Billy Budd

This film shows very well the difference between law and justice. Great performances by Stamp, Ustinov and Ryan.

Powerful and moving drama about the tug of war between men's souls. Gorgeously shot. Stamp, who is not often considered the lightest and happiest of people, does a great job in the titular role, with Robert Ryan doing a great job in humanizing his bitter husk of a man. Ustinov is perfect as the fulcrum of these two men, trapped between what is right and what is just. The moral complications still resonate today. Superb.

About the only good Melville adaptation on film.

Superb adaptation of Melville's morality tale is a triumph for all concerned -- but especially for Ustinov who scores equally as director, producer, co-writer and co-star. Ryan is the stand-out of a top flight cast as the unforgettably venal Claggart, and the stark, B&W widescreen photography only underlines some of the chilling implications of the story; it is interesting to contrast this approach with the not dissimilar MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY released the same year as a blockbuster extravaganza!

Robert Ryan, extremely intimidating here and with a twinkle in his eye that makes his character even more menacing, owns every scene he's in. His face is so expressive that he barely need to speak. The scene on deck at night with a fresh-faced Stamp (in his debut) was a highlight.