The Caine Mutiny

1
The Caine Mutiny

• Edward Dmytryk

2
Background

• Based on 1951 Pulitzer Prize winning novel
• Herman Wouk
• Personal experiences on destroyer-minesweeper in
  Pacific during WW II
• Deals with moral and ethical decision of ship
  captains at sea

3
What is a Mutiny?

• noun
• 1. revolt or rebellion against constituted
  authority, especially by sailors against their
  officers.
• 2. rebellion against any authority.
• Used in the legal sense in the book/film

4
Film

• USS Caine obsolete WWI warship converted into a
  mine sweeper
• Located in Pearl Harbor
• Told through the story of Williewhy? What lens
  does he offer that other dont?
• Our job as audience to question authority and
  rationality of captains and crewwho is in the
  right?
• Typhoon December, 1944

5
FVD 1Things to Notice

• Tone of music in opening credits and
  throughoutwhat feeling is being developed?
• Dissolve from girl (May) at graduation to
  clarinet player
• How can you tell Mays conflicted interest in
  Willie during the bar scene?
• What can you imply happened to Willies father
  based on interaction with mother at dock scene?
• Use of low angle to show mastwhy?

6
FVD 1Post-Viewing QuestionsAnswer three in at
least three complete sentences. Be sure to use
details from the film!

• What tone is developed by way of the music. Why
  is this tone important?
• How can you tell Mays conflicted interest in
  Willie during the bar scene?
• What can you imply happened to Willies father
  based on interaction with mother at dock scene?
• Use of low angle to show mastwhy?
• What is the attitude of the captain? What do you
  think about him as a leader?

7
FVD 2Things to Notice

• The irony of the shirttails issue versus the
  towline cable
• How is the character of Captain Queed developed?
• Use of the telegram scrolled across the
  screeneffect?
• How is tension built during the attack scene?
• Positioning of Marek when he defends Capt. Queed.
  What is the mise-en-scene? What details are
  important to the scene and what hes doing?

8
FVD 2Post-Viewing QuestionsAnswer three in at
least three complete sentences. Be sure to use
details from the film!

• Describe the new captain. How does he compare
  with the former captain? What does the crew think
  of him? How do you know?
• Which of the characters do you think will mutiny?
  Which onesif any, do you think will defend the
  captain, and why?
• What evidence do you have that tension is rising?
• Describe the positioning of Marek when he defends
  Capt. Queed. What is the mise-en-scene? What
  details are important to the scene and what hes
  doing?

9
FVD 3Things to Notice

• Use of Mareks journal entry with flashbackshow
  is this effective?
• Ariel shot of activity on aircraft carrier
• Change of music with the typhoon
• Use of model boat in storm scene
• How does Queeg feel during the storm? How do you
  know?
• Juxtaposition of the line Were not in any
  trouble and the next scene.

10
FVD 3Post-Viewing QuestionsAnswer three in at
least three complete sentences. Be sure to use
details from the film!

• Use of Mareks journal entry with flashbackshow
  is this effective? What other ways could this
  have been shown (consider time here)? Why do you
  think Dmytryk chose to use flashbacks?
• Describe Mareks initial difficulty in turning
  Queeg in. What changed his mind?
• What is your opinion of Queeg as a captain? Do
  you think he is fit to lead the Caine?

11
FVD 3Things to Notice

• Close-ups on Queegs hands and face during trial
  scene. When does the face close-up happen? Why
  then?
• Scene directly after trialwhat can you guess the
  outcome was based on tone of scene?
• Why does the lawyer (Mr. Greenwald) feel guilty?
  What does he do to show this guilt?
• Willies interactions with former captain when he
  returns.
• Mise-en-scene of the Caine as it sails out of
  port during final shot.

12
FVD 4Post-Viewing QuestionsAnswer three in at
least three complete sentences. Be sure to use
details from the film!

• Describe the camera work during the trial scene.
  (Be specific!!)
• Why does the lawyer (Mr. Greenwald) feel guilty?
  What does he do to show this guilt? Do you agree
  with his reasoning? Why?
• Explain how Willie has grown as a Navy Officer,
  especially as it relates to his interactions with
  former captain.
• Describe the mise-en-scene of the Caine as it
  sails out of port during final shot.