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H.M.S. Defiant

May 04, 2023

Not to be confused with HMS Defiance or USS Defiant.

H.M.S. Defiant (released as Damn the Defiant! in the United States[2]) is a British naval war CinemaScope and Technicolor film from 1962 starring Alec Guinness and Dirk Bogarde. It tells the story of a mutiny aboard the fictitious ship of the title at around the time of the Spithead mutiny in 1797. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert, with a screenplay by Nigel Kneale from Frank Tilsley's novel Mutiny (1958).[3] The film had its world premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in London's West End on 22 February 1962.[4]

H.M.S. Defiant
Original UK film poster
Directed byLewis Gilbert
Screenplay by
Based onMutiny
1958 novel
by Frank Tilsley
Produced byJohn Brabourne
Starring
CinematographyChristopher Challis
Edited byPeter R. Hunt
Music byClifton Parker
Production
company
G.W. Films Ltd
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release dates
  • 22 February 1962 (1962-02-22) (London)
  • 15 April 1962 (1962-04-15) (UK)
  • 19 September 1962 (1962-09-19) (USA)
Running time
101 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2 million[1]

Plot

In 1797, the humane Captain Crawford (Alec Guinness) is in command of the frigate HMS Defiant during the French Revolutionary Wars. He soon finds himself in a battle of wills with his first officer, the sadistic and supercilious first lieutenant, Mr. Scott-Padget (Dirk Bogarde). The lieutenant believes that Crawford is too soft on his crew, and also disagrees with the captain's decision to follow his orders to sail to Corsica despite word that Napoleon's army has overrun much of Italy. Scott-Padget has powerful family connections, which he has used in the past to "beach" two previous commanding officers with whom he disagreed. Knowing that Crawford is helpless to intervene, Scott-Padget subjects the Captain's son, Midshipman Harvey Crawford (David Robinson), to excessive daily punishments so as to gain leverage over the captain.

Meanwhile, some of the crew, led by seaman Vizard (Anthony Quayle), are preparing a written petition for better conditions, in conjunction with similar efforts throughout the British fleet. They eventually pledge nearly the entire crew.

In the Mediterranean, the Defiant encounters a French frigate escorting a merchant ship. After a sharp engagement, a boarding party from the Defiant captures the French frigate, and the merchantman surrenders. Crawford dispatches his son as part of the prize crew tasked to sail the captured merchantman to a British port, thereby placing him out of Scott-Padget's reach. Crawford tells Scott-Padget that bringing his son with him was a mistake, but now he's "put it right!" He further vows to take actions that will "astound" his second-in-command. Before long, Scott-Padget is confined to quarters as punishment for insubordination. His humiliation is compounded by the requirement that he appear on deck every two hours in full dress uniform, a punishment usually reserved for young midshipmen.

Soon, Defiant fights and captures a Venetian frigate, taking on many prisoners. Crawford is severely wounded in the action and eventually loses his arm. Discovered among the prisoners is a key aide to Napoleon, from whom the British learn important information about a planned invasion of Britain.

With Crawford incapacitated, Scott-Padget takes command, but his brutality goads the crew into a premature mutiny. Appealing to their patriotism, Crawford convinces Vizard and the other mutineers to sail for the main British fleet blockading Rochefort to warn them of the impending invasion. Crawford promises to intercede for the crew as best he can, on the condition that none of the officers are harmed.

As the Defiant reaches the fleet at Rochefort, they receive word that the main British fleet has already mutinied, with the Admiralty agreeing to all of the sailors' demands and granting an amnesty to those who took part. The crew's jubilation at the news is cut short when a hot-headed seaman, Evans, murders Scott-Padget. Realising that they are now all doomed to punishment as mutineers, an enraged Vizard kills Evans. Their only course now is to try to escape with the ship.

