The Bounty (1984 film) third film, released in 1962, starred Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard and Richard Harris. The most recent film, starring Mel Gibson, is generally regarded as more revisionist as well as a more historically accurate depiction of the mutiny than the two earlier film versions. According to director Donaldson, "The major difference between our film and the other versions is that none of the others pointed out that Bligh and Christian were friends. They'd made voyages together before they sailed on the "Bounty". And while they were on the "Bounty", Bligh demoted another officer and promoted Christian, who was at that stage
Mutiny on the Bounty (1962 film) Bounty took nine months to make rather than the scheduled six and arrived after filming had started. In January 1961, after three months of filming, Reed flew back from location with, reportedly, an "undisclosed ailment". In actual fact he had quit over differences in the direction of the story. He was replaced by Lewis Milestone, who later estimated only five minutes of the final film was Reed's. "Reed was used to making his own pictures," said Milestone. "He was not used to producer, studio and star interference. But those of us who have been around Hollywood are like alley cats.