Billy Budd with Robert Ryan: DVD Cover
  • Cover Image

Billy Budd Director: Peter Ustinov Cast: Robert Ryan, Peter Ustinov, Melvyn Douglas, Terence Stamp

DVD - Wide Screen / Black & White Learn more

BUY THIS ITEM

  • $19.99 Online price
    $17.99 Member price
    Join Now
    • skip to cart
  • Add To List uiAction=GetAllLists&page=List&pageType=list&ean=085391108016&productCode=DV&maxCount=100&threshold=3

GET FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OF $25 OR MORE

DELIVERY & GIFT DETAILS:

Usually ships within 24 hours

Delivery Time and Shipping Rates

Eligible for gift wrap & gift message.

Enter a zip code

  • DVD Release Date: 03/06/2007
  • Original Release: 1962
  • Rating: Not Rated
  • Sales Rank: 28,361

Viewer Rating: (1 ratings)

See All Detailed Ratings

 
  • Overview
  • Editorial Reviews
  • Scenes
  • Customer Reviews
  • Cast & Crew
  • Full Product Details

Features

Commentary by Terence Stamp and filmmaker Steven Soderbergh; Theatrical trailer; Subtitles: English (feature film only)

Full Product Details

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- Billy Budd
1. Credits [3:00]
2. Avenger and Rights of Man [3:47]
3. Billy Conscripted [4:27]
4. The Flogging [6:46]
5. It's Wrong [5:11]
6. Test of Strength [4:13]
7. He Decides [4:48]
8. Keep Your Hate Alive [4:15]
9. Force of Order [2:59]
10. Man on Every Spar [2:31]
11. Jenkins Falls [4:01]
12. The Way It Happened [4:58]
13. Promotion [4:49]
14. I Am What I Am [2:45]
15. Ignorance or Irony [2:49]
16. Coward's Confession [6:28]
17. Knife Edge [7:31]
18. Claggart's Accusations [5:17]
19. Death Blow [4:12]
20. Dead Man's Crimes [2:29]
21. Court Martial [2:34]
22. Dansker Senses Finality [4:38]
23. Military Justice [3:52]
24. Save Him and Us All [4:57]
25. My Duty and Yours [3:54]
26. Witness Execution [2:14]
27. Stand Back in the Ranks [3:59]
28. God Bless Captain Vere [4:23]
29. Perishable Things [2:16]

Scene Index

Editorial Reviews

Herman Melville's short novel Billy Budd is adapted for the screen in this 1962 film, which is distinguished by Robert Krasker's expressive black-and-white cinematography and Peter Ustinov's crisp direction. Terence Stamp is Billy Budd, a seaman forced to serve in the British Navy during the war between England and France in 1797. Billy looks upon all men as inherently good and, although his crew mates are initially skeptical about this sailor who appears too good to be true, he proves his mettle by his skills as a sailor and gains the respect of the crew -- all except for the ship's reviled master-at-arms John Claggert (Robert Ryan), who attempts to poison Billy's reputation by accusing him of instigating a mutiny. When the ship's captain, Edward Vere (Peter Ustinov) questions Billy about the charges, Billy reacts by striking Claggert, who falls over and dies from a blow on the head. A court-martial is called and Vere has to determine whether Billy should be hanged or acquitted. Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

  • Viewer Rating:
  • Ratings: 1Reviews: 1

Billy Buddby Anonymous

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

February 17, 2007: It's a delight to see this DVD issue of a great film, one that brought Herman Melville's tale so wonderfully to the screen. Peter Ustinov directs and acts with assurance and sensitivity, the casting is impeccable, and the screenplay (credited to two writers whose other accomplishments aren't particularly remarkable) is outstanding. This film works on so many levels that it will benefit from repeated viewings--it's a Christian allegory, a profound morality play harking back to the most ancient themes of struggling good and evil, a subtle exploration of sexual and power relationships in a male world, a devastating critique of the limits of legal thought--and more. And, oh yes, it's also a ripping good yarn that's entertaining anyway, whether you look for all that other stuff or not.