Mutiny on the Bounty

John Mills: There's no chance for people like us to go back to England, give Bligh a bad name and walk free men ourselves. And anyone who thinks otherwise hasn't got the sense that God gave geese. Court-martial Judge: The court considers it has obligation to add comment to its verdict. By the force of evidentiary conclusions you, Captain William Bligh, stand absolved of military misdeed. Yet, officers of stainless record and seamen voluntarily all were moved to mutiny against you. Your methods, so far as this court can discern, show what we shall cautiously term an excess of zeal. We cannot condemn zeal. We cannot rebuke an officer who has administered discipline according to the articles of war but the articles are fallible, as any articles are bound to be. No code can cover all contingencies. We cannot put justice aboard our ships in books. Justice and decency are carried in the heart of the captain, or they be not aboard. It is for this reason that the Admiralty has always sought to

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Fletcher Christian: I was just thinking, sir, that our little errand for groceries might wind up in a page of naval history if we succeed in negotiating The Horn in the dead of winter. Captain Bligh: Why shouldn't we succeed? Admiral Anderson did. Fletcher Christian: Yes, but of course he didn't choose to attempt it in a ninety-one-foot chamber pot. In any event, his was the only ship to do it and I believe he lost fifty percent of his crew.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Captain Bligh: I wonder why an alleged gentleman should give his first loyalty to ordinary seamen. Fletcher Christian: Instead of to other alleged gentlemen? Captain Bligh: Impertinence noted. It shall be logged. Do you care to enlarge the entry? Fletcher Christian: Yes, only with this observation, which I will report to the Admiralty in any case: in my years of service I have never met an officer who inflicted punishment upon men with such incredible relish. Sickening. Captain Bligh: Then go and be sick in your cabin, Mr Christian. I have never met a naval officer who was so proud of a weak stomach.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Captain Bligh: In a civilised society, certain lewd intentions towards the female members of one's family would be regarded as a, well, as an insult. Do you follow me? Fletcher Christian: I think so, sir. Captain Bligh: But in Tahiti, the insult lies in the omission of those lewd intentions. Manners that would offend a dock-side harlot seem to be the only acceptable behaviour to King Hitihiti.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Captain Bligh: Mr Christian! Kindly give me an explanation.. Fletcher Christian: Williams is been drinking sea water sir.. I was giving him some fresh water..I'm afraid he'll die without it. Captain Bligh: You'll give no one water without my permission Mr. Christian! Take that ladle below! Fletcher Christian: Aye-aye sir.. Fletcher Christian: You bloody Bastard...You'll not put your foot on me again!

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Fletcher Christian: There'll be no more killing aboard this ship, not even Captain Bligh. Captain Bligh: If that's an attempt to earn clemency, I spit on it. Fletcher Christian: You remarkable pig. You can thank whatever pig god you pray to that you haven't turned me into a murderer.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962 film), CC BY-SA 4.0