The film features a youthful Richard Harris in the role of Mills, who gives an excellent performance of the petulant sailor. Moreover, the remake was more historically accurate than the original. Most of the production values, such as music, set design and costumes were superior in the remake. Between the Bligh portrayed by Charles Laughton and that depicted by Trevor Howard in the remake, Howard wins hands down for pure detestability. Just hearing that accent from the same lips that gave us, `I coulda been a contenda' was a kind of ironic comedy unto itself. Part of the problem probably stemmed from the fact that the accent he attempted to imitate was very upper crust and he delivered it with a certain sneering tone that made it seem like he was mocking the English. Though Brando's English accent is oft ridiculed, I have heard far worse. Gable's Christian seems far less ruffled by the events that transpire on the Bounty, whereas Brando accomplishes a believable transition from the cavalier rogue to an honorable hero who endures self-torment over the treasonous act. Gable is clearly more charming and dashing in the role, but Brando gives the more complete performance. Having seen both the 19 versions, I prefer the latter. Though I often disagree with the masses, in this case I concur. Over the years, the critics have continued to pillory the film, but the public generally receives it more favorably as time passes. Although Milestone usually prevailed in the fracases, this film turned out to be his last in a 37-year career. The result was a battle between the immovable object and the irresistible force, with daily emotional pyrotechnics that further delayed the film. Milestone was an utterly intractable director that Brando couldn't bully. After countless confrontations, director Carol Reed gave up and quit to be replaced by Lewis Milestone (`All Quiet on the Western Front'). The biggest problems were the result of Brando's constant temper tantrums as he tried to rewrite the entire film from the set. There were three deaths among the film's personnel and the film ran well over budget. The full-scale replica of the Bounty arrived on location two months after the film was scheduled to begin shooting. The film was beset by problems throughout production. The film was a box office loser and critics smugly declared they told us so. Brando was ridiculed as a lower class character actor who couldn't step up to the part, and derided for his dreadful attempt at an English accent. When the film opened, it never had a chance. It was almost sacrilegious to put Brando in any part Gable had played. Compared with Gable, who was universally loved and adored, Brando was a boor. Brando was a lightening rod for criticism because he was renowned as arrogant hothead. As the news leaked out about trouble in production, they whipped themselves into a self-righteous frenzy. When the news broke that MGM had the audacity to remake the hallowed 1935 classic `Mutiny on the Bounty' starring Clark Gable and Charles Laughton, the critics were aghast.
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