BLIGH OF THE BOUNTY.

Evening Star, Issue 22308, 7 April 1936, Page 8

BLIGH OF THE BOUNTY.

The film, 'Mutiny On the Bounty,’ which is now attracting large audiences in Dunedin, is another production that causes sticklers for accuracy in the presentation of historical detail to wriggle in their .seats and give expression to mutterings in no way complimentary to the motion picture art. It must be stated, however, that ‘Mutiny On the Bounty,’ technically and pictorially, reaches a very high standard; the might of its box office appeal is not surprising. The fact that the story in certain phases wanders slightly from the accepted historical course may perhaps be attributed to the penchant of producers for exploiting the highlights of drama at almost any cost. For the sake of heightening the entertainment value of some pictures, it may be necessary to do this. In the case of ‘ Mutiny On the Bounty,’ however, the necessity is not quite so clear. Here is

a real life story, brimful of action and vibrant with human emotion, that does not appear to require the workings of a studio imagination to make it adequately alluring. The outstanding inconsistency centres on the characterisation of Lieutenant William Bligh (later a vice-admiral), who, at the time of the mutiny, was in command of H.M.S. Bounty. Up to a point the picture presents Bligh in a true light. He is depicted as a brave man and a skilful navigator—one who created an epic of the sea when, after being cast adrift from the Bounty with 18 companions in an open boat, he successfully completed a journey of 3,618 miles across almost uncharted seas to safety. But at that the producers’ conception of Bligh’s better qualities ends. He is shown as a mean, not always honest, commander, and a brutal disciplinarian whose methods of handling his crew were more than tinged with savagery. On the other hand, Fletcher Christian, leader of the mutineers, is represented in almost every way as an upright hero, possessed of distinct qualities of kindly leadership and a keen desire to take the part of downtrodden men. There is no doubt that the personal traits of each man have been exaggerated for the sake of effect. Possibly the makers of the picture wished to create in Christian a worthwhile hero to be worshipped by a section of film lovers who are not averse to making a demi-god out of a mutineer if nobody better is offering. Or perhaps they felt that the facts as history presents them did not justify the mutiny. There can never be any doubt but that Bligh was a martinet, temperamental to a degree, and Jacking in tact in the handling of his men. However - , there is no evidence in authentic literature to support the extreme lengths in flogging to which the film makes Bligh resort. Then, again, it is clear that the picturised version departs from history when it places on Bligh the responsibility of capturing those of the Bounty’s company, who remoined at Tahiti after Christian and his adherents had sailed off in search of a lonely island home. Actually it was. Captain Edwards of the Pandora who picked up this group.

Although it is generally agreed that the film has outstanding merit, the portrayal of Bligh has received withering criticism in Australia at the hands of ’Dr George Mackaness, whose volume, ‘ The Life of Vice-Admiral Bligh,’ recently won for him a history research scholarship at Melbourne University. In alleging certain distortions in the film. Dr Mackaness describes the real Bligh as the man who fought valiantly at Camperdown and Copenhagen; the man publicly commended by Nelson; the man who sailed round the world with Cook; the man who, as master of the Resolution, was responsible for the navigation of that vessel and whose charts and surveys, with his capacity ns an explorer, entitle him to be placed in the forefront of navigators of all time; and the man who, when a new Governor of New South Wales was wanted, was without hesitation nominated by Sir Joseph Banks, A model of effici-

ency himself, he expected efficiency in others. On the Bounty, unfortunately, he did not always get it. Which fact, allied to the vicissitudes of a trying voyage, apparently brought out in him some of the harshness to which exception was taken by his crew. However, such pictorial deviations from historical literature as are revealed in ‘ Mutiny on the Bounty ’ do iot necessarily mean that a film should be condemned. Very often attendance at an entertainment of the kind whets the appetite for a fuller knowledge of interesting events of the past. This is readily accessible at any of the big libraries.

It has often been said that the game of Rugby is a religion with New Zealanders, and there certainly seems some justification for the remark in the light of a letter received by the Management Committee of the Otago Rugby Union from a player who sought a transfer from one club to another. Ho had, he said, been appointed to committees controlling two organisations of his church, but unfortunately the meetings of these committees were held on the nights on which football practices were held. If the committee agreed to his transfer to the other club he would be able to attend both its practices and the meetings of the church committees; but if he had to remain with his present club some of his time would be occupied in travelling to practices. “I do not wish to sever my connection with the church organisations,” he said, “ hut I must do so if my transfer is not granted.”

