"Alright Mr. Maryk, which are you, a fool or a mutineer, there's no third possibility."

Rating: 8/10 (6 August 2006)

Though most of the action takes place aboard a mine sweeper in the 'junkyard Navy', the real drama occurs in the tense courtroom scene and it's aftermath in "The Caine Mutiny". The spiral of events that result in Captain Queeg's (Humphrey Bogart) mental breakdown at first has the viewer sympathizing with Communications Officer Keefer (Fred MacMurray) and Executive Officer Maryk (Van Johnson). That however is turned entirely on it's head by the cunning insight of defense attorney Greenwald (Jose Ferrer) once the military trial is over. The film will test your willingness to accept first impressions and brings to mind that things are not always what they seem.
The military court scene is brilliantly done. When Queeg reaches for the steel worry beads, the sound of the metal clacking will be enough to create the doubt needed in the minds of the military judges as to his fitness for command. Up to that point though, it looked like Queeg's service reputation was a slam dunk to send Maryk and Ensign Keith (Robert Francis) to a court martial or worse.
Here's a question - when Bogey's character becomes determined to expose the strawberry thief on board ship, where did he get sand from to conduct the experiment? Why not sugar, it was already part of the mess menu. Just wondering.
Seeing Lee Marvin and Claude Akins in non-descript early roles as 'Meatball' and 'Horrible' aboard the mine sweeper was a treat for this viewer, along with the uncredited appearance of character actor James Best. Fine performances are also put in by E.G. Marshall as Commander Challee at the trial, and Tom Tully who book ends his role in the film as Commander DeVriess.
Humphrey Bogart's performance as the tortured Queeg earned a Best Actor nomination, and in fact was his most stirring performance in a military themed film. Apart from his gangster persona, Bogey also did quite well in "Action in the North Atlantic" (1943); "Sahara" (1943); and "Battle Circus" (1953). All are recommended by this fan of the actor.