Captains Courageous: Amazon.ca: Spencer Tracy, Freddie Bartholomew, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas, Charley Grapewin, Mickey Rooney, John Carradine, Oscar O'Shea, Jack La Rue, Walter Kingsford, Donald Briggs, Sam McDaniel, Joseph Sherman, Rudolf Ising, Victor Fleming, Dale Van Every, Jean Plannette, John Lee Mahin, Marc Connelly, Rudyard Kipling: DVD

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The award-winning l937 version of Kipling's classic Captains Courageous finds spoiled-rotten brat Harvey Cheyne (Freddie Bartholomew) well on the way to becoming a horrible adult, under the illusion that money can buy all happiness. The little monster falls off a cruise ship, and is fished out of the drink by Portuguese fisherman Manuel (Spencer Tracy) and brought back to his fishing boat. Though the overprivileged lad initially chafes at being put to work aboard the smelly vessel, he eventually learns the value of a day's work and learns lessons in life that make him a functional person and bring him several steps closer to manhood. Despite Tracy's indeterminate accent, he excels in his role as the boy's friend, and enthusiastic performances from the rest of the cast bring this coming-of-age tale to life. It's a film that has lost none of its sentimental appeal (or occasional hamminess) over the years and should have an all-ages appeal to fans of Hollywood classics. --Jerry Renshaw

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16 Reviews

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4.9 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An oldie but a goodie, Nov 21 2009

By

Maurice A. Rhodes (BC Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Captains Courageous (DVD)

This was the third movie I ever saw as a child. The first was Mutiny on the Bounty, the second was Wanderers in the Wasteland, and Captain's was the third, all in 1938 or so. The fourth was Snow White. Speaking of Captain's, they don't make them like that anymore - no unbelieveable computer simulations and real acting. Of course, movie making has come a lomg way since then in many ways, not all satisfactory. A current view might be that Captain's is kinda corny, but I don't think so. It deals with verities that Hollywood has forgotten. Performances by Spencer Tracy in his youth as a stalwart, simple doryman who helps the snotty little rich kid, Freddy Bartholomew find truth and the path to manhood. Also first-rate is Lionel Barrymore; strange not to see him in a wheelchair in this powerful role. Also ran, David Carradine as the cynica fauly finder and Mickey Rooney in what must have been one of his earliest . Melvyn Douglas is a convincing busy, rich daddy who prices himself out of his son'life until it is almost too late. But first, isn't Freddy just too lucky to have fallen from his daddy's liner almost into Spencer's tiny dory?

What is most powerful in the lack of special effects is the thrilling actual footage of real Gloucestermen racing home under all canvas in a whole gale. But where is the Bluenose? Another film which virtually ignores their majority role in the Grand Banks fishery!

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5.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous tribute to fathers, sons, and friends., Jun 21 2004

By

Chris Aldridge (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captains Courageous (VHS Tape)

Thank God this is in TCM's library; it was just aired this past Father's Day weekend, and I watched it for the first time in twenty years. It still resonates as a father/son film, a buddy film, a coming-of-age film, and an adventure story. Even the film's moment of transition (roughly 24 minutes in) seems to be paying homage to 'other world' adventures like THE WIZARD OF OZ and ALICE IN WONDERLAND- except that Alice is a bratty little boy this time- easily the brattiest kid you'll ever meet in Freddie Bartholomew. Once Bartholomew begins his adventure with fisherman Spencer Tracy so does an amazing battle of wits, dialogue, great script, most of all, awesome performances. (Who would've thought the macho Victor Fleming would direct a story with such sensitivity and warmth amidst not only the leads but supporting castmembers Melvyn Douglas, Lionel Barrymore, and the up-and-coming Mickey Rooney?) Even though Tracy capped (and deserved) the Oscar, 12-year-old Bartholomew is a revelation as he learns about humility, honor, friendship, and growing up throughout the entire film. (A bewitching sequence shows Bartholomew play a prank which backfires on him and nearly costs him his friendship with Tracy.) The film could be accused of datedness, but it is a testimony to the basic Kipling story that it has been filmed three times, twice for television. (Can a Broadway musical be far off?) Full of wonderful black-and-white cinematography and ocean-fog special effects, it needs to come to DVD immediately. And I guarantee you'll cry like a baby with a smile on your face.

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5.0 out of 5 stars I Urge You To See This Film!, Dec 2 2001

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djonn "djonn" (Toronto, On) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Captains Courageous (VHS Tape)

This is a marvelous movie about a spoiled, insecure child who brags, manipulates, and uses his wealth & positon to feel strong & good about himself (sound like anyone you know?). After being suspended from school for his antics he is dragged to Europe to accompany his father on a business trip. En route, he accidentenly falls overboard from the oceanliner (that's how they travelled in those days) and is rescued by a fisherman. He learns his lesson, matures and acquires integrity through his association with the crew of fisherman & in particular Spencer Tracy's character.
This fine cast consists of legends who give wonderful performances: John Carradine, Lionel Barrymore, Mickey Rooney, Melvyn Douglas and of course, Spencer Tracy.
The film also gives you a rare glimpse into a way of life past. Today we have huge fishing ships that net miles of fish and have the canneneries right on board. Without it being intentional, the movie shows you what life was like when people still cared about the work they did and had pride in the honest work they had accomplished (rather than life being a succession of "jobs").
You may show this movie to your children without fear;not only is there nothing unseemly in it, it has a valuable lesson to teach us all. And it is of much better quality than any of the so-called "family films" that have been produced in the last two decades.
HOLLYWOOD TAKE NOTE: you don't need punchy soundtracks, death defying stunts and high tech wizardry to make a good movie - - just an honest story, a good script and a fine cast. This movie proves that. It was made 70 yrs ago and we're still buying it.
My only complaint with this film is that it's not availabe on DVD.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an old story that is never told better.
A rich brat (Freddy Bartholomew) is dysfunctional due to his environment. There is always Shirley Temple type stories of some kid being orphaned and mistreated. Read more

Published on Oct 31 2001 by bernie

5.0 out of 5 stars Spoiled Brat Civilizes By Example of Hero
Spencer Tracy won his first of 2 consecutive Best Actor Oscars for his portayal of a seaman who befriends a "spoiled rich kid" (child star Freddie Bartholomew). Read more

Published on Mar 17 2001 by Michael Mathena