Captain Vere leads HMS Avenger into battle during the Napoleonic Wars, concerned about recent mutinies in the English fleet. He relies on Master-at-Arms John Claggert to maintain order, but Claggert's cruel and sadistic nature makes him resent newcomer Billy Budd's innocent and carefree attitude.

Billy Budd
A sailor's professional fate hangs in the balance as his superiors weigh the devastating implications of a catastrophic mistake.