After being discredited as a coward, a 19th century seaman (Peter O'Toole) lives for only one purpose: to redeem himself. Based on Joseph Conrad's novel written in 1900.
Brooks' adaptation of Conrad's novel is immeasurably better than its reputation.
– ,
Time Out,
9 Feb 2006
rotten:
Joseph Conrad's elaborately structured fiction poses monstrous problems for film adaptation, and the solution proposed here by Richard Brooks -- plodding literal-mindedness -- doesn't come close to working.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
1 Jan 2000
rotten:
Something bewildering has happened in Richard Brooks's making of it, and it misses at being either Conrad or sheer entertainment cinema.
– Bosley Crowther,
New York Times,
9 May 2005
rotten:
Brooks, while capturing the spirit of adventure of the novel, only superficially catches the inner emotional and spiritual conflict of its hero.