Billy Budd

Peter Ustinov produced, directed, co-wrote, and starred in this 1962 screen version of Herman Melville's allegorical 1891 novel, adapted in part from the stage play by Louis O. Coxe and Robert H. Chapman. Those stage origins show in this slow, archly serious, heavy-handed drama. Robert Ryan receives top billing as the sadistic master of arms who enjoys punishing and torturing the sailors, Ustinov is the captain who allows the abuse under his command, and Terence Stamp (in his film debut) plays the innocent Billy Budd, a guileless, honest young merchant seaman conscripted into military service. Billy’s childlike optimism drives the master of arms to break his spirit to justify his own pessimistic view of humanity. Billy Budd is beautifully shot in black-and-white by Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Krasker, who brings a majestic beauty to scenes shot on working ships and he photographs Stamp with an angelic glow. But Ustinov's direction is stagey, with measured performances and scenes that are framed like a chamber drama as he underlines the themes—the letter of the law versus justice, cruelty versus kindness, the responsibility of power—in long, dialogue-heavy sequences. Melvyn Douglas plays the Danish sailor who serves as a Greek chorus and John Neville and David McCallum also costar. All in all, this is still a well-produced and faithful adaptation, featuring an impressive, Oscar-nominated performance by Stamp. Presented with a new 2K scan, extras include a 2007 audio commentary by Stamp and filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)