Watch The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial
- PG
- 1988
- 2 hr 2 min
-
6.9 (763)
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial is a 1988 drama film that explores the themes of leadership, responsibility, and justice. The movie is based on a novel of the same name by Herman Wouk, and is a courtroom drama that takes place during the Second World War. The film follows the story of Lieutenant Commander Queeg (played by Brad Davis), who is in charge of the minesweeper USS Caine. There is a mutiny aboard the ship, led by Lieutenant Stephen Maryk (played by Jeff Daniels) and Lieutenant Junior Grade Willie Keith (played by Eric Bogosian). The mutiny occurs after Queeg's erratic behavior puts the crew's lives in danger during a typhoon.
The story is mainly told through the eyes of Willie Keith, a young officer who is assigned to the Caine for his first tour of duty. Keith is a talented musician who struggles to find his place among the crew, and comes into conflict with Queeg over his musical ambitions. As the story progresses, Keith begins to question Queeg's leadership, and is drawn into Maryk's mutiny when he becomes convinced that Queeg is a danger to the crew.
The majority of the film takes place in the courtroom, where Maryk and Keith are put on trial for mutiny. The trial is presided over by a senior officer, Captain Blakely (played by Peter Gallagher), and the prosecution is led by Lieutenant Commander John Challee (played by Michael Murphy). The defense counsel is Lieutenant Barney Greenwald, a lawyer and former sailor who is played by Kevin J. O'Connor.
The trial is a tense affair, with both sides presenting arguments and evidence to support their positions. The prosecution argues that Maryk and Keith were guilty of mutiny, and that Queeg was a competent and fair-minded commander who was unfairly maligned by his crew. The defense, on the other hand, argues that Queeg was mentally unstable and that the mutiny was a necessary measure to protect the crew.
As the trial progresses, it becomes clear that there is more at stake than just the fate of Maryk and Keith. The trial also serves as a commentary on the nature of leadership, and the responsibilities that come with commanding a military unit. The verdict will have far-reaching consequences for all involved, including the officers aboard the Caine, who will have to live with the aftermath of the mutiny for the rest of their careers.
Overall, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial is a gripping drama that explores some of the most important issues facing military leaders during wartime. The acting is superb, with Daniels, Davis, and Bogosian all turning in strong performances that capture the emotional complexity of their characters. The film is also beautifully shot, with stunning cinematography that captures the harsh realities of life aboard a wartime ship. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the US Navy or in the nature of leadership and command.
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial is a 1988 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.