Admiral Hood(Sir Laurence Olivier) : 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] Bligh( Sir Anthony Hopkins) : [Bligh sheathes his saber] My lord, thank you.
Hopkins turned that scene almost into a religious experience. His tearful reaction, and the rising soundtrack. It felt like a genuine cleansing of whatever misdeeds the audience held over him. I felt it