Defiant's crew is part of a fleet-wide movement to present a petition of grievances to the Admiralty. Violence must be no part of it. The continual sadism of Defiant's first officer makes this difficult, and when the captain is disabled, the chance for violence increases.

Alec Guinness
as Captain Crawford

Dirk Bogarde
as Lieut. Scott-Padget

Anthony Quayle
as Vizard

Maurice Denham
as Mr. Goss (Ship's Surgeon)

Nigel Stock
as Senior Midshipman Kilpatrick

Tom Bell
as Evans

Richard Carpenter
as Lieut. Posonby

Peter Gill
as Lieut. D'Arblay

Ray Brooks
as Hayes

Robin Stewart
as Pardoe
John Chard
Spithead Mutiny Avast. It is the Napoleonic Wars and Captain Crawford takes command of the H.M.S. Defiant and sets off with his orders to Corsica. His second in command is Lt. Scott-Paget, a vindictive and bullying man who has moved through the ranks on account of his higher echelon connections. ...