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Billy Budd

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Synopsis

In 1797, under the Rights of War Act, an English warship, Avenger, conscripts a young, good-natured innocent (Stamp) from a merchant ship at sea. Avenger's master at arms (Ryan) is particularly sadistic, even by the standards of the British Navy at the time, whose officers had life and death control over their crews. Outstanding performances from the entire cast are supported by solid direction from Ustinov, who also produced and coscripted, as well as plays the ship's captain. A strong, straightforward story of morality and honor, based on the novella by Herman Melville.

3 Reasons To buy this film

Anyone who has not seen films starring a young Terrence Stamp should do so!
The homosexual obsession is not overt, but for any gay man, they'll see it loud and clear.
One can see why old Claggard falls for the blue-eyed young man.

Review

Taken from Herman Melville's last work, this rousing allegorical sea yarn set in the late 18th century is a fascinating study of good and evil, innocence and treachery, the ineffectiveness of civilized justice, and subtle homosexual obsession. A beautiful young merchant marine, Billy Budd (a luminous Terence Stamp), is pressed into military service and comes under the sadistic command of First Mate Claggard (an intensely sinister Robert Ryan). Against his own wishes, Claggard finds himself attracted to the young man, an attraction that he fatally fights off.

-- Raymond Murray