charlywiles

After hearing about this adaptation of Melville's story for decades, I finally got around to seeing it today and I was not disappointed. Kudos to Peter Ustinov, who not only gives an outstanding performance as the ship's captain but also co-wrote the screenplay and produced and directed the film as well. In only his 3rd film appearance, Terence Stamp is also terrific as the innocent and upright title character - a role that's miles (and decades) away from his great performance in "The Limey." Robert Ryan (an underrated Hollywood actor) is suitably sadistic and chilling as the ship's master-at-arms and the superb Melvin Douglas and David McCallum are excellent in support. This is a memorable and tragic story about duty and moral courage that will not soon be forgotten by all who have seen it.

Never heard of this before, but when I learned that the director was Wyler and the script was from Sturges, I had to give this a try and am glad that I did. It was wonderfully enjoyable. Sullivan was just marvelous and Marshall and Owen were very good, but old, dependable Frank Morgan as the mixed-up, aging wannabe playboy absolutely had me in stitches. With lines like "There's many a cup twixt the slip and ... whatever it is" (apologies to Erasmus) and "I never forget a face - who ARE you?" I just couldn't stop laughing whenever he was on screen. Another reviewer here commented on this picture's similarities to a Lubitsch film and I couldn't agree more. This screwball effort is highly recommended.