When a kind-hearted sailor is made to join an English vessel at war in 1797, he finds himself caught between devotion to his crewmates and obedience to their hated, cruel master-at-arms.When a kind-hearted sailor is made to join an English vessel at war in 1797, he finds himself caught between devotion to his crewmates and obedience to their hated, cruel master-at-arms.When a kind-hearted sailor is made to join an English vessel at war in 1797, he finds himself caught between devotion to his crewmates and obedience to their hated, cruel master-at-arms.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 8 nominations total
Ray McAnally
- William O'Daniel - Maintopman
- (as Ray McAnnally)
Niall MacGinnis
- Nathaniel Graveling - Ship's Master, Rights of Man
- (as Niall McGinnis)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaHerman Melville had been writing poetry for thirty years when he returned to fiction with "Billy Budd" in late 1888. Still unfinished when he died in 1891, it was forgotten. Melville's biographer accidentally stumbled upon it when going through a trunk of Melville's papers in his granddaughter's New Jersey house in 1919. Melville's widow worked to help complete it, and it was finally published in 1924. Over the years, other unsatisfactory versions were published, but it wasn't until Melville's original notes were found that the definitive version was ultimately published in 1962. Coincidentally, Sir Peter Ustinov's movie version was released the same year.
- GoofsWhen Billy Budd first comes onboard the British ship, he witnesses a sailor being flogged and is told by everyone that no one even knows what the sailor had done. This would not be the case in the Royal Navy, since at all floggings the Captain was required to read in front of the crew the specific Article of War which had been violated and then state the number of lashes for the offense.
- Quotes
Billy Budd: There are many ways to lie, Mr. Claggert, but there is only one way to tell the truth.
- Crazy creditsAs the cast is listed onscreen, the actors are heard stating their characters' names and ranks.
- Alternate versionsWest German theatrical version was cut by approx. five minutes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
Featured review
Under-rated Melville Classic!
Nothing can touch the book (quality-wise), but this Ustinov-directed epic of '62 is clearly under-rated for it's time with some fine performances with beautiful B/W cinematography. Ustinov also plays Captain Vere in a subdued and strange performance. Robert Ryan (superb actor is right on the money as Claggart. Terence Stamp (in his film debut, I believe) is the perfect Billy Budd and well deserving of his supporting Oscar nomination.
An 8 out of 10. Best performance = Terence Stamp. Melvyn Douglas is crusty as usual and David McCallum is well-cast and officious. This was adapted from one of the classic American novels so the film could only be criticized rightfully, but a stunning achievement in retrospect!
An 8 out of 10. Best performance = Terence Stamp. Melvyn Douglas is crusty as usual and David McCallum is well-cast and officious. This was adapted from one of the classic American novels so the film could only be criticized rightfully, but a stunning achievement in retrospect!
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- Oct 10, 2004
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Die Verdammten der Meere
- Filming locations
- Sierra Helada, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain(final scene: naval battle under the cliffs)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime2 hours 3 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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