Just then, the French fleet sallies out from port, and a French fireship is sighted heading straight for the British flagship. As the only ship under sail, the Defiant has the unique opportunity to save the flagship. Once again, Crawford appeals to the crew's patriotism, making no promises but convincing them to intercept the fireship. Vizard is killed in the ensuing action, living just long enough to hear a message from the British admiral thanking Defiant for their honourable actions. The mutiny is over and HMS Defiant joins the fleet.

Cast

Production

The film was known as The Patriot[1][5]

Appearance in other media

Johnny Burnette sang a tie in Damn the Defiant ballad.

Reception

Films and Filming said it was the ninth most popular movie in Britain for the year ended 31 October 1962 after The Guns of Navarone, Dr No, The Young Ones, Only Two Can Play, The Road to Hong Kong, Spartacus, The Comancheros and Blue Hawaii, and in front of The Pirates of Blood River.[6]

Gilbert said "commercially it did alright in English speaking countries."[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "Nat Cohen's Many Deal with Yanks". Variety. 31 January 1962. p. 4.
  2. ^ IMDb: Release dates for H.M.S. Defiant Retrieved 16 April 2013
  3. ^ Tilsley, Frank (1958). Mutiny. Reynal.
  4. ^ The Times online archive 22/2/1962 page 2
  5. ^ a b Fowler, Roy (1996). "Lewis Gilbert Side 10". British Entertainment History Project.
  6. ^ British films are tops at box office Author: Douglas Marlborough Date: Monday, Dec. 10, 1962 Publication: Daily Mail p 3