Ai Rugby test match between the visiting Australian team and New Zealand will be played at Dunedin during the forthcoming Rugby season. The game will take place on Saturday, Sepr tember 5, and will be the only appearance of the visitors here, as a match against the Otago provincial team is not included in the programme. The appalling experience of early immigrants on the passage to New Zealand may be gauged from the rough passage just made by a big liner' on the same route. The liner was in ballast with a freeboard of 20ft or so, and the heavy seas prevented the crew from working on deck. The sailing ship carrying immigrants was about a tenth of the size of the liner, and the sailer was usually loaded down to the scuppers. But seamanship on board still holds good, for the liner came through the semi-submarine ordeal and there was not even a broken rope yarn —every fitting came through it intact. The vessel is now loading fruit at Port Chalmers.

A Timaru Association message states that the Director of Air Services has issued a license for the aerodrome at the Hermitage, which is now open for traffic. The official opening of the airport will take place early in May. Another step towards the formation of swimming baths in Mosgiel was taken last evening when the Borough Council decided to purchase a section fronting Gordon road, near the Silverstream for a site.

The hearing of a.charge against John Patrick Hoare of procuring liquor for a prohibited person was concluded in the Police Court yesterday afternoon before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M. The case had been aiijourned from Friday so that a statement could be procured from a man in hospital. This statement, according to Mr J. G. .Warrington, who appeared for the defendant, merely made confusion worse confounded. The magistrate said that he was extremely suspicious as to what happened, but on the evidence before him the charge had not been proved and must be dismissed.

There has been a normal honey crop in South and Central Otago and Southland this season, but North Otaga, in keeping with most other parts of the Dominion, has experienced a very lean period. The total crop from New Zealand colonies' will be below the average, and as the districts in the south have had the most satisfactory crops a considerable number of consignments has already been shipped to the North Island. As the season’s final grading of Otago and Southland honey will not be made at Bluff until July it will be difficult until then, to give a true estimate of the crops obtained.

A letter was read from the Otago Hospital Board at last night’s meeting of the Mosgiel Borough Council regarding the levy for 1936-37. After a lengthy round-the-table talk on the increases in levy in recent years, and explanations offered by the mayor, who is the council’s representative on the board, the matter was referred to the Finance Committee.

The present is the flush of the apple and pear export season, and although the quantity being sent overseas is by no means as large as the record established last year, the season’s total consignment will consist of approximately 80,000 cases. Already 16,133 cases have been shipped, and to-day 18,000 cases were being placed on the Kumara at Port Chalmers. Other vessels to carry fruit, during April and early in May will be the Mahana, Port Nicholson, and Coptic, and it is anticipated that there will not be any difficulty in filling all of the three latter ships. All the cases are being sent to London, but they are not all for the English market, a fair number being transhipped for the Continent at London.

Though everything is in readiness for the transport of “‘Joey,” the sea lion, to Wellington, where he will he given a home in the zoo, he has failed to appear in his usual haunts during the past few days and his departure has consequently been delayed. A comfortable crate has been prepared for him for the steamer voyage, during which he will be well fed and/probably hosed occasionally with sea water. The process of capturing the animal and transporting him to the Corporation yard to be housed in the crate is awaited with interest.

The Undcr-seoretary of the Department of Internal Affairs advised the Taieri River Trust yesterday that the matter of the re-enactment of legislation for the purpose of enabling local authorities to remit or postpone the payment of the 10 per cent, penalty on rates had been before the Government, and appropriate legislation would be introduced during the forthcoming session enabling local authorities to grant concessions with regard to the remission of the penalty on rates for the rating year 1935-36.

In the Police Court this morning, before Mr .1. R. Bartholomew, S.M., William M'Kean (43) was charged with, on -or about April 1, breaking and entering the Waiwera Service Store and stealing a quantity of tobacco, cigarettes, and chocolates, of a total value of £7 16s Bd. He was represented by Mr C. .1. L. White. A remand till April 20 was granted, bail being fixed at self £IOO and one surety of £IOO, or two of £SO each.

One side of the wind protection fence round the Caversbam tennis court, Marion street, was damaged by fire this morning. The brigade was called at 7.38. The cause of the outbreak is unknown. At 11.27 a justifiable false alarm from Albert street jyas answered.