Mutiny of the Bounty

Mutiny of the Bounty is a 1916 Australian-New Zealand silent film directed by Raymond Longford about the mutiny aboard HMS Bounty. It is the first known cinematic dramatisation of this story and is considered a lost film. 

The story is told in five parts. The mutiny on HMS Bounty in 1780, Captain Bligh's journey back to England, the recapture of the mutineers on the island of Tahiti, and the story of the remaining mutineers on Pitcairn Island.

The cast included notable Australian actors George Cross, Charles Villiers and Lottie Lyell. Maori actors played the Tahitians who greeted the crew. Despite the mood of thrilling adventure, great care was taken with historical accuracy with a fairly balanced portrayal of Captain Bligh and close research of contemporary records, including Bligh’s logbook. 

Filming took place in Rotorua, Norfolk Island and Sydney. At the time this was described as ‘probably the most costly production yet made in Australia’. A review from the Perth Sunday Times in 1917 declared ‘that no patriotic Australian should miss the great Australian-made production …its thrilling story, glorious tinted scenes and fine action from the hero down to the natives.’