Damn the Defiant! (1962)

Set in 1797 at the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars, Damn the Defiant! (also known as H.M.S. Defiant) is an enthralling British naval drama made to capitalize on MGM's epic remake of Mutiny on the Bounty, also released in 1962. It's based on Frank Tilsey's novel Mutiny and stars Alex Guinness as a fair-minded captain locked in psychological conflict with his manipulative, coldly malicious first officer (Dirk Bogarde), and the parallels with the famous true story are clear. However, there were many naval mutinies during this period, and this large-scale saga, which includes some spectacularly staged widescreen naval battles, offers a realistic depiction of life in the British navy at the time--from the press gangs and floggings to the appalling food and living conditions.

Director Lewis Gilbert--who previously helmed Sink the Bismarck! (1960)--strikes a good balance between the personal drama and sweeping maritime adventure. Guinness successfully varies his firm-but-fair officer from The Bridge on the River Kwai, Bogarde is chillingly hateful, and Anthony Quayle gives strong support. --Gary S. Dalkin Amazon.com

interesting british naval drama

Interesting, yes. Fine performances. Good direction from Lewis Gilbert. However, pretty atrocious remastering. Full of aritifact and dust specks. October 13, 2008

Great actors, great movie

Alec Guinness gives a great performance as an humanitarian captain during a very interesting period of history. This 1962 movie shows undoubtedly a good achievement in visuals, even according to present standards, despite the deficiency (or absence) of FX. August 18, 2008

Damn the Defiant Review

An excellent film about the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, which shows great details of life on an 18th century war ship. This war drama has great acting by all, particularly Alec Guinness and Dirk Bogarde, with fine dialog and well-staged naval battles. The 2.35:1 widescreen DVD (CinemaScope) is enhanced for 16:9 TVs and of high quality. June 5, 2008

Not Exactly a Classic

I purchased this on a friends recommendation who seemed to have similiar likes in other movies. Alec Guinnes is great. My wife and I were expecting something along the lines of Horatio HornBlower. Horatio it wasn't.
Ok to watch once however it will gather some dust in our library before its next viewing. November 13, 2007

Damn the Defiant!

This salty, sadly overlooked British entry fires on all cylinders. Lewis Gilbert (who'd go on to direct the original "Alfie" and three Bond entries) displays a sure hand here, with two first-class actors (Guinness and a deliciously hateful Bogarde) crossing verbal swords with gusto, while the always reliable Anthony Quayle organizes the men below. The denouement is worth waiting for, with stunning color footage recreating these beautiful ships in full battle mode. As period war movies go, you'll find this "Defiant" ship-shape indeed. June 27, 2007

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