MovieChat Forums > Captains Courageous (1937) Discussion > re: Should be in the Top 250

re: Should be in the Top 250

posted 19 years ago by carl170
27 replies | jump to latest

This film should be in the top 250. Its a brilliant film in which it shows that which a little patience, love and care. People can be made to turn their ways. Spence Tracey deserved his oscar in this film. His best movie performance I think.

It is a film that will make you cry. It has the same emotional film that the Green Mile (1999)had in it.

You will find yourself dripping tears from your face at the end of this movie.

I think that they would be able to do a re-make of this. But who could replace Spencer Tracey??? Now that it is hard???

Please give me your thoughts on this movie....

I thought it was "Wicked"

Carl Brown - Ipswich, England

[–] pfcole 19 years ago

I love this movie. I first saw it as a kid back in the 60's on TV. I have since seen it many times. One of the great old films from that era. Spencer Tracey was the best. I also thought John Carridine was great too. It's true, they don't make'em like that any more. Should definitely be in the top 250.

Round up the usual suspects!

[–] pilarina85 19 years ago

It's a great film. And freddie bartolomew is perfect too for this film. It's one of my favorites movies too.

[–] mjperkins 19 years ago

There are certain films that remind you of certain people. This film reminds me of my grandfather, and watching it with him when I was young. Great memories.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] crittercat 19 years ago

Yep. One of my all-time favorite films. I've had it on videotape, laserdisc and, finally, DVD.

Come blog with me: http://blufftoninthedriftless.blogspot.com/

[–] scarecrow-14 19 years ago

There was a remake, in 1973 I think...with Sebastian Cabot perhaps? I recall it as being absolutely AWFUL! No...hang on...that was an abysmal remake of Miracle On 34th Street! It seems there've been two TV remakes of Captains, in 1977 and 1996...haven't seen 'em though.

I've loved this film since I was a kid in England...my dad put me in front of it because he was/is a big Spencer Tracy fan...thanks dad!

Kevin Rafferty - Melbourne Australia

[–] crittercat 19 years ago

I saw about 10 minutes of the one with Ricardo Montalban as Manuel and Karl Malden as Captain Troop. It held out its hawser to me but it didn't catch on and pull me into its heart.

Come blog with me: http://blufftoninthedriftless.blogspot.com/

[–] carl170 19 years ago

Now that it is officialy released on Dvd for all of us to buy more people will be able to witness this great film.

This film - Captain Courageous(1937), The Green Mile(1999), Shawshank Redemption(1984), Three Days of the Condor(1975), My Sweet Charlie(1970) and Wuthering Heights(1939) are classics, and give us an insight on how to live, and how to treat other people. Also some of these films tells us that not all you are shown to you is "Gospel truth"

If you haven't ever watched this film do so. It will take many of us back to "school" with regards to our outlook on life in general.

Watch this film, but take into consideration it was made in 1937.

Carl Brown
Ipswich, England

[–] Piafredux 19 years ago

Indeed, 'Captains Courageous' belongs in the Top 250. It's a touching, inspiring, splendid, film whose like is, I fear, never again to be conceived, let alone funded and made.

The footage of Gloucester schooners out on the Grand Banks is alone worth the price of admission - or of the DVD. The DVD, by the way, could have benefitted by inclusion of a commentary track by someone knowledgeable about and respectful of the film (too many DVD's of old films have commentary tracks by pompous, smarty-pants pomo know-it-alls who, when you think about, speak rather like the pre-fished out of the water Harvey in 'Captains Courageous.')

[–] ANEWMAN67 19 years ago

one of my favorite movies. i was litterally moved to tears. the funny thing is that i had no idea how good this movie before seeing it. spencer tracy in my top 3 of all time.

[–] ziegfeldgirl27 19 years ago

Spencer is the best actor of all time. No question! And I love little Freddie Bartholomew! An excellent child star. Have you saw him talk about Captains Courageous in MGM:When the Lion Roars?

[–] jackboot 18 years ago

This was one of my father's favorite movies and I had not seen it since I was a kid (suffice it to say that it's been a while). But it is one my favorites too.

