MAJESTIC THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 151, 21 March 1936, Page 15

MAJESTIC THEATRE

‘Mutiny on the Bounty”

Good support was accorded the open ing presentations of the third week nt the Majestic Theatre of “Mutiny on the Bounty” yesterday. The film follows the actual facts with a good deal of accuracy. Captain Bligh left England for Tahiti abifut 150 years ago in the warship Bounty, the purpose of the voyage being to load breadfruit trees for the We t Indies. The role of the cruel and tryrannical captain, who before sailing embezzled the ship's stores, and afterward broke the spirit of his men by flogging, overwork and short rations, is played with great ability by Charles Laughton. Throughout the voyage the rope's end is in constant use, and even hie officers Bligh submits to indignity, insult, and injustice. No wonder when Tahiti is reached crew and officers are looking forward to the relaxation of dry land. But not so Biigh. There is to be no shore leave for enjoyment. The work of loading must occupy all hands—except Roger Byam, midshipman (Franchot Tone), who has been sent by Sir Joseph Banks to make a dictionary of the Tahitian language. He is adopted into the family of the high chief, and spends his time ashore. Roger's friend, Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable), master's mate, is Bljgh’s especial enemy. Two days out from land, bound for the West Indies, Bligh accuses Christian of a petty theft. The men are ripe for mutiny, and quite spontaneously their smouldering rage breaks into open flame. Bligh and his supporters are thrown into the ship’s boat and turned adrift. After a long and hazardous ocean passage of some thousands of miles in an open boat, one of the seafaring sagas of all times, they reach the East Indies.* Meanwhile Christian and his party sail for Tahiti. Byam has fallen stunned by a musket butt and nin«t accompany them. How he waits in Tahiti for the coining of a British ship which takes him back to stand trial in England with a number of other mutineers, how Christian and the ringleaders, ' with a number of native girls, seek out the lonely islands of Pitcairn as a safe shelter for the rest of their lives, provide.) a fine de-, nouement to a very remarkable film.