Despite directing big blockbuster-films like Dante’s Peak (1997) and Species (1995), Roger Donaldson’s name on the marquee never had quite the same impact as that of, say, Tony Scott or Michael Mann.
Although a contemporary of Scott and Mann – and certainly as visually gifted – Donaldson has always managed to more or less fly under the Hollywood radar. Perhaps this modesty is part of his Australian heritage, but I for one would like to loudly voice my appreciation for this journeyman director.
I love the previously mentioned DP and Species obviously, but it’s Donaldson’s less bombastic work that truly floats my boat. Thirteen Days (2000), The World’s Fastest Indian (2005) and The Bank Job (2008) are flawless features with deeply engaging subject matter, and are precisely the type of mid-budget movies that neither streamers nor studios can fit into a business model anymore.
TWFI reunited Donaldson with Anthony Hopkins, with whom he had made the Historical Drama The Bounty (1984) more than 20 years prior. I recently revisited Donaldson’s version of the classic mutiny tale, and had forgotten what an absolute all-star cast the director invited aboard his ship.
Hopkins leads, but he is surrounded by the likes of Mel Gibson, Liam Neeson, Daniel Day-Lewis and Sir Laurence Olivier. Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll even spot a very young Dexter Fletcher, future staple of British Crime Thrillers and director of hit biopics Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) and Rocketman (2019).
A lovely added bonus when watching TB is the quintessential Vangelis score. The Greek God of Synthesizers was on a hot streak during the early Eighties – the music for Chariots of Fire (1981), Missing (1982) and Blade Runner (1982) was composed within a timeframe of just two years – and The Bounty is no exception.
One can’t help but wonder if the Vangelis-Donaldson collaboration inspired Ridley Scott to reteam with Vangelis for 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992) several years later – his music sure fits maritime movies like a glove.
Come to think of it – The Bounty would make for a delicious double presentation with Scott’s Columbus pic. Hell, we could even make it a mutiny-themed triple bill and throw in Tony Scott’s Crimson Tide (1995) for good measure.
God, I love The Movies…
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Twitter (X): Robin Logjes | The Screen Addict