H.M.S. DEFIANT

UK, 1962, 101 minutes, Colour.
Alec Guinness, Dirk Bogarde, Anthony Quayle, Tom Bell, Nigel Stock.
Directed by Lewis Gilbert.

H.M.S. Defiant is a better than average sea adventure directed by Lewis Gilbert who made a number of comedies and especially war films in the 50s. In the late 60s and 70s he was to move into the big-budget blockbuster with You Only Live Twice and The Adventurers. In the 70s he made Friends and its sequel, Paul and Michelle as well as The Spy Who Loved Me. H.M.S. Defiant re-creates the atmosphere of the British Navy in the 18th century with its honourable captains as well as its press gangs and sadistic career sailors. The dramatics are very effective in the pitting of Alec Guinness as a benevolent captain against Dirk Bogarde as a sadistic officer. H.M.S. Defiant is excellent adventure melodrama.

1. The emphasis and tone of the title. The tone of the alternate title: Damn the Defiant?

2. The use of colour, Cinemascope, the re-creation of the 18th century, the way of life at sea, the Napoleonic wars? The authenticity of the atmosphere?

3. The quality of the film as an adventure: the press gangs, the way of life on a ship, the Napoleonic wars, battles such as that against the fire ship at the end?

4. The film and its social commentary; the press gangs and the effects on the way of life of England in the 18th century, the backgrounds of the men pressed, naval rank, influence? The rebels in the Navy and their call for justice? The fairness of their cause and the way that it was accepted?

5. The impact of the opening with the press gangs, the way of life of Captain Crawford, his son going on board and the separation from wife and mother? What kind of captain was he? A just man, the nature of his running the ship, his strengths and weaknesses? His exercise of authority in the atmosphere of the times? His having to cope with his son being victimised? His way of avoiding confrontation with Scott Padgett? what values of the English Navy did he stand for? His own shrewdness in war, loyalty of the crew, supporting the Hen in their just cause?

6. The contrast with Scott Padgett? A credible naval man, his sadistic outlook, his love of power, his wanting to be right, his hardness with the men? His background and reputation for destroying careers? His using his subordinate officers, his victimisation of Harvey Crawford? The floggings? What evils did he represent?

7. The importance of the character of Vizard and his leading of the sailors against authority? His patience, looking for the right time, rehearsing the men, the oaths? The contrast with Evans and his spontaneous anger endangering a cause? The lawyer who was pressed, his being forced to make the oath, his helping of the cause? The suffering of the crew, the floggings, the dangers, the incident with the food as sparking off the revolt?

8. The character of the doctor and the emphasis on humanity, his concern for the boy, the amputation of the Captain's arm?

9. The presentation of confrontation with the French, the atmosphere of patriotism?

10. The nature of rebellion and mutiny, the dramatics of the taking over of the ship, coping with the situations of war? The impact of the pardon?

11. The arrogance of Scott Padgett and the arrogance of Evans, the deaths of both? How did they affect the issues, the consequences for the revolters? Vizard's death?

12. The picture of England, of human nature, social injustice, heroism?