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Cast
Alan Ladd
as Charles Stewart
Brian Donlevy
as Richard Henry Dana
William Bendix
as First Mate Amazeen
Barry Fitzgerald
as Terence O'Feenaghty
Howard Da Silva
as Captain Francis A. Thompson
Esther Fernández
as Maria Dominguez
Albert Dekker
as Brown
Luis van Rooten
as 2nd Mate Foster
Darryl Hickman
as Sam Hooper
Roman Bohnen
as Macklin
Movie Info & Details
Release Year1946
Runtime1h 38m
LanguageEnglish
CertificationNR
GenresAdventure, Drama
Votes10
DirectorJohn Farrow
WritersSeton I. Miller, George Bruce, Richard Henry Dana Jr.
TypeFeature Film
Rating6.5 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsTwo Years Before the Mast
About Two Years Before the Mast
In 1834, Charles Stewart (Alan Ladd), the spoiled, dissolute son of a shipping magnate, is shanghaied aboard the Pilgrim, one of his father's own ships. He embarks upon a long, hellish sea voyage under the tyrannical rule of Captain Francis Thompson (Howard Da Silva), assisted by his first mate, Amazeen (William Bendix). One of his crewmates is Richard Henry Dana Jr. (Brian Donlevy).
Directed by John Farrow, Two Years Before the Mast leans on a strong ensemble — Alan Ladd, Brian Donlevy, William Bendix — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about adventure titles of 1946.
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