The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial 4K 2023 2160p WEB-DL

The movie will tell the story of the events on a warship, which will later be called a mutiny, and the tribunal that follows. At it, an officer will be accused of taking charge of the ship arbitrarily.

The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial 4K Review
On December 18, 2022, the warship Kane, which was clearing the Persian Gulf, was caught in a merciless storm. The ship's commander, Phillip Quigg (Kiefer Sutherland), had one idea of a way out of the critical situation, while his assistant, Chief Petty Officer Stephen Marick (Jake Lacy), thought exactly the opposite and suspended his superior from command of the "Kane", contravening the regulations. A few months later, Merrick is put on trial led by Luther Blakely (Lance Reddick). The senior officer is charged with mutiny, with the commander acting as one of the witnesses. Lt. Barney Greenwald (Jason Clarke) is assigned to defend Merrick and is forced to attack Quigg in order to exonerate the defendant.

The film premiered in an out-of-competition program at the Venice Film Festival in early September, but the auteur - 87-year-old classicist William Friedkin - didn't live to see the first screening, and the picture has become a testament to the maturing director. In cases like this, even if the last work failed, it's uncomfortable to berate a recently deceased respected director. Fortunately, Friedkin did not fail and to say that the grandfather in his old age has filmed something inarticulate, it is not necessary. No, "court-martial for the mutiny on the "Kane"" - logical point in the author's career.

The courtroom drama is based on Herman Wouk's play of the same name. Wouk adapted his own novel for the theater, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize. In 1954, director Edward Dmytryk adapted the book, and in 1987, Robert Altman made a television movie based on the play. In the original, the events unfolded during World War II, but Friedkin moved the action to the present day.

Filming took place in early 2023, when the director was already feeling not very well. On the set of the director all shooting days backed up Guillermo del Toro, who would have finished the movie if something happened to the elderly master. Not only Friedkin did not live to see the premiere of "Court Martial for the Mutiny on the "Caine", but also the wonderful actor Lance Riddick, star of "The Wire", "OZ Prison" and "John Wick". The movie is dedicated to the artist's memory.

Friedkin all his life went his own way. He did not study at film schools, grew up in a relatively poor non-creative family, and the director's skills learned by working on television. Later, after the success of "The French Connection" and "Exorcising the Devil", Friedkin counted among the New Hollywood, but in fact the director has always remained aloof from any currents. The author's pictures are characterized by ambiguity and provocativeness. It is as if the director refused to take sides and offered the audience to decide. Does Friedkin believe in evil spirits and the devil? Does Friedkin believe it is acceptable for those fighting the drug trade to break the law for a good cause? The questions hang in the air.

"Court Martial" also deceives expectations and does not lend itself to unambiguous interpretation. Formally, it is a judicial drama made according to all canons, and even more intentionally skimpy, television. The trick is that Friedkin's directorial skill is even more noticeable with its numerous limitations. The action almost never leaves the courtroom, the setting is sparse - a map away from the jury table, a few paintings with seascapes on the walls, simple chairs, and the camera does not make any sudden movements. The main attraction is the transitions from close-ups to close-ups at the most tense moments.

The trial is a contest between the prosecution and the defense, so Friedkin acts as a sort of bystander, inviting the audience to pass judgment. The movie becomes an immersive experience. At first, one might think that we are facing another and rather predictable courtroom drama. However, the director is more cunning and inventive and does not reduce the plot to finding out who is right and who is guilty, but sees the situation more broadly.

The picture can be viewed from different angles. On the one hand, the movie shows the imperfection of the management system, and not only in the navy. Maryk claims that during the storm the commander was out of his mind and could not make informed decisions. But on a ship, you can't disobey orders from your superiors. Is the only option to disobey a superior and face trial for mutiny? The scheme of dictatorial management with a demented tyrant at the helm emerges. And given modern realities, it is hard not to see Donald Trump behind the figure of Quigg. The external similarities and manner of speech of the politician and the hero are obvious. "Kaine" turns to modern America, where for at least four years there has been a debate over whether power has fallen into the hands of a madman. Maybe, without Maric being around, the captain would have sunk the ship. But we shouldn't jump to conclusions.

"Court Martial" - a movie that requires from the performers of the main roles of impeccable play. Sutherland appears as a commander with 21 years of experience in the Navy, who quickly gets out of temper, a lot of muttering under his nose, nervous and with difficulty to take away the trembling in his hands. Clark fulfills the role of a lawyer willy-nilly: a professional who is willing to do anything to win, but who does not consider the defendant innocent.

Friedkin's latest movie, chamber, conversational and sparing on artistic means, is captivating and does not let you tear yourself away from the screen. It's already a major directorial victory. The courtroom drama is reminiscent of Frederick Wiseman's documentary work, which meticulously explores the everyday life of various American institutions. Friedkin must have benefited from his experience directing non-fiction films. The picture asks uncomfortable questions and doesn't try to find easy answers. "Court Martial" unexpectedly rethinks the traditional genre and laughs at movie stamps in the form of a search for heroes and villains. You can win with a bitter taste, and lose - with your head held high.