The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (1988) (TV)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Robert Altman

Writers:

Herman Wouk (play)
Herman Wouk (teleplay)

Release Date:

8 May 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

A full-length adaptation, originally staged as a play, of the court-martial segment from the novel "The Caine Mutiny". |

Plot Keywords:

Court Martial | US Navy | Pulitzer Prize Source | Courtroom Drama | Courtroom

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Eric Bogosian	...	Lt. Barney Greenwald
Jeff Daniels	...	Lt. Steve Maryk
Brad Davis	...	Lt. Cmdr. Phillip Francis Queeg
Peter Gallagher	...	Lt. Cmdr. John Challee
Michael Murphy	...	Capt. Blakely
Kevin J. O'Connor	...	Lt. Thomas Keefer
Daniel Jenkins	...	Lt. Willis Keith
Danny Darst	...	Capt. Randolph Southard
Ken Michels	...	Dr. Bird
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Barnett	...	Legal Assistant
Brian Haley	...	Party Guest
Kenneth V. Jones	...	Legal Assistant
Matt Malloy	...	Legal Assistant
David Miller	...	Stenographer
Matt Smith	...	Party Guest
L.W. Wyman	...	Party Guest

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Fort Worden State Park - 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, Washington, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Television

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The gymnasium floor where trial is held has modern basketball court markings.

Movie Connections:

Version of Muiterij op de Caine (1957) (TV)

Altman at his best

Robert Altman's simple and brilliant reprise of the celebrated fictional naval trial succeeds both as a series of character studies, and, more effectively than the Bogart film, as a rebuke of the sprawling anti-military novels (such as the Naked and the Dead) that followed World War II. Unlike the 1954 movie, this version is based on Herman Wouk's stage play and focuses exclusively on the trial itself. As events focus on the progression of witnesses in the temporary courtroom (it's a converted gym), each man is scrutinized under a microscope which reveals strengths, weaknesses, hypocrisy and anguish.

Facing the thankless task of following in Bogart's wake, Brad Davis gives an edgy performance as Qeeg, a ticky personality that slowly melts and becomes unglued in the witness chair. Eric Bogosian is just as watchable as Lt Greenwald, the razor-sharp defense lawyer who is torn as the issues of the trial tear into his own changing moral attitudes about the war. A cynical intellectual when he entered the Marines as a flyer, Greenwald now sees the pragmatic need for a structured military to defeat the evils of fascism (particularly as a Jewish American). To win the trial, he must destroy the life of a career officer and he's sick about it.

Jeff Daniels, Peter Gallagher and the rest of the cast are all top drawer. The 1988 TV Movie version is also able to briefly touch on issues of anti-Semitism and homosexuality that were expunged in the 50s big-screen version. The Caine Mutiny Court Martial offers that all-too-rare treat of allowing Hollywood stars to get into some meaty characters and performances which are normally reserved for the stage. Offered with Altman's trademark overlapping dialogue, it's great drama, an under-appreciated gem, and is well worth 100 minutes of your time.