The Caine Mutiny (1954)

Humphrey Bogart plays the unbalanced captain of the Navy battleship, the Caine, in this WWII film based on a Pulitzer winning book written by Herman Wouk.  It's not so much a war movie as a drama that challenges the concept of "the chain of command" and if there's ever a time to break that chain.  Fred MacMurray plays the most devious role in the film as the ship's "little devil", you know the one sitting on your shoulder whispering of betrayal.  Van Johnson is the honest man, a leader in his own right that must look out for the crew.  But funny enough none of these men are the main character, Robert Francis is the the book's eyes and ears as the one who bares witness to all that happens.   Then there's Jose Farmer as the lawyer at the end of the film, a man with a golden voice who knows how to argue against his own reservations.  There's even Lee Marvin in a small but memorable role as one of the deck hands.  Overall a decent film and well-worth an evening of movie watching, especially if you enjoy Mr. Bogart.  Grade: B+.