like a fine adaptation of Melville&#8217;s work, the story itself doesn&#8217;t quite rise to the ranks of its seafaring peers (including Melville&#8217;s own <a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=81303\"><em>Moby Dick<\/em><\/a>). <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Robert Ryan as John Claggart<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan2-1024x425.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"266\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-86273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan2-1024x425.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan2-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan2-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan2-768x318.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan2-604x250.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Ryan2.png 1295w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Terence Stamp as Billy Budd<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Stamp.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Stamp-1024x425.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"266\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-86278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Stamp-1024x425.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Stamp-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Stamp-128x53.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Stamp-768x318.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Stamp-604x250.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Billy-Budd-Stamp.png 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, though it&#8217;s worth a one-time look. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0055796\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/reviews\/review\/73233\">DVD Talk Review (spoiler alert) <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1962\/10\/31\/archives\/the-screen-billy-buddustinov-produces-and-directs-adaptation.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/26623\/billy-budd#articles-reviews?articleId=333835\">TCM Article (spoiler alert) <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s2239lit.html\">DVD Savant Review (scroll down)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;There are many ways to lie, Mr. Claggert, but there is only one way to tell the truth.&#8221; Synopsis: When a good-hearted young crewman named Billy Budd (Terence Stamp) begins work aboard a British naval vessel, he is soon targeted by a sadistic master-at-arms (Robert Ryan), and the ship&#8217;s captain (Peter Ustinov) faces the hardest decision of his career. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: At Sea Falsely Accused Melvyn Douglas Films Niall MacGinnis Films Peter Ustinov Films Robert Ryan Films&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=86269\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=86269"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":94760,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86269\/revisions\/94760"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=86269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=86269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=86269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}