| This post is my contribution to The Great Villain Blogathon hosted by Silver Screenings, Shadows and Satin, and Speakeasy. Click here for a list of all the participating blogs in the blogathon. |
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| Terrence Stamp as Billy Budd |
Kristina's entry yesterday in The Great Villain Blogathon focused on the terrifying Zod, portrayed by Terence Stamp in Superman II (1980). When I was kid, I was quite frightened by him. Over the years I saw more of Mr Stamp's films, including his impressive film debut in Billy Budd (1962).
Based on a story by Herman Melville (Moby Dick) Billy Budd takes place aboard a British war ship during the Napoleonic era. One of the new sailors aboard the ship is Billy Budd -- Stamp plays him, and trust me, there is not a hint of Zod to be found in him. Budd is the polar opposite of Zod: friendly, noble, and honest. Stamp is so convincing in his portrayal of the character that he was nominated for an Oscar. [1]
At the core of the story is an allegory tale depicting two natures of the human soul: the good in Budd, and the evil personified by John Claggart, the captain's first-mate in charge of the ship's discipline. So cruel is Claggart, he has men whipped for the slightest reason. In another universe, Claggart and Zod would get along very well.
In portraying Claggart, American film noir icon Robert Ryan (Crossfire, Born to Be Bad, Caught) delivers another stellar performance. Which brings us to the focus of today's post.
"I am what the world has made me"
While reading some other reviews of this film, I discovered universal acclaim for Ryan's performance, and I am in wholehearted agreement:
- Pauline Kael wrote: "Robert Ryan gives a fine performance in the difficult role of Claggart...he makes evil comprehensible." [2]
- From the blog Classic Film Freak: "He completely personifies the evil and mean spirited Claggart -- in retrospect it is as close to a perfect performance as I’ve seen from Ryan." [3]
- From the blog Captain Critic: "The way he pounds his baton against his leg with every stroke of the floggger's whip, his lips quavering with hunger as he counts the strokes, is one of the most revolting depictions of sadism I've ever seen on film." [4]
At times Ryan is filmed from the waist down or from behind, towering over others.
And - in an interesting twist - Ryan does not attempt speak his lines with a British accent. Some might see this as flaw. But I think it makes the character seem even more arrogant and sinister. It adds to the mystery of his tormented soul, as if he was exiled from a foreign land at some point in his life.
One night, the simplehearted Budd - unable to fathom how a man could be so cruel - tries to get the inhumane Claggart to open up.
Claggart: Is it ignorance or irony that makes you speak so simply?
Budd: It must be ignorance, sir, because I don't understand the other word.
I love how Classic Film Freak describes Ryan in this scene: "You can visibly see his emotions change just by looking at his eyes. You can tell that Claggart would like to be amiable, perhaps even have a friend aboard. He envies Budd in this regard. His eyes soften momentarily with eagerness, but then their usual hard stare return as Claggart rebuffs Budd. Masterful casting." [5]
Claggart goes on to say, "The surface of the sea is calm, but beneath it every creature is a killer."
A series of events then take place, but I will not give anything away if you haven't seen the film or are unfamiliar with the story.
The less you know, the much more exciting the experience will be.
The film's supporting cast includes a number of recognizable actors including John Neville, Paul
Rogers, Robert Brown (James Bond's "M"), Ray McAnally, and David McCallum who
plays one of the officers aboard the ship. Melvin Douglas (soon to win an Oscar for 1963's
Hud) has a small but important role as an old Danish sailor who serves as a mentor to Billy.Directed by the brilliant Peter Ustinov, who also plays the ship's conflicted captain ("You only have two duties: to fight and to obey", he declares at one point). I love that the film was photographed in black-and-white over color, which I don't think would have been as effective. And the way the camera sways every so subtly makes you feel like you are on the ship with the others.
I highly recommend this film as a "must see".
Available on DVD (with commentary by Terence Stamp).
Trivia
By the time the film went into production, the story had been adapted for the stage and for television.
According to a 1997 biography by Franklin Jarlett, Robert Ryan lobbied for a role in this picture. [6]
According to Rob K from the blog The Luna Park Gazette, in the 1953 television production, William Shatner played the role of Billy Budd [7]
References
1. Best Actor (blog). Best Supporting Actor 1962: Terence Stamp in Billy Budd (Published Oct 2011)
2. The Age of Movies: Selected Writings of Pauline Kael, Pauline Kael. (Library of America, 2011)
3, 5. Classic Film Freak (blog). Billy Budd (1962) (Published Aug 2012)
4. Captain Critic (blog). Reeling Backward: Billy Budd (1962) (Published Oct 2012)
6. Robert Ryan: A Biography and Critical Filmography, Franklin Jarlett (McFarland & Co., 1997)
7. The Luna Park Gazette (blog) This Budd's For You (Published June 2011)
Click here for a list of all the participating blogs in the blogathon.