Monday, March 20, 2006

Captains Courageous


Since I started collecting DVDs 5 or 6 years ago I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Captains Courageous. At long last it was released on DVD at the end of January. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to get it. Ironically, after waiting so long to get it, it was not until last night that I finally watched the movie. It never fails to bring a tear to my eyes. Captains Courageous is a story based on Kipling's book and represents one of the few instances where the movie is better than the book. Made in 1937, in the wake of Mutiny on the Bounty (which was not very good), Captains Courageous gives us a good look at how story telling, character development, and fine acting are more important to keeping the interest of the audience than special effects (which were not bad). The film skillfully uses lighting to set the mood of the scenes and the camera movements gives us a realistic feel of life at sea. Spencer Tracy, playing a Portuguese fisherman, delivers his best performance ever for which he won an academy award. Feddie Bartholomew, playing the lead, takes us on an adventure that is sometime fun and sometimes heartbreaking. Captains Courageous has just the right balance of humor and seriousness unlike many pictures of the period. In addition to being nominated for best actor, the movie was nominated for best picture, best screenplay, and best editing. A truly remarkable movie that is without a doubt one of my favorite movies of all time.

1 Comments:

Blogger Jordan said...

Thanks for the review Seth. I haven't seen this movie but am excited to now because of your review. It's great to have you on the blog. How's AZ?

4:47 AM  

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