External links

May 04, 2023
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Not to be confused with HMS Defiance or USS Defiant H M S Defiant released as Damn the Defiant in the United States 2 is a British naval war CinemaScope and Technicolor film from 1962 starring Alec Guinness and Dirk Bogarde It tells the story of a mutiny aboard the fictitious ship of the title at around the time of the Spithead mutiny in 1797 It was directed by Lewis Gilbert with a screenplay by Nigel Kneale from Frank Tilsley s novel Mutiny 1958 3 The film had its world premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in London s West End on 22 February 1962 4 H M S DefiantOriginal UK film posterDirected byLewis GilbertScreenplay byNigel KnealeEdmund H NorthBased onMutiny1958 novelby Frank TilsleyProduced byJohn BrabourneStarringAlec GuinnessDirk BogardeAnthony QuayleMaurice DenhamNigel StockCinematographyChristopher ChallisEdited byPeter R HuntMusic byClifton ParkerProductioncompanyG W Films LtdDistributed byColumbia PicturesRelease dates22 February 1962 1962 02 22 London 15 April 1962 1962 04 15 UK 19 September 1962 1962 09 19 USA Running time101 minutesCountryUnited KingdomLanguageEnglishBudget 2 million 1 Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 4 Appearance in other media 5 Reception 6 References 7 External linksPlot EditIn 1797 the humane Captain Crawford Alec Guinness is in command of the frigate HMS Defiant during the French Revolutionary Wars He soon finds himself in a battle of wills with his first officer the sadistic and supercilious first lieutenant Mr Scott Padget Dirk Bogarde The lieutenant believes that Crawford is too soft on his crew and also disagrees with the captain s decision to follow his orders to sail to Corsica despite word that Napoleon s army has overrun much of Italy Scott Padget has powerful family connections which he has used in the past to beach two previous commanding officers with whom he disagreed Knowing that Crawford is helpless to intervene Scott Padget subjects the Captain s son Midshipman Harvey Crawford David Robinson to excessive daily punishments so as to gain leverage over the captain Meanwhile some of the crew led by seaman Vizard Anthony Quayle are preparing a written petition for better conditions in conjunction with similar efforts throughout the British fleet They eventually pledge nearly the entire crew In the Mediterranean the Defiant encounters a French frigate escorting a merchant ship After a sharp engagement a boarding party from the Defiant captures the French frigate and the merchantman surrenders Crawford dispatches his son as part of the prize crew tasked to sail the captured merchantman to a British port thereby placing him out of Scott Padget s reach Crawford tells Scott Padget that bringing his son with him was a mistake but now he s put it right He further vows to take actions that will astound his second in command Before long Scott Padget is confined to quarters as punishment for insubordination His humiliation is compounded by the requirement that he appear on deck every two hours in full dress uniform a punishment usually reserved for young midshipmen Soon Defiant fights and captures a Venetian frigate taking on many prisoners Crawford is severely wounded in the action and eventually loses his arm Discovered among the prisoners is a key aide to Napoleon from whom the British learn important information about a planned invasion of Britain With Crawford incapacitated Scott Padget takes command but his brutality goads the crew into a premature mutiny Appealing to their patriotism Crawford convinces Vizard and the other mutineers to sail for the main British fleet blockading Rochefort to warn them of the impending invasion Crawford promises to intercede for the crew as best he can on the condition that none of the officers are harmed As the Defiant reaches the fleet at Rochefort they receive word that the main British fleet has already mutinied with the Admiralty agreeing to all of the sailors demands and granting an amnesty to those who took part The crew s jubilation at the news is cut short when a hot headed seaman Evans murders Scott Padget Realising that they are now all doomed to punishment as mutineers an enraged Vizard kills Evans Their only course now is to try to escape with the ship Just then the French fleet sallies out from port and a French fireship is sighted heading straight for the British flagship As the only ship under sail the Defiant has the unique opportunity to save the flagship Once again Crawford appeals to the crew s patriotism making no promises but convincing them to intercept the fireship Vizard is killed in the ensuing action living just long enough to hear a message from the British admiral thanking Defiant for their honourable actions The mutiny is over and HMS Defiant joins the fleet Cast EditAlec Guinness as Captain Crawford Dirk Bogarde as Lieutenant Scott Padget Anthony Quayle as Vizard Maurice Denham as Mr Goss Ship s Surgeon Nigel Stock as Senior Midshipman Kilpatrick Richard Carpenter as Lieutenant Ponsonby Peter Gill as Lieutenant D Arblay David Robinson as Midshipman Harvey Crawford Robin Stewart as Midshipman Pardoe Ray Brooks as Hayes Peter Greenspan as Johnson Tom Bell as Evans Murray Melvin as Percival Wagstaffe Victor Maddern as Bosun Dawlish Bryan Pringle as Marine Sergeant Kneebone Johnny Briggs as Wheatley Brian Phelan as Grimshaw Toke Townley as Silly Billy Declan Mulholland as Morrison Walter Fitzgerald as Admiral Jackson Joy Shelton as Mrs Crawford Anthony Oliver as Tavern Leader Russell Napier as Flag Captain Michael Coles as Flag Lieutenant Andre Maranne as Colonel Giraud James Bolam as Midshipman Assisting in OperationProduction EditThe film was known as The Patriot 1 5 Appearance in other media EditJohnny Burnette sang a tie in Damn the Defiant ballad Reception EditFilms and Filming said it was the ninth most popular movie in Britain for the year ended 31 October 1962 after The Guns of Navarone Dr No The Young Ones Only Two Can Play The Road to Hong Kong Spartacus The Comancheros and Blue Hawaii and in front of The Pirates of Blood River 6 Gilbert said commercially it did alright in English speaking countries 5 References Edit a b Nat Cohen s Many Deal with Yanks Variety 31 January 1962 p 4 IMDb Release dates for H M S Defiant Retrieved 16 April 2013 Tilsley Frank 1958 Mutiny Reynal The Times online archive 22 2 1962 page 2 a b Fowler Roy 1996 Lewis Gilbert Side 10 British Entertainment History Project British films are tops at box office Author Douglas Marlborough Date Monday Dec 10 1962 Publication Daily Mail p 3External links EditH M S Defiant at IMDb H M S Defiant at Rotten Tomatoes H M S Defiant at AllMovie H M S Defiant at the TCM Movie Database H M S Defiant at the American Film Institute Catalog Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title H M S Defiant amp oldid 1150995623, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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