All the Brothers Were Valiant, from 1953, is an action/adventure film, starring Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, and Ann Blyth. Based on Ben Ames Williams' 1919 novel of the same name, this film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography. A remake of the 1923 Lon Chaney film of the same name and the 1928 Ramon Novarro/Joan Crawford film Across to Singapore, it's the story of a pair of 1850's brothers, whalers on the high seas.
As the film begins, Joel Shore (Robert Taylor) returns to his Massachusetts hometown, having been gone on a three-year voyage. Upon his return, he learns that his brother Mark (Stewart Granger) did not return with his ship from his last voyage. It was assumed that he had died, possibly at the hands of some South Pacific islanders.
Joel is given command of Mark's old ship and is to set off on another voyage; however, before doing so, he marries his long-time love, Priscilla (Ann Blyth), a woman who has also had feelings for brother Mark. Not wanting to leave his new bride behind for two or three years, Joel has Priscilla accompany him on the voyage, and she takes immediately to sea life.
When they reach the Gilbert Islands---the place where Mark was last seen---it is discovered that he didn't die after all. In fact, Mark tells Joel the story of how he had discovered a fortune in black pearls but ended up losing them in a lagoon. He requests that Joel join him in searching for the lost treasure, a request which Joel refuses. Mark, though, used to getting his own way and used to pushing Joel around, will not take "no" for an answer; he will do whatever it takes to get those pearls, and if that means creating a mutiny and turning Priscilla against Joel, then that is exactly what he will do.
This film is exciting and entertaining and features good performances by all. It's a solid 3 stars for me, and rather close to 4...definitely a film I enjoy and recommend. I do think the idea of a newlywed wife having a "honeymoon" aboard a whaling vessel is a bit off, but, you never know, some women might have done just that.
The film is out on DVD, and it also happens to be on TCM's schedule quite often, so it should be fairly easy to track down. Hope you get a chance to see it.
Happy viewing!!