I just watched it on DVD and it's terrific. Better than I remembered. The whole "We're Here" schooner crew is a strong ensemble, but yes, Spencer Tracy really carries the day.

Lionel Barrymore gave a wonderful performance as the avuncular Cap'n Disko.

I have to say that I was especially impressed by the real sailing footage - those boats were really being tossed about and put through their paces. This movie could not be made today with those scenes - the working schooner is long a thing of the past.

The kid certainly does a good job of being annoying, his transformation is welcome. The seaside mass is just heartbreaking, but I can't think of a more intensely emotional resolution. It's just beautiful.

Also, this is just a small detail, but the opening credits are the best I can ever remember seeing - the whole waves crashing with the water receding revealing a new page of credits - carved in wood - was a wonderful effect.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] maxwelly 18 years ago

truly a masterpiece

[–] BwlBoy 17 years ago

It is very unusual for a leading character to be killed off in films of that era. I cannot think of a more touching film of the 30s however I do not share the belief that it belongs in the top 250 films of all time. Looking solely at Spencer Tracy. His performances in Bad Day at Black Rock, Adam's Rib, Judgment at Nuremberg and especially Inherit the Wind all surpass his performance in this and I derived more enjoyment from them all.

[–] gcweaver 18 years ago

It is a good rendition. I really enjoyed both of them. They were a pleasure to see.

Now, I want to read the book since the story has a very different ending. I am very curious.

[–] petangi 18 years ago

I don't want to mention the remake. (Don't they know when a film is perfect?) The 1937 is a wonderful film and will always force its way into my top 40. A superb yarn and immensely moving.

[–] writermangp 17 years ago

A great movie. A classic tearjerker. All of the cast were wonderful, especially Spence. What a great performance.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] soruht 17 years ago

I've seen plenty of "this should be on the top 250" threads (gimme a break, Dagon?!) but this is the first time I've agreed with one. How its rating is so low I have no idea.

Hard to believe it's 71 years old, it doesn't feel dated at all.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] bradmoore 16 years ago

Yes I agree wholeheartedly that it should be in the top 250,its a wonderful film that everyone should see.10/10

[–] ElKuryos 16 years ago

OFC it should be on top.

I saw it by accident and it's a great melodramatic movie. The "rural" Manuel (portuguese name..like me btw) shows greatly how to "educate" a little bastard dwarf that thinks the world spins around him and only him.

That was a great proof of love...

I love it.. and i recommend it..

I live far away from my friends, but i'm going to get a way to get this dvd to show it to all of them.

[–] ragusa11 15 years ago

It really should be a top 100 film but on IMDB the latest and greatest always knocks the old classics off.

[–] SpitfireIXB 15 years ago

ragusall:

You are so right!

There are an awful lot of mediocre, even crappy, movies listed in IMDb's Top 100 and Top 250 films. I know because I have seen all of them, but two, and many don't deserve to be there and would not even make my recommended list.

There is no doubt that this movie, Captains Courageous, deserves to be on any top 100 movie listing. Why it isn't on IMDb's Top 100 list brings the entire IMDb ranking system into disrepute.

When I look at the rankings of some of the movies I have viewed, I sometimes wonder if the patients have taken over the asylum. It seems that cinematography, story and acting skills no longer matter: explicit sex has replaced sensuality and romance; unwarranted gore has replaced thrilling action; gratuitous violence has replaced acting skills; profanity has replaced meaningful thought and dialogue; etc., etc.. It seems that many reviewers and voters are on a personal vendetta or are ignorant pseudo-cinephiles who have created multiple accounts and thereby managed to take control of IMBd's voting and feedback system. And I believe that is why Captains Courageous is not on IMDb's lists of top movies. What a shame.

"Who, being loved, is poor?" (Oscar Wilde)

[–] jgarrick 15 years ago

brings the entire IMDb ranking system into disrepute.

It was already in disrepute. Personally, I think that in order to be granted voting rights on IMDb, your age plus the number of movies you've seen that are older than you are need to add up to about 60.

[–] 15 years ago

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