Watch Mister Roberts

Mister Roberts is a 1955 film directed by John Ford, starring Henry Fonda, James Cagney, and William Powell. Adapted from the hit Broadway play of the same name, the movie focuses on the experiences of a group of sailors on a cargo ship during World War II. The story follows the eponymous character of Lieutenant Doug Roberts, played by Fonda, who serves as a cargo officer on a Navy ship called the Reluctant. Roberts is intelligent, principled, and has a strong sense of duty. He is respected by his fellow sailors, including Ensign Pulver, played by Jack Lemmon in his Oscar-winning role.

Roberts is frustrated by his mundane duties and longs for active service in combat. He tries to get transferred to a fighting ship, but his commanding officer, Captain Morton, played by Cagney, refuses to let him go. Morton is a tyrannical, petty, and incompetent captain who cares only about his own prestige and power. He harasses the crew, imposes unnecessary rules, denies them basic supplies, and makes their lives unbearable.

Roberts becomes increasingly disillusioned with his situation and tries to find ways to rebel against Morton’s authority. He organizes recreational activities for the crew, smuggles goods from the local island, and tries to improve their living conditions. He also becomes a mentor to the inexperienced Pulver, teaching him the ropes of the Navy and instilling in him a sense of responsibility.

The conflict between Roberts and Morton comes to a head when the ship is ordered to sail to a dangerous area known as “the graveyard” to deliver supplies to other ships under attack. Roberts wants to help in the battle, but Morton refuses to engage the enemy, risking the lives of other sailors. Roberts decides to take matters into his own hands and sabotages the ship’s engines, causing it to miss the scheduled rendezvous and forcing Morton to confront him.

The movie portrays the struggles of the crew with humor, warmth, and realism. It captures the camaraderie, banter, and tensions of life on a Navy ship, as well as the patriotism, sacrifice, and heroism of the men who serve their country. The film also tackles important themes such as authority, leadership, loyalty, and moral courage.

Henry Fonda gives a superb performance as the idealistic and frustrated Roberts, conveying both his intelligence and his vulnerability. James Cagney is excellent as the despicable Morton, portraying him as a flawed human being rather than a one-dimensional villain. William Powell, in his last film role, plays the genial doctor on the ship, adding a touch of humor and wisdom.

The movie was a critical and commercial success, receiving four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Jack Lemmon. It is still considered one of the best war films ever made, praised for its realistic portrayal of life on a Navy ship and its poignant message about the cost of war.

In conclusion, Mister Roberts is a classic and timeless film that deserves to be watched and appreciated by audiences of all ages. It showcases the talents of its cast and director, as well as the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who serve their country. Its story and themes are as relevant today as they were in the 1950s and remain a powerful reminder of the human cost of war.

Mister Roberts is a 1955 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 72.