Customer Reviews

Plymouth Adventure [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Plymouth Adventure" is just about the only Pilgrim movie I can think of (I'm not counting the various "Scarlet Letter"s and Salem Witch movies--those are about Puritans already settled in the New Land, not the Pilgrims just coming over). It's not really a bad movie, but it's not really a good one either. Stellar cast: Spencer Tracy as Capt Jones, not really into the Pilgrims' scene, but just doing his job; Leo Genn as William Bradford, intent on leading his followers to religious freedom; Gene Tierney as his wife, devoted to her husband but feeling stirrings for Jones. Van Johnson's on board too as "Speak for Yourself John" Alden. Sad ending actually a slight twist on real life fate of one of the principals. Perhaps a good starting point for a history lesson with the children on Thanksgiving Day.

I enjoyed "Plymouth Adventure" very much although it is a flawed film. Something is missing. We learn very little about the persecution of the Pilgrims and their beliefs except that they pray "standing upwards" and are very clean. They even wash with the ship's limited drinking water which causes consternation among crew members. It was especially difficult for me to believe that the wife (Gene Tierney) of Pilgrim leader, William Bradford (Leo Genn) would prefer the ship's bloated, craggy, bitter, and alcoholic captain (Spencer Tracy) over her good-looking and articulate husband. The urbane and darkly handsome Leo Genn became well-known as a fine British film and stage actor with the "black velvet voice" and had already received critical acclaim for his excellent acting (and wit) in "Quo Vadis" (1951) and "Henry V" (1944). Bradford is portrayed as a responsible man who is indifferent to his wife and her beauty but not so oblivious to his wife's longing glances at the captain. I doubt that audiences of 1952 would be so critical; this film still holds up well and the special effects are good. It is interesting that Gene Tierney and Leo Genn would go on to star as a married couple in the British film "A Personal Affair" (1953). Final note: Why is this video so expensive?!!

This is a great movie! It has the drama of an important historical event, with shades of an illicite affair between the captian of the Mayflower and the wife of a Pilgrim leader. However, it is all done with subtle glances. The storm scene is also very exciting. The signing of the Mayflower Compact is utterly dramatic! There are a few historical liberties, but over all, it is a good movie! In fact, it won Best Picture for 1952.

Fairly good dramatic account of the voyage itself. Attention to physical detail on board the ship and the rigors of life under sail. Costumes are accurate. The tensions between the pilgrams and the ship's company is handled with considerable creative license. The story ends with the Mayflower's return to England and there is no account of how the passengers fared in the New World (half of them died the next year). A reasonably good account of the trip itself, which was miserable, wet and cold.

With all respect to the other reviewer, this movie did not win the Oscar for Best Picture of 1952. (I believe it was "The Greatest Show on Earth"). Unfortunately "Plymouth Adventure" is one of those movies that has a talented cast which just can't overcome a mediocre script. Spencer Tracy and Van Johnson's half-hearted attempts at English accents are laughable at times. But, on the positive side, any movie with Gene Tierney in it is bound to be nice to look at (though being a Puritan her attire is appropriately modest). And the Mayflower itself looks good. But the film really has no depth. It's a shame the actors, particularly Tracy, weren't better served.

The Plymouth Adventure is the story of the Mayflower and of a group of brave men and women sailing to a New World to practice their religion, to make money, and to get away from their lives in Europe. They are led by a strict and unsympathetic captain (Spencer Tracy) who does all he can to ensure their survival on the journey.

A historical adventure with moments of excitement, this movie never quite gets going. We are expected to like Van Johnson, a youthful carpenter who joins the Mayflower just before it sails, and a beautiful wife (Gene Tierney) of one of the leaders of the passengers who is eyed by every sailor on board.

This is an MGM film, and what would such a film be without a love story? It is really just thrown in as an afterthought, but the relationship between Tracy and Tierney is too little too late to spice up the story. The men are the ones who get a chance to really act; Tierney has little to do but look beautiful.

The picture quality is not great; this film could really use a proper restoration.

We watched this film in American History in my 8th grade class. It took me about 10 plus years before I ever saw it again. While it might not be the best movie historically speaking, as a film it is beautifully made. It has the look of the great " epics" from Hollywood's Golden Age. Shot in Technicolor, the costumes and setting are well done. During this point in his life, no doubt Spencer Tracy still thought of himself as a " leading man" even though he was getting older and the effects of alcoholism were showing. I do agree with others on here, it is a shame there are not more movies made about the pilgrims coming to America ( accurate or not ). I'm glad this is finally on dvd. For years it was only available on vhs or once in a blue moon it would be shown on tv.

We completely enjoyed this movie. It makes one appreciate what the early settlers went through to begin this great nation. I hope we never forget the hand of the Lord in guiding our forefathers & those who suffered in behalf of freedom to worship as they may, & have private ownership in our lives today.

This movie received an Oscar in 1952 for Best Effects / Special Effects. Well worth it. The story centers on the group of brave men and women who travelled westward for a new life. We all know that story. But what is interesting, and albeit i am sure some liberty was taken, was the conditions in the hold of the ship for these passengers, and the unique use of the printing press. I love the old movies and this one was the first I had seen of it, and for history and genealogy buffs, an interesting film to watch.

A film that transports the spectator to an other era. Excelent costumes, ships, realistically dirty and threadbare crew. With an ecxelent interpetation by Spencer Tracy ( the captain ), an ecxelent interpretation by Gene Tierney ( a beautiful passenger )and Introducing a very beautiful ingenui ( Dawn Addams ). Its weak spot is in my opinion the lack of action. It is alleged by its title to be an adventure after all. The fact that the mere hint of an illicit love-affaire between Tracy and Tierney ends so tragically and the prudish moral message ,that the film delivers, are frustrating even by the standards of the early '50's.