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Billy Budd

H.M.S. Avenger is headed into battle against the French fleet during the Napoleonic Wars, and the dark shadow of two recent mutinies in the English fleet concern Captain Vere (Sir Peter Ustinov). He relies on his cruel and often sadistic Master-at-Arms John Claggert (Robert Ryan) to maintain what he believes to be tenuous order and discipline aboard the ship. When a new seaman, Billy Budd (Terence Stamp), is pressed into service from a passing merchantman, his innocent, happy-go-lucky attitude quickly endears him to his messmates as well as the ship's officers. However, his charismatic naivete seems to bother Claggert, whose perverse depravity makes him resent Billy's good-natured purity, especially after the teenager's promotion to fore-top Captain. The mean-spirited Claggert unfairly plots to put him on report and ultimately perjures himself when he accuses Billy of conspiring to mutiny.

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Cast & Crew See All

Terence Stamp
Billy Budd - Merchant Seaman, Rights of Man
Robert Ryan
John Claggart - Master of Arms
Peter Ustinov
Edwin Fairfax Vere - Post Captain Royal Navy

Featured Video

Billy Budd
Billy Budd
2:59

2:59 Billy Budd

Awards

  • 1963 - Oscar - Best Actor in a Supporting Role - nominated
  • 1963 - Golden Globe - Most Promising Newcomer - Male - winner
  • 1963 - BAFTA Film Award - Best British Film - nominated
  • 1963 - BAFTA Film Award - Best British Screenplay - nominated

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