8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A boring sea adventure., November 25, 2001
This review is from: Botany Bay [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Based on a novel by the team of Nordhoff and Hall, this dreary film was an obvious attempt to duplicate the success of MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY, also based on a novel by the same duo. Since, like its predecessor, it involves a long sea voyage with a sadistic captain, it can't miss, right? Unfortunately, the resulting film is very dull and is only partly redeemed by good performances, but even James Mason cannot quite save it.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sturdy seafaring yarn, November 22, 2007
This review is from: Botany Bay [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Botany Bay is based on a novel by Nordoff and Hall ,the writers responsible for that oft filmed tale The Mutiny on the Bounty .The movie in some rspects is a scaled down version of that tale with some of the same ingredients -long sea voyage ,tyrannical captain and exotic locations .What it lacks is the mythical dimension that gives the Bounty movies their extra interest
Alan Ladd plays Hugh Tallant ,a medical student in England,who is unjustly convicted and sentenced to transportation to the new penal colony in New South Wales,Australia.On the voyage he clashes with the sadistic skipper Captain Paul Gilbert(James Mason)both over Gilbert's martinet authoritarianism and disciplinary style but also over a woman ,Sally Munro(Patricia Medina)to whom both are attracted
The voyage to Botany Bay is eventful-floggings and canoodling ,not to mention an outbreak of plague all add to the interest .Nor are things much betetr when they eventually get there as the Aborigines harry the settlement at every opportunity
Ladd and Medina are Okay -nothing more .Cedric Hardwicke is fine as the governor but James Mason takes the acting honours .Mason shot to stardom in the UK in the 1940's playing sadistic types in movies like The Seventh veil and The Wicked Lady and the role here is a reprise of such parts .He did them very well and he dominates all his scenes
The action is brisk ,the colour is beguiling to the eye and if you want a lean slice of sea going action this will do nicely .It just lacks that little extra to be a minor classic of its kind
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uk Buyer, December 28, 2009
This review is from: Botany Bay [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Arrived in good time, in condition as stated, many thanks. Why have they never realeased this on DVD?
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
