TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST

US, 1946, 98 minutes, Black and white.
Alan Ladd, Brian Donlevy, William Bendix, Barry Fitzgerald, Howard Da Silva.
Directed by John Farrow.

Two Years Before the Mast was made at a time of popularity of Alan Ladd and the other Paramount contract players featured in this adventure. John Farrow had directed them many times. The original book was an admired sea adventure with social comment. However, critics considered the film treatment rather heavy-handed. John Farrow's films do not weather the decades so well, but the film is rousing sea material.

1. The film stated at the opening that the theme was about social reform. It was an explicitly moralising film. Did this hinder its impact in any way?

2. Was the situation outlined in the prologue well presented visually so that the audience was involved? How?

3. What impression did the sequence with the older Stewart make? What kind of man was he? What kind of merchant? How had he built up his wealth? Justly?

4. Why did Charles react against him? Was Charles just a fop at the beginning of the film or did he have any redeeming qualities?

5. What picture of the 'Pilgrim' did the film give? Was it initially too harsh a ship or did it appear tough according to the styles of the times? What kind of man was Captain Thompson? Why was he so obsessed with records? did his dismissal from the navy have anything to do with this? Why was he so unbending in his literal upholding of the law? Why did he never smile? What kind of man was Amazeen? Thompson had been harsh to him according to the letter of the law yet had taken him on the 'Pilgrim, Why was Arnazeen so harsh?

8. Was there any justification for shanghaiing? How cruel was it ? e.g., Hayes, the farmer, and Charles Stewart himself?

9. How did Ballamer's attempt to murder at the first meeting set the tone for the voyage?

10. Why did Charles Stewart continue to act snobbishly? (Why did his father decide to leave him on the ship without?complaint?). What changed Stewart ? Sam llooper, lashing, friendship with Dana, trust? How did Stewart develop as a man and in his awareness of the realities of life?

11. What kind of man was Dana? What did he hope to achieve by his diary? Was he a reasonable man, a good man to have among men? Why?

12. Comment on the importance in the film of Sam Hooper, the stowaway cabin boy, Dooley the Cook, Foster the sneak, Hayes and his staying alive for his family and farm?

13. How was the harshness of the life on the ship shown visually? How important were punishments, food, scurvey, sneaking food and drink, heat, storms?

14. Why would Captain Thompson not get fresh food? How convincing were his answers to every objection and his being prepared to put up with difficulties? What impression did he make at the funeral service?

15. Did Maria contribute much to the film besides a female lead and some romantic interest?

16. Was Stewart entitled to take over the ship so that fresh food could be taken aboard? Had he not been the owner's son, would he have been entitled to do this?

17. Why did Thompson want a trial so quickly?

18. Was the escape plan well thought out? Was it the best thing to do? Why did Amazeen turn against the Captain? Were you surprised when Thompson shot him? Why? Why did they all return?

19. Were you glad when Thompson was killed? Why?

20. Were the court scenes (and the publication of Dana's book) effective or not?

21. This was a sea adventure film as well as a moralising tale. Which aspect predominated? Why?