| Product: |
H.M.S. Defiant (DVD) |
| Date: |
03/07/01 (105 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Lots of action.
Disadvantages: None.
During the time of the Napoleonic War life on board Royal Navy sailing ships was harsh and brutal.
This film follows life on board HMS Defiant, during one of it’s voyages, at a time when the sailors on the fleet’s ships were planning a rebellion in their attempt to get better conditions for the sailors.
Most of the sailors on board the naval ships had been press-ganged and this is where the film starts with a press gang collecting men for the next sailing. In charge of the ship is Captain Crawford who is brilliantly played by Alec Guiness and in second command of the ship is Lieutenant Scott-Padget who is played by Dirk Bogarde. There is a conflict between these two men who have very different views of how the ship should be run. The film follows the tension between these two men for control of the ship.
The whole film is excellently filmed with some terrific battle sequences between the British and the French Navys. As a period drama the costumes and mannerisms of the cast make this an extremely well made film.
There are quite a number of recognisable stars in the film and one memorable scene is when Seaman Wheatley receives two dozen lashes of the whip. Wheatley is played by a young Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin from Coronation Street).
There is plenty of sea faring action in this film, plus quite a bit of drama between the officers of the ship and also with the men planning their rebellion.
Although this is not the most memorable film ever made, it is good film to relax to and watch on a lazy afternoon, with some great acting and excellent historical representation.
Note: This film is also known as Damn the Defiant.
Summary:
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