Laughton's iconic performance depicts Bligh as an extreme sadist. Historically, Bligh was a highly skilled navigator but known for a short temper; his actions weren't unusually cruel by 18th-century naval standards.

Gable portrays Christian as a noble hero driven purely by injustice. While Christian did lead the mutiny, his motivations were likely complex, and the film heavily romanticizes his character.

A fictional composite character based loosely on Midshipman Peter Heywood. Byam serves as a narrative device and moral compass, torn between duty and friendship.

Based on the real John Adams (who used the alias Smith), a mutineer who later became the leader of the Pitcairn settlement.

A real, young crew member who participated in the mutiny and was later captured and tried.

Based on the real surgeon Thomas Huggan, whose incompetence and drunkenness aboard the Bounty are historically documented.

The Bounty's specific mission to transport breadfruit plants from Tahiti to the West Indies is historically accurate.

The film greatly exaggerates Bligh's cruelty for dramatic effect. Historical evidence does not support the portrayal of him as a monstrous tyrant unique for his time.

Flogging was a common punishment in the 18th-century Royal Navy. The film likely increases the frequency and dramatizes the context of punishments aboard the Bounty under Bligh.

Significant antagonism existed between Bligh and Christian. The film simplifies this into a clear hero-villain dynamic, ignoring the nuances of their professional and personal relationship.

The Bounty did spend five months in Tahiti, and the crew enjoyed the island. The film romanticizes this period and its impact on the crew's desire not to leave.

Fletcher Christian leading a group of crewmen to seize control of HMS Bounty from Lieutenant Bligh is the core historical event accurately depicted.

Bligh and 18 men loyal to him were forced into the ship's small open boat.

Bligh's navigation of the launch over 3,600 nautical miles to Timor was an extraordinary feat of seamanship, though the film gives it less focus than the mutiny itself.

After setting Bligh adrift, Christian sailed the Bounty back to Tahiti, where some of the crew decided to stay.

Christian, seeking a permanent refuge, eventually settled on the isolated Pitcairn Island with 8 other mutineers, Tahitian men, and women.

The mutineers deliberately burned the Bounty ship after arriving at Pitcairn Island to prevent discovery and ensure they could not leave.

Bligh did not command the ship sent to find the mutineers (HMS Pandora, captained by Edward Edwards). The film includes Bligh in the pursuit and trial for dramatic confrontation.

Bligh was on his second breadfruit voyage when the court-martial took place in England.

This dramatic scene is entirely fictional, stemming from the fictional character Byam. The real trial of Peter Heywood and others was complex, but this confrontation did not occur.

The film accurately sets the action within the correct historical timeframe of the Bounty voyage and its immediate aftermath.

A full-scale replica of the Bounty was constructed and used, providing a visually authentic main setting. Meticulous research informed the ship's design for the film.

Portrays aspects like shipboard hierarchy, duties, and discipline (flogging). The overall atmosphere is heavily influenced by the film's dramatic portrayal of Bligh's command.

Filmed partly on location, it captures some visual aspects but presents a romanticized, stereotypical view of Tahiti as an idyllic paradise for the sailors.

Considerable effort was made toward costume accuracy, including using historical tailor records for Bligh's uniform. Generally reflects the naval attire of the era well.

Shown briefly as the final destination where the Bounty is burned.

Represents the formal environment of a British naval court-martial from the period.