Captains Courageous (1996) Reviews

• I wanted the story to go on and on...

  Enrique-Sanchez-562003-11-05

  How many times does one see a TV movie that you don't want to end? The story is timeless and it has been told several times on the screen. We cannot forget Tracy, Bartholomew and Rooney in that legendary version back in the 30's. One cannot erase the traces of this wonderful adventure from the memories wrought in our childhood. But here comes a version with Urich, Vadas and Eriksen that sweeps one away into a sea of emotions so deep, tender and satisfying that one can only conclude that there really are many ways to tell a wonderful tale such as this. The casting of the crew was very satisfying as was the marvelous envelopment of Sandra Nelson into her small but crucial role as the Captain's wife. Michael Anderson's direction and John McGreevey's script tore at your heart without ever feeling the tug. One was drawn into the pathos of the story without noticing it. The production was faithful to the heart and meat of the telling. This version will linger on with me for a long time. Kudos to all and thanks especially to Mr. Kenny Vadas. I hope to see him again. Completely recommended without reservation.

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• I thoroughly enjoyed this movie

  ShazInCA2003-11-06

  and not just for the joy of seeing the retired ship "Rotterdam" playing herself, as I once sailed on it, too, but also for the enjoyment of a good story well told. I did find myself wondering throughout this movie how it is viewed by the people who want to tell children only non-scary fairy tales and such. This is a real grabber of a story of a boy facing scary situations and sadness, things that some people don't seem to want to have children face these days, even in books and movies. Anyway, great story, great movie, and very enjoyable way to spend 2 hours.

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• Best version of this classic story by Kipling

  Antonio-371998-08-11

  This is the latest version of the movie based on Rudyard Kipling's classic novel of a boy's coming-of-age. First version was the 1937 movie starring curly haired and blonde Freddie Bartholomew as Harvey, the rich brat. Second version was in 1977 with Johnny Doran. And this third version stars curly haired and dark Kenny Vardas as the best of the pouty and sullen boys. Harvey is the son of a rich man, but much neglected and left to the care of hired help. On a transatlantic ship, he falls overboard thru a boyish prank gone bad. He is rescued by a fishing vessel, with a stern but kindly captain, his son and crew. Forced to work for his keep, the bratty Harvey, played to perfection by Kenny Vardas comes to appreciate the value of work. And to learn how to love and be loved by the kindly folk who took him in. Of all the three versions of this movie, this one best portrays the novel. It gives the real feeling of a boy going bad who is reformed through the power of love. And Vardas despite his youth plays both the insolent brat and loveable boy to perfection. A movie to see if you appreciate a good Kipling yarn, and they are good!

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• Excellent family movie

  rainbow4142001-12-12

  Thanks to the Hallmark tv channel for reshowing of this Kipling Classic. This version is by far the best. It is welldone and very entertaining. It has all the pathos needed to show a youngster finding himself. A very thought-provoking movie. Worth seeing more than once!

• Excellent period piece -- until they reach land

  BruceUllm2007-06-08

  We are clearly informed at the outset that the year is 1934. That works fine -- until we reach the quaint New England village, strewn with 1939 and newer cars. Our protagonist's limousine, for the record, is a 1939 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five. Nice car....five years from then! There were plenty of '40 and '41 GM makes lying around the church parking lot, too. I take pains to mention this because it's such an easy thing to prevent and it harms the emotional climax of the picture because you are constantly reminded that it's just a movie with chronological errors. Absent the anachronisms, an excellent picture.

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