Two Years Before the Mast

A box office winner in 1946, Two Years Before the Mast hasn't borne the passage of time particularly well, but it's still an agreeable way to pass an hour and a half, especially for those who are devotees of all things having to do with the high seas. Mast should be a better picture than it is, as it has a lot of good things going for it. Its cast, for example, ranges from the fine to the exceptional. Star Alan Ladd belongs to the former; his work here is more than adequate, but not the star turn that one wants. He also feels distinctly out of period and not exactly comfortable at all times in the part. Better is Brain Donlevy, whose quieter performance has some surprises, and William Bendix as the second-in-command who helps keeps his fellows down. Best of all is Howard Da Silva, whose tormenting, torturous, heartless captain burns in the memory like a hot brand. John farrow's direction is appropriately muscular, and he does a good job of filming ocean sequences on a studio set; but Farrow doesn't seem as in control of his movie as Da Silva is of his ship. It sputters along rather than sailing, and the whole ends up lesser than the sum of its parts. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide