The Caine Mutiny (1954)- Did the captain of the U.S.S. Caine lose control of his faculties in the face of a threat to the safety of his ship? The officers of the Caine are faced with the most difficult decision of their careers, and one that will put them all on trial. Humphrey Bogart leads the way in one of the great courtroom dramas of all time.
Directed by Edward Dmytryk Starring Humphrey Bogart, Jose Ferrer, Van Johnson, Fred MacMurray
A classic movie on several levels. It is a great courtroom movie. Bogart plays the tightly wound Navy officer brought in to command a ragtag crew on a worn out minesweeper at the end of World War II. Before he arrived the Caine was a sloppy but functioning ship. After he arrives, the crew is set on edge by the mental fragility of their new commanding officer. Slowly, it all begins to unravel, until an enormous storm threatens to sink her with all hands. The officers have to make a decision in that moment that will challenge the most fundamental rule of the sea, obedience to orders and the man entitled to give them.
It’s also a classic movie as it examines the demands of command at sea. Until very recently, a captain at sea had to function as the absolute final word to his crew. Even with the advent of radio communication, Navy officers have to be able to think on their feet as the world reels around them. To relive an officer of his command is never to be taken lightly, and the navies of the world have always taken a severe view of those who do it.
The other thing I love is that the movie refuses to leave us with a simple, “Hollywood” ending. I won’t give it away, but the movie takes a very realistic look at the outcome of the story. And it makes the movie even better.
With an outstanding cast, you get some great performances up and down the film. Bogart as Capt. Queeg gives one of his best-remembered performances. He often played men with flaws, but rarely did you seem him in a role where those flaws are profoundly exposed. Van Johnson is the Executive Officer faced with leading the way to relieve his captain. Fred MacMurray is wonderful in a role that lets him play shallow and cynical. Lee Marvin and Claude Akins have small roles as crewmen that are fun.
Most people agree, the romantic subplot here is the only flaw to this diamond. You can skip right over the scenes between young Ensign Keith (Robert Francis) and his girl (May Wynn). They not only add nothing to the story, but they’re simply neither good nor believable. You wouldn’t miss them for an instant, and removing them would leave an almost perfect film.
Why You Will Like It – It’s a war film, and a Navy film and a courtroom film. But it’s not just any of those. Most of all it’s Bogart’s film. In a performance, you will never forget.
Rating – Outstanding – *****
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