The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial

William Friedkin's final film is an updated to the present adaptation of Herman Wouk's famous tale. It's based more on the Stage play version rather than the novel and Friedkin (who did the adaptation) doesn't 'open it up' for the screen; Rather, he keeps the focus on the text and the performers.

It's a strong cast with Jake Lacy as the accused, Maryk, Monica Raymund as the Prosecutor and Kiefer Sutherland as Commander Queeg. Sutherland occasionally overplays the neurosis, but it's a good performance. Jason Clarke as the Defense counsel, Greenwald, is superb.

The late Lance Reddick plays Blakely the head Judge. It was nice to see Reddick get a full card dedication at the end of the picture*. A double dedication in this case, along with Friedkin, certainly. It's appropriate in a way that Friedkin would finish with a legal thriller, as his breakthrough was a hard-hitting 1962 crime Documentary The People Vs. Paul Crump.

I feel privileged to have met both men. A hearty RIP to each of them.

* Apparently, there are a couple of more performances by Reddick still to be released.