Billy Budd (1962)

[8]

Peter Ustinov directs and co-stars in this adaptation of Herman Melville’s unfinished novel of the same name. Ustinov plays the captain of a British ship sailing to battle against France. His master-at-arms, John Claggart (The Wild Bunch‘s Robert Ryan), is a sadistic man who entraps the ship’s crew in criminal charges and lies about allegations. When a new, doe-eyed recruit named Billy Budd (Terence Stamp) is brought on board, he makes quick friends of the men and even tries to befriend Claggart. But when Claggart suspects he’s being charmed by the newcomer, he sets out to condemn the young man — possibly to death.

You can’t avoid comparisons to Mutiny on the Bounty, but Billy Budd is no less enjoyable for it. Terence Stamp, in only his second screen performance, is compelling as the stammering, almost angelic Billy. And Ryan is equally memorable as the fierce, seemingly soulless Claggart. There’s a scene in the middle of the movie when Billy and Claggart speak frankly with each other while passing time during the night’s watch. You almost get the sense that they might come to understand one another, but the scene ends with lines being drawn in the sand. It reminded me of the centerpiece scene from Heat, when Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino have their only conversation together in that film. In both films, the moment is the calm before the storm, before the characters part ways and prepare for a deadly showdown.

The third act gets didactic and the ending felt a bit rushed to me, but Billy Budd is a terrifically well-acted meditation on authority, morality, duty, and conscience. As director, Ustinov makes good use of black and white photography and claustrophobic sets. Melvyn Douglas and John Neville (The X-Files) are memorable in supporting roles.

Oscar Nomination: Best Supporting Actor (Stamp)