This is the type of movie where you will probably know if it's your jam or not based purely on the title and genre. If you like small-scale courtroom dramas you will probably enjoy it, if you don't you won't.
I really do like these types of movies, but never caught the original of this one, so it was interesting and compelling, thought I knew where they were going but it split slightly from expectations. Nothing too fancy, but a great platform for the actors to give long, detailed courtroom monologues. With Kiefer Sutherland of all people delivering the most impressive one and Jason Clarke taking runner up.
Also always a pleasure to savor one of the last performances of Lance Reddick.
A hardcore courtroom movie, where the whole plot is developed inside the courtroom, as if we were spectators at the trial. Everything in the movie takes place through stories, reports and questions, there are no external scenes or visual references, which makes the movie more difficult for audiences who want more scenes and dynamics, but more enjoyable for those who like a script based entirely on a great text and fabulous performances that enhance the movie. Even though it's based on reports, it's a gripping movie with some very tense moments.
Loved it. Well done. They can reshuffle the cast and do Mister Roberts next.
A brilliant consideration of what happens when reason is strictly applied without account for shifting context, perspective and framing. The acting can't quite live up to the power of the writing, but that won't surprise anyone.
Review by Alexandra EBlockedParent2023-10-12T05:29:55Z
This version is ridiculous.
First, preface my review with I served, and I've read the book and seen the play on stage and a couple of the other film versions.
They move this to current times. No way this happens in today's Navy. The Navy has been very careful to prevent this kind of paranoia from making ranks for decades and they weed out pretty quickly. Even if they were to make it to XO or CO, in this kind of case, Queeg would be quietly retired, full retirement pay, no notations in his record. As they say in the movie, he would be "beached ".
The comment and calling out of the author/officer wouldn't happen. In the military now, they're expected to recognize unlawful orders and a lot of what was done in the book and presented in the follow up play, would never be allowed in today's Navy. It's absurd to try to transfer the old standards how the Navy was in WWII to what it is now. JOs and enlisted would know some of the demands are illegal orders in today's military.
The story is completely fabricated. There was no mutiny on any US Naval vessel in WWII. There has never been one before or after. The weird part in this version is referencing another time. I'm guessing they thought that was a "wave" at the original book timing. But it deflates the whole point of the book which was whether or not a mutiny would ever be justified. A nod to a previous deflates the question you're supposed to ponder.
I gave it a 4. I like these kinds of movies, but I can't stand when they try to update an old dog to a new version with clearly no advice from anyone who would know the current circumstances and write it in the correct context.