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The first of two docudramas by Charles Chauvel (the other is Heritage), In the Wake of the Bounty retells the story of the mutiny led by Fletcher Christian in 1789 against William Bligh, depicting the fate of the mutineers on Tahiti and Pitcairnis. Presented as part narrative and part travelogue, the film uses introductory enacted scenes showing the mutiny, followed by documentary footage, anthropological style, of the mutineers' descendants on Pitcairn Island (including Polynesian women dancers) and an underwater shipwreck.
Notes
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The film is notable for being the screen debut of Errol Flynn (as Fletcher Christian). Interestingly, Flynn was a descendant of Christian.
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The Commonwealth Censor (Mr Creswell O'Reilly) objected to several scenes, including the bare breasts and depiction of floggings, and request that the scenes be cut (Argus 11 February 1933, p.25). Chauvel, who stated that the dancing scenes had been supervised by a Methodist clergyman, was successful in his appeal, although a compromise of sorts was agreed upon (Sydney Morning Herald 1 March 1933, p.8).
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In 1935 M.G.M. bought American rights to the film and re-edited it to form two short travelogues, 'Pitcairn Island Today' (1935) and 'Primitive Pitcairn' (1936).
[Source: Pike and Cooper, p.161]
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Further Reference:
- Pike, Andrew, and Ross Cooper. Australian Film, 1900-1977 : A Guide to Feature Film Production. (1998), p.161.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Related Works
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y
In the Wake of the Bounty : To Tahiti and Pitcairn Island
Sydney
:
Endeavour Press
,
1933
Z805888
1933
single work
A documentary-style book by Chauvel published to coincide with the release of his film, In the Wake of the Bounty.
Works about this Work
-
form
y
Flynn
( dir. Frank Howson
)
Australia
United States of America (USA)
:
Boulevard Films
Century Park Pictures
,
1992
7369952
1992
single work
film/TV
'The story of Errol Flynn's early years, depicting his childhood in Tasmania and his wild teenage years in New Guinea. Before he was 21, he stood trial for murder. He was a thief, a liar, a gigolo, a gambler, a sailor, a streetfighter, a soldier of fortune. He was Errol Flynn.'
Source: Screen Australia.
-
Counting the Cash in Australian Films
1934
single work
column
— Appears in: Everyone's , 12 December 1934; (p. 19) -
Australian Film : 'In the Wake of the Bounty'
1933
single work
column
— Appears in: The Argus , 11 February 1933; (p. 25) -
New Films
1933
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20 March no. 29706 1933; (p. 5)
— Review of In the Wake of the Bounty 1933 single work film/TV -
Expeditionary Films Ltd : 'Bounty' Picture Launched
1933
single work
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 15 March no. 29702 (p. 8)
-
New Films
1933
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20 March no. 29706 1933; (p. 5)
— Review of In the Wake of the Bounty 1933 single work film/TV -
Expeditionary Films Ltd : 'Bounty' Picture Launched
1933
single work
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 15 March no. 29702 (p. 8) -
Mutiny of the Bounty : Reconstructed for Films
1932
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 29 August no. 29532 1932; (p. 8) -
Counting the Cash in Australian Films
1934
single work
column
— Appears in: Everyone's , 12 December 1934; (p. 19) -
Australian Film : 'In the Wake of the Bounty'
1933
single work
column
— Appears in: The Argus , 11 February 1933; (p. 25) -
form
y
Flynn
( dir. Frank Howson
)
Australia
United States of America (USA)
:
Boulevard Films
Century Park Pictures
,
1992
7369952
1992
single work
film/TV
'The story of Errol Flynn's early years, depicting his childhood in Tasmania and his wild teenage years in New Guinea. Before he was 21, he stood trial for murder. He was a thief, a liar, a gigolo, a gambler, a sailor, a streetfighter, a soldier of fortune. He was Errol Flynn.'
Source: Screen Australia.
