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Why is this not on DVD or ever Shown On Turner Classic Movies!?

posted 17 years ago by hallowedgrnd
13 replies | jump to latest

This is 1 film I have always wanted to see but for some reason it is never shown on Turner Classic Movies, and from my knowledge it was never placed on VHS!

I know the film won the Oscar for Best Effects!!

"Plymouth Adventure" tells a fictionalized version of the Pilgrims' voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to North America aboard the Mayflower. During the long sea voyage, Capt. Christopher Jones (Tracy) falls in love with Dorothy Bradford (Tierney), the wife of William Bradford (Leo Genn) . The love triangle is resolved in a tragic way at the film's conclusion. Lloyd Bridges provides comic relief as the stowaway, Coppin.

[–] sharlyfarley 16 years ago

Saw it today (November 22, 2008) on TCM, bless 'em. The film is worth seeing at least once for the storm at sea and for Spencer Tracy...but the film nearly sinks under Gene Tierney. Heaven help her, the only actress worse was Lana Turner. With her impervious perm and flawless studio makeup, she doesn't even look like a puritan, let alone Dorothy Bradford. Van Johnson as an English carpenter is slightly more forgiveable, because he has some moments of believability. Gene Tierney has none. If MGM had taken the two stars out, they might have had a masterpiece - the script was fine and the mostly British supporting cast superb. Now that I've seen it, I never want to see it again.

[–] laxlon 16 years ago

Spoilers, watch out!
It is a bore. I'm sure the Gene Tierney character killed herself because she thought the movie would never end.

[–] DavidW1947 16 years ago

Lloyd Bridges doesn't play a stowaway, he plays the First Mate aboard the Mayflower.

[–] obx4u2c 15 years ago

It came on TCM recently and I DVR'd it. The 'love' story could have been avoided, but the movie is solid overall. What I get out of it, is how the people started out, and how some changed as a result of the voyage, and what that meant going forward for everyone. I liked it, nothing that will blow you away, but solid story telling and an enjoyable movie.

[–] pt100 11 years ago

Yes, it could have been better. But, given the subject matter, maybe they didn't want to jazz it up too much. I've seen it once, and that's enough for me.

As TCM's host Ben Mankiewicz noted, the film, upon its release, was not favored by either critics or the viewing public. Hollywood insiders referred to it as MGM's Thanksgiving turkey. Over the years it has become acknowledged for it's "craftsmanship" (for it's sets, costumes and the Mayflower replica); and it did win a special effects Oscar.

But it really was a box office flop. And the limited discussion in this forum probably reflects the general lack of interest in the film.

Even the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops was lukewarm about the film, as stated in the following review:
"Hokey history of the Pilgrims' voyage to the New World aboard the "Mayflower" whose hard-drinking, double-dealing captain (Spencer Tracy) pursues the wife (Gene Tierney) of the colony's leader (Leo Genn), then blames himself for her suicide. Director Clarence Brown's talky script, sporadic action and melodramatic treatment add up to disappointing results."

[–] g_dekok 12 years ago

That's your loss, then. Gene Tierney was one of the FINEST actresses of her day. I take it that your idea of a good actress would be one-hit wonder lindsay lohan.

[–] logan03 15 years ago

Along with some other Tierney films throughout the day.

[–] blondee661 14 years ago

It's also being shown on November 21, at midnight on TCM!

[–] Woodyanders 14 years ago

This film has just been released as a "burned on demand" DVD-R from Warner Home Archives. Alas, no shipping outside the US, but at least it's finally available.

1,000 mini-bios and I feel like I'm just getting started

[–] pt100 12 years ago

It just aired again on TCM on Sunday, 11/18/2012. I suggest you check TCM's listings next year a week or so before Thanksgiving and you'll probably find it. I think they air it before Thanksgiving every year.

[–] DodgersRule 11 years ago

And 11/24/13.
A good movie and I think the entire cast is just fine.

[–] EnyaMom 10 years ago

This will be on TCM Sunday, November 23 at 8 pm ET. Just to let folks know
¤¤ Shared dreams are shared smiles ¤¤

[–] hobnob53 10 years ago

TCM does indeed run the film every year before Thanksgiving. And it's still available on DVD from Warner Archives, released in 2010 (as I noted four years ago on another thread here, which apparently no one has ever bothered to check). The original soundtrack is available on CD.

Truth be told Plymouth Adventure is not very good, though it has its moments. Too pious, ponderous and self-important for its own good. Aptly dismissed as one of MGM studio chief Dore Schary's "message pictures". Tracy and Tierney were miscast.

The OP calling Coppin (Lloyd Bridges) "comic relief" is utterly ridiculous. He's the chief villain -- nothing funny about him at all. The only amusing thing is that they insisted on having him shirtless throughout his early scenes, which I guarantee no one, not even a ship's hand, would have been in 17th-century England. (He also wasn't a stowaway, as the OP said, but first mate, but a previous poster pointed this out.)