Billy Budd is an innocent, naive seaman in the British Navy in 1797. When the ship's sadistic master-at-arms is murdered, Billy is accused and tried.
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Title: Billy Budd (1962)
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H.M.S. Avenger is headed into battle against the French fleet during the Napoleonic Wars, and the dark shadow of two recent mutinies in the English fleet concern Captain Vere (Sir Peter Ustinov). He relies on his cruel and often sadistic Master-at-Arms John Claggert (Robert Ryan) to maintain what he believes to be tenuous order and discipline aboard the ship. When a new seaman, Billy Budd (Terence Stamp), is pressed into service from a passing merchantman, his innocent, happy-go-lucky attitude quickly endears him to his messmates as well as the ship's officers. However, his charismatic naivete seems to bother Claggert, whose perverse depravity makes him resent Billy's good-natured purity, especially after the teenager's promotion to fore-top Captain. The mean-spirited Claggert unfairly plots to put him on report and ultimately perjures himself when he accuses Billy of conspiring to mutiny. Written by Gabe Taverney (duke1029@aol.com)
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The Men!.. The Mutiny!...The Might!... Of Herman Melville's Classic Adventure of the High Seas! See more »Parents Guide:
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Captain Vere: It's no right. Which one of us here have rights? It's my duty and I must perform it.
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Goofs
When Claggart dies, his head tilts to his right. The Captain and Billy exit the cabin. Moments later, the Captain and surgeon return to the cabin. Claggart's head is pointing straight forward. See more »Quotes
Lieutenant Seymour: Aye sir, that is your right.Captain Vere: It's no right. Which one of us here have rights? It's my duty and I must perform it.
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Crazy Credits
and introducing / Terrence Stamp See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
12 November 1962 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Billy Budd See more »Company Credits
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One of the best dramas of the sixties. The acting in this movie is superb. With an all star cast of Robert Ryan, Peter Ustinov, Melvyn Douglas and Terrance Stamp you can't go wrong. Filmed in glorious black and white. Ustinov at his best as the perplexed Captain and my favorite Robert Ryan as the sadistic Master of Arms. Billy Budd is a high seas adventure which won't disappoint.