The Bounty

Introduction

“The Bounty” is a historical film drama by Australian film director Roger Donaldson and producer DIno de Laurentiis for which Vangelis composed an original score. The film starring Anthony Hopkins and Mel Gibson premiered in cinemas on the 4th of May 1984 and is based on true events during the last voyage of the HMS Bounty (from 1787 to 1790). While the story of the mutiny on the Bounty has been told many times and is a popular inspiration for books and films, this film is based on the book “Captain Bligh and Mr. Christian” (1972) by Richard Hough and as such is considered one of the more historically accurate depictions.

After his success with “Chariots Of Fire” (1981) Vangelis was very much sought after as a film score composer and he passed up the opportunity the score Hugh Hudson’s “Greystoke” (1984) in favor of “The Bounty”. Director Roger Donaldson remembered: ‘Vangelis only liked to record at night, he did all the music himself, played all the music. We would go to his studio at night, and Vangelis would assemble a number of his friends, and really compose the music as he was recording it and put together a performance for his friends. He would have the music up very loud and the picture up very large, and he would create the music to playback as we’re watching the film’.

Unfortunately Vangelis’ score for The Bounty (recorded in November 1983) was never officially released on a soundtrack album, only a slightly re-arranged version of both the opening and closing titles of the film were included on the compilation albums Themes (1989). In 1995 a bootleg album appeared on the OWM label which seems to have been sourced from insider tapes as it includes more music than heard in the film, including the traditional and Tahitian ethnic parts (not by Vangelis) heard in the film. Unfortunately the audio quality of the bootleg is simply awful, almost unlistenable, making the tracks on the Themes-album the preferred choice.

Another option to hear Vangelis’ score is to find a copy of the film on the bluray release of Twilight Time (US 2015) or Imprint (Australia 2023), both of which include an isolated score audiotrack of the music. Curiously this isolated score is in mono and not in the best of quality, an odd feature as the music heard in the film is unmistakeably stereo. The bluray from Imprint has the advantage of including the most bonus material, including a featurette about Vangelis and his music for The Bounty, which would make it the recommended option if looking for a copy of the film.

Details and credits

Title: The Bounty
Country: UK/US
Year: 1984
Length: 133 minutes
Directed by Roger Donaldson.
Screenplay by Rogert Bolt.
Music by Vangelis.
Engineer: Raphael Preston.
Cinematographer: Arthur Ibbetson
Editor: Tony Lawson
Produced by Bernard Williams and Dino de Laurentiis.

Cast

Mel Gibson - Fletcher Christian
Anthony Hopkins - Lt William Bligh
Laurence Olivier - Admiral Hood
Edward Fox - Captain Greetham
Daniel Day-Lewis - Fryer
Bernard Hill - Cole
Phil Davis - Young
Liam Neeson - Churchill
Wi Kuki Kaa - King Tynah
Tevaite Vernette - Mauatua
Philip Martin Brown - Adams
Simon Chandler - Nelson
Malcolm Terris - Doctor Huggan
Simon Adams - Heywood
John Sessions - Smith
Andrew Wilde - McKoy
Neil Morrissey - Quintal
Richard Graham - Mills
Dexter Fletcher - Ellison
Pete Lee-Wilson - Purcell

Media

Bluray

2012 Opening Distribution / Filmedia France “Le Bounty”
2015 Twilight Time US (includes isolated score)
2018 Via Vision Entertainment Australia
2019 Kino Lorber US and Canada
2019 Capelight Pictures Germany “Die Bounty” (Limited Mediabook Collector's Edition)
2020 Capelight Pictures Germany “Die Bounty”
2023 BQHL Éditions France “Le Bounty”
2023 Imprint Australia (includes isolated score)

DVD

2000s, released worldwide.

The Bounty was initially released on VHS video and Laserdisc, but has been available on digital formats since the 2000s. Avoid the film on DVD, as many releases cut the film short at the end titles, thus missing out on Vangelis’ closing theme! If in need of a copy of the film the bluray from Imprint is recommended, as it includes the most bonus material, including an isolated score, the Making of The Bounty documentary and a featurette about Vangelis and his music for The Bounty.

More

In the commentary track available on Bluray and DVD discs director of The Bounty Roger Donaldson shared several anecdotes:

‘When we were mixing the film, Vangelis was at one of the mixing sessions one day, and he was indicating to the music mixer ‘a little louder with the music, a little louder’. And finally the dialogue mixer said: ‘What about the dialogue?’. And Vangelis said: ‘What dialogue?’...
‘We were going to Vangelis’ apartment one night with my daughter, who I think she was about 13 at this time, and she loved “Chariots Of Fire” the music, and asked him if he would play it for her. Anyway, so to play it for her, he actually lay on the piano and played it backwards, he sort lay over the top of the piano and played the piece backwards! And she was very impressed...’

Synopsis

The story begins with the Bounty setting sail from England in 1787, under the command of the strict and disciplined Lieutenant Bligh. His mission is to transport breadfruit plants from Tahiti to the West Indies, where they are hoped to serve as a cheap food source for slaves. Bligh’s harsh leadership style and severe punishments quickly create tension among the crew, including his second-in-command, Fletcher Christian.

After a gruelling ten-month voyage, the Bounty reaches Tahiti. The crew enjoys a prolonged stay, during which they experience the island’s beauty and the warmth of its people. This idyllic interlude contrasts sharply with the hardships of life at sea under Bligh’s command. Christian, in particular, forms a deep attachment to the island and its way of life, as well as to a Tahitian woman.

When the time comes to leave, Bligh’s impatience and cruelty resurface. The crew, now reluctant to abandon Tahiti and return to the brutality of naval discipline, becomes increasingly discontented. The final straw comes when Bligh accuses Christian and others of stealing coconuts, leading to a humiliating punishment. In a moment of desperation and defiance, Christian leads a mutiny, seizing control of the ship and setting Bligh and his loyalists adrift in a small boat.

The mutineers return to Tahiti, where some choose to stay, while Christian and a few others sail on to Pitcairn Island to escape British justice. Meanwhile, Bligh and his men endure an incredible 4,000-mile open-boat journey to Timor, surviving against all odds. Bligh eventually returns to England, where he is court-martialed but exonerated.

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