“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” is a film based on the play that Herman Wouk adapted from his novel of 1954. It was directed by 88-year-old William Friedkin (“Rules of Engagement”). It was his first movie since 2011. Because of his age, the insurance company insisted that Guillermo Del Toro be on set as back-up director. Del Toro was not needed. Friedkin finished the picture one day early after 14 days. Sadly, Friedkin died after the film was finished. And Lance Reddick also passed away before the movie premiered. The movie is set in the Persian Gulf War, instead of WWII.
For those of you who have seen “The Caine Mutiny” starring Humphrey Bogart, this movie covers just the trial. It doesn’t use flashbacks to cover the incidents mentioned in the trial. Lt. Meryk (Jake Lacy) is on trial for mutiny. His defense attorney is Lt. Greenwald (Jason Clarke). He makes it quite clear from the start that he thinks Meryk is guilty. But you’re stuck with me because nobody else wanted to defend you. But like every good defense lawyer, Greenwald is willing to disregard his feelings and put up a stout defense. This begins with the first witness - Capt. Queeg (Kiefer Sutherland). Sutherland plays Queeg the same as Bogart. He comes off as a captain with low self esteem and paranoia (which are what the psychiatrist testifies to) and a person who is clearly in denial about command problems. This is the impression we get, but we do not see the incidents acted out, so it is not clear whether he screwed up in the incidents that the 1954 movie covers. Another witness is Lt. Keefer (Lewis Pullman). Keefer does not back up his supposed friend’s justifications for taking over command of the ship in a cyclone. An expert witness testifies that Queeg’s preferred heading for the ship in the storm was the correct one, but he is forced to admit that under the circumstances, Meryk might have been right. Throughout the trial, the officer in charge of the trial, Capt. Blakely (Reddick), reins in Greenwald for the good of the Navy’s reputation and the reputation of Queeg. Meryk testifies and goes over the various incidents including the Caine cutting its own cable, the “yellow stain” incident, and of course, the strawberries incident. Queeg is called back to refute all of that. He rolls his marbles as he gets uncomfortable with everyone’s realization that he is a bit unhinged. The movie concludes similar to the 1954 film.
I rewatched the 1954 film in preparation for this review. I have to admit I have been a bit harsh with the film because of Greenwald’s treatment of Meryk. The movie makes it quite clear that Queeg was a poor leader and Meryk’s removal of him saved the ship and all its crew. I still think Meryk was right, but I can see Greenwald’s disgust at Meryk and the rest of the officers not showing empathy when the Queeg asked for help. I still think Greenwald could have climbed down from his high horse. This movie makes it less clear whether Meryk was justified. And Keefer’s testimony is the only evidence that he was an asshole. The earlier film makes a stronger case for Greenwald’s disgust with him. In this movie, you wonder why Greenwald is over the top in the final scene. Why is he so upset with a guy who lied to save his skin, if Greenwald does not think Meryk is guilty? The movie makes his motivation clearer because it establishes Keefer’s role in the mutiny. This movie also makes the odd decision not to mention Queeg asking the officer’s for help.
One has to wonder what was the point of making this movie. Sure, it is interesting to see different actors in the iconic roles, but the dialogue is essentially the same. By forgoing flashbacks (probably due to the movie basically being a play), we don’t get the true story of what happens. We get a “he said, he said” situation. Neither movie has Meryk on the stand defending his actions during the cyclone, but the earlier movie enacts the incident. This movie also completely abandons the subplot of Keith’s love life. Keith just appears briefly as a witness who backs up Meryk. He is not used as a rookie officer having to deal with the Captain and the other officers who turn on Queeg. The trade-off for more witness testimony and a meatier role for the prosecuting attorney and the judge does not make up for the loss of the enactments.
The movie is entertaining mainly as an actor’s showcase. All of the cast hold their own in comparison to the original cast. Kiefer Sutherland is fine filling Bogart’s shoes and it took balls to take the role. He does have the balls (in his hands), but he does not try to replicate Bogie’s performance. Monica Raymund is excellent as Lt. Commander Challee and her character is much more searing than that of E.G. Marshall in the original movie. It was a nice touch putting a female in that role. Speaking of roles, Dale Dye is part of the court-martial panel, but he has no lines!
If you have not seen the 1954 movie, I strongly recommend that you watch it before watching this movie. This movie is a fine as an addition, but as a stand alone, it lacks the coverage of the 1954 film. This is not its fault because it puts the play on film and apparently does not change the plot. I put the blame on Wouk. He had to agree to changes in the novel in order to get Navy cooperation to make the movie. He did not have to cave to do the play.
GRADE = B-
