tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201660899514011402.post4547762000603451158..comments2024-03-28T10:44:41.756-05:00Comments on The War Movie Buff: The Caine Mutiny (1954) War Movie Buffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05999735218343872013noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201660899514011402.post-26893078643106068252021-06-22T10:31:40.032-05:002021-06-22T10:31:40.032-05:00I had the same feelings watching this movie and a ...I had the same feelings watching this movie and a recent reviewing has not changed my attitude. Thanks to both for expressing my attitudepapajohnlokihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01160291528287047845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201660899514011402.post-53245373466135082922020-01-25T09:37:50.686-06:002020-01-25T09:37:50.686-06:00Excellent. Thanks. You made me rethink my positi...Excellent. Thanks. You made me rethink my position.War Movie Buffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05999735218343872013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201660899514011402.post-82998681044346328532020-01-21T13:12:33.169-06:002020-01-21T13:12:33.169-06:00I agree that the film does not show us much to sup...I agree that the film does not show us much to support Greenwald's belief that the junior officers could have kept Queeg from cracking up, but it is significant that both Maryk (the most honest and conscientious of the officers) and Keith accept the proposition as true. I think that we are to suppose that they let things degenerate into a state of permanent hostility and allowed themselves and the crew to needle the captain, compounding his stress, feeding his paranoia, and shutting down any hope of trusting his crew. Again, the movie doesn't do a good job of showing us what the officers apparently could see.<br /><br />One thing the movie does well, though, is set up the harsh rules of military discipline. Early in the film Keith forgets to deliver a dispatch to the captain because he was distracted by an emergency. The captain later points out the Keith that his omission could have seriously damaged not only his own career but the career of the captain, who would have been held responsible for the consequences of not receiving the message on time. But the harsh rules are there for a reason - slack discipline jeopardizes not only lives but the outcome of battles. People need to be held accountable even when it is not entirely fair to punish them for what has happened.<br /><br />Layered over this is the issue of an officer serving with people he despises or does not respect. It shows up frequently in history and in the service to this day. All of my friends in the military have spoken of having to tolerate some real jerks and boobies. The officers have to make it work while deciding how far to "play the game" of military politics, creating a record to protect themselves and discredit their enemies. <br /><br />When the young officers face a hard situation, make a tough choice, and face draconian consequences, we are on their side. So it is great to have Greenwald angrily confront them with the other side of the matter and see the officers acknowledge his point. Again, it's hard for us the viewers to swallow his conclusion but the existence of the counterargument raises the quality of the film as a whole.<br /><br />Other things (besides those mentioned in the review) that put this movie a cut or two above your average war movie: (1) an interesting exploration of life in an unglamorous part of the Navy - here, an antique minesweeper that makes little actual contribution to the war effort; (2) beautifully-shot scenes, from artillery target practice to an aircraft carrier crew muster to an outdoor restaurant at Yosemite Park; (3) a restrained courtroom segment that does not overtake the film, as is so easy to do; and (4) clever use of the soundtrack - for instance, a peppy, optimistic march plays while the officers board Halsey's aircraft carrier to lodge a complaint, contrasting with the young officers' anxious feelings and giving weight to Keefer's sudden doubt that Halsey will care about the goings-on in their broken-down unimportant ship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201660899514011402.post-43131723739226039482013-07-09T08:23:04.170-05:002013-07-09T08:23:04.170-05:00Thanks for the input. Based on what you say, I wo...Thanks for the input. Based on what you say, I would have to agree with the Navy when it claims there has never been a mutiny.War Movie Buffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05999735218343872013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201660899514011402.post-22350653553654038022013-07-09T08:20:56.697-05:002013-07-09T08:20:56.697-05:00Totally agree. The ending does not make sense. I...Totally agree. The ending does not make sense. I found nothing in Maryk's conduct that warranted the lawyer's ire. He was obviously a superior leader to Queeg and did the right thing in the storm. It's not like he was eager to oust his commander.<br /><br />We have the same take on Queeg sort of asking for help. He was not the type to listen to others.War Movie Buffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05999735218343872013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201660899514011402.post-37283796211814436542013-07-06T16:53:49.572-05:002013-07-06T16:53:49.572-05:00The foreword, stating that there has never been a ...The foreword, stating that there has never been a mutiny in a US Navy ship, was presumably included to appease the Navy brass. It depends on a narrow definition of mutiny aboard a ship. The 1842 USS Somers incident did not count, because the mutiny was never carried out, and the alleged conspirators were never formally prosecuted (although they were executed). There is also controversy about whether there was an intent to mutiny, or if the alleged ring leader was just playing a joke that backfired. The 1944 Mare Island incident took place in a shipyard, not aboard a ship, and would have been considered a strike instead of a mutiny if the sailors had been civilians. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201660899514011402.post-61641264352780559412013-07-06T16:37:43.155-05:002013-07-06T16:37:43.155-05:00The movie did accurately depict a common problem i...The movie did accurately depict a common problem in the military (over-emphasis on spit-and-polish at the expense of actual job performance), but it copped out with the epilog in which the defense lawyer berates his own clients and tries to exonerate Queeg. The scene in which the captain vaguely tries to ask his lieutenants for help is unconvincing. I cannot even imagine a man like Queeg accepting constructive criticism (or even helpful suggestions) from a subordinate. By the time he asked for help, the junior officers were afraid to offer any. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201660899514011402.post-57588957960755480882013-06-28T17:05:59.548-05:002013-06-28T17:05:59.548-05:00I think you would like it. The acting is stellar....I think you would like it. The acting is stellar. It feels like a play although the big storm scene is well done effects wise. I have problems with the conclusion which I did not reveal in the post.War Movie Buffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05999735218343872013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7201660899514011402.post-21600401567307741012013-06-28T02:57:50.271-05:002013-06-28T02:57:50.271-05:00I was aware of this film as I really like Bogart a...I was aware of this film as I really like Bogart and would like to watch all of his movies, still, I haven't seen this. I think I'd like it but agree, from what you write it's maybe not Top 100 war movie material. <br />allaboutwarmovieshttp://allaboutwarmovies.comnoreply@blogger.com