The Bounty (1984)

Laurence Olivier: Admiral Hood

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Quotes 

• [last lines] 

  Admiral Hood : This court finds that the seizure of His Majesty's Armed Vessel Bounty was an act of mutiny by Fletcher Christian and others of her crew, and that her captain Lieutenant William Bligh is, in the opinion of this court, to be exonerated of all blame on this occasion. Indeed in the matter of his command of the Bounty's open launch we commend Lieutenant Bligh for his courage and exemplary seamanship. Will you please come forward, Lieutenant?

  [hands Bligh his saber] 

  Lt. William Bligh : [Bligh sheathes his saber]  My lord, thank you.

• Captain Greetham : [after learning at the trial that Bligh told King Tynah that Captain Cook is still alive]  You told that to this man Tynah?

  Lt. William Bligh : King Tynah, sir.

  Admiral Hood : A savage king.

  Lt. William Bligh : A king, milord, descended from many kings.

  Admiral Hood : As our King George is descended from many kings?

  Lt. William Bligh : Yes, in a way, sir.

  Captain Greetham : Then why did you lie to him? Why did you not tell him Captain Cook was murdered in Hawaii ten years before?

  Lt. William Bligh : Because they believe that Captain Cook is immortal.

  Admiral Hood : Literally?

  Lt. William Bligh : Yes, I think so, sir. They seem to regard his likeness as a sacred image.

  Admiral Hood : Interesting.

  Lt. William Bligh : They also believe that every British officer is more or less related to him.

  Admiral Hood : So you were more or less immortal too.

  Lt. William Bligh : It would appear so, sir. And I also needed their assistance. Captain Cook was our guarantor.

• Captain Greetham : [at the trial]  So, it did began at the ceremony?

  Lt. William Bligh : No, sir. Not at the ceremony. No, it was just Fletcher Christian and the native girl.

  Captain Greetham : And you didn't understand the depth of the emotion between them?

  Lt. William Bligh : Yes, I realize that now. No, I assumed it was just youthful passion.

  Admiral Hood : It takes more than an infatuated youth to make a mutiny. It takes a discontented crew.

  Lt. William Bligh : The crew were anything but discontent, sir. Fletcher Christian corrupted them.

  Captain Greetham : Yes, but what made them so easy to corrupt?

  Lt. William Bligh : I don't know. It was the place itself.

• Admiral Hood : Surrender your sword and be seated.