Damn the Defiant! (1962)

100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(1,399 ratings)

Damn the Defiant! is an 18th-century seafaring drama from director Lewis Gilbert. Alec Guinness plays the stern but compassionate captain of a British warship, engaged in the Napoleonic wars. Guinness is popular with his men, which is more than can be said for his new second-in-command Dirk Bogarde.… More Damn the Defiant! is an 18th-century seafaring drama from director Lewis Gilbert. Alec Guinness plays the stern but compassionate captain of a British warship, engaged in the Napoleonic wars. Guinness is popular with his men, which is more than can be said for his new second-in-command Dirk Bogarde. When Guinness tries to modify Bogarde's sadistic adherence to discipline, Bogarde responds by mistreating Guinness' cabin-boy son, knowing that the captain cannot intervene under the edicts of British maritime law. During an incipient mutiny, Bogarde is accidently killed, and Guinness knows that the crewmen responsible must hang once they reach shore. But after these same men perform courageously in battle, Guinness suffers a crisis of conscience: How can he condemn these fearlessly patriotic men to death, as he knows he must? Based on the novel Mutiny by Frank Tilsley. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Frank Tilsley, Lewis Gilbert
Written By: Nigel Kneale, Edmund H. North
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1962 Wide
On DVD: Oct 10, 2000
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Alec Guinness gives a dignified performance as the humanitarian captain.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
colorful period piece with another strong performance from Alec Guinness.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Okay nautical drama blessed with two acting greats in Guinness and Bogarde. Beautiful photgraphy and attention to detail help but it loses it way towards the end and is never as rousing as it wants to be. Dirk is one sadistic and malevolent jerk.
xGary X

This rousing sea-faring adventure set during the Napoleonic war stars Alec Guiness as a fair-minded sea captain vying for control over his ship with coldly sadistic first mate Dirk Bogarde. The interplay and politicking between the two is the real reason to watch this film; I found… More
This rousing sea-faring adventure set during the Napoleonic war stars Alec Guiness as a fair-minded sea captain vying for control over his ship with coldly sadistic first mate Dirk Bogarde. The interplay and politicking between the two is the real reason to watch this film; I found myself wishing they'd get the battle sequences over with so I could get back to the more interesting political machinations. Anthony Quayle provides excellent support below decks as a revolutionary-minded crewman and it slots in nicely with the historical background of the story. If you liked Master and Commander, check this out. It's better.
Barry L

Alec Guiness was born to be a captain...great seafaring romp.

Cast

            Alec Guinness as Capt. Crawford

            Dirk Bogarde as Lt. Scott-Padget

            Anthony Quayle as Vizard

            Tom Bell as Evans

            Maurice Denham as Surgeon Goss

            Walter Fitzgerald as Adm. Jackson

            Victor Maddern as Dawlish

            Murray Melvin as Wagstaffe

            Nigel Stock as Senior Midshipman Kilpatrick

            Johnny Briggs as Wheatley

            Richard Carpenter as Lt. Ponsonby

            Bryan Pringle as Sgt. Kneebone

            Joy Shelton as Mrs. Crawford

            David Robinson as Harvey Crawford

            Ray Brooks as Hayes

            Michael Coles as Flag Lieutenant

            Ann Lynn as Young Wife

            Andre Maranne as Col. Giraud

            Declan Mulholland as Morrison

            Russell Napier as Flag Captain

            Brian Phelan as Grimshaw

            Robin Stewart as Pardoe

            Toke Townley as "Silly Billy" Whiting

            Anthony Oliver as Tavern Leader

            Peter Greenspan as Johnson
See full cast