Captains Courageous
Seen it?1937 | 115 min | Adventure, Drama, Family
Friday Night Flickearly ratingWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won an Oscar. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for adventure fans and families. If you loved Life of Pi or Finding Nemo, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 55 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1937: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Harvey, the arrogant and spoiled son of an indulgent absentee-father, falls overboard from a transatlantic steamship and is rescued by a fishing vessel on the Grand Banks. Harvey fails to persuade them to take him ashore, nor convince the crew of his wealth. The captain offers him a low-paid job, until they return to port, as part of the crew that turns him into a mature, considerate young man.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
95% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.4 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best Actor. Also nominated for 3 more Oscars. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$3 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 47K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Victor Fleming
- Freddie BartholomewHarvey Cheyne
- Spencer TracyManuel Fidello
- Lionel BarrymoreCaptain Disko Troop
- Melvyn DouglasFrank Burton Cheyne
- Charley GrapewinUncle Salters
- Mickey RooneyDan Troop
- John CarradineLong Jack
- Oscar O'SheaCaptain Walt Cushman
- Jack La RuePriest
- Walter KingsfordDr. Finley