Review of The Caine Mutiny (1954) by Teresa S — 21 Sep 2011

The officers that relieve a veteran naval commander during a WWII mission must justify their actions to a court martial tribunal or face execution. Another courtroom drama based around the twisted morality of war and the command structure, The Caine Mutiny sidesteps the usual dryness associated with legal rhetoric by basing most of the story on board ship amongst a set of interesting, well realised characters.

There's little in the way of military action, but the character dynamic works really well, the picks of the bunch being Fred MacMurray as the cynical writer who instigates the insurrection and obviously the brilliant Humphrey Bogart in one of his best performances as the captain who has perhaps served one tour too many and is suffering the psychological damage that results.

Jose Ferrer is also excellent as the reluctant defending lawyer and his drunken blitzkrieg at the finale is a real highlight. The only off key note is the unnecessary and sentimental glimpse into Robert Francis' homelife, but these scenes are mercifully brief and the quality performances and sharp dialogue make this one of the best courtroom dramas around.