The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial

By: Herman Wouk

Narrated by: full cast

This acclaimed World War II psychological court room drama was the sensation of 1954. The play portrays a mutiny of naval officers aboard the U.S.S. Caine. Their suspicions concerning their captain's sanity lead to their rebellion and a subsequent court-martial.

Starring (in alphabetical order):
Nat Benchley as Captain Randolph Southard and the Court Stenographer
Doug Brown as Signalman Third Class Junius Urban and Dr. Allen Winston Bird
David Fendig as Lt. Stephen Maryk
Bill Grimmette as Lt. (Jr. Grade) Willis Seward Keith and Dr. Forrest Lundeen
Mitchell Hebert as Lt. Commander John Challee
Bill Largess as Lt. Thomas Keefer
Dan Lauria as Captain Blakely
David Selby as Lt. Commander Philip Francis Queeg
Josh Stamberg as Lt. Barney Greenwald

Public Domain (P)2001 L.A. Theatre Works

Enjoyed the Book, the Movie and this radio Drama!

What made the experience of listening to The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial the most enjoyable?

I had read the book and watched the movie. The book had much more detail and was well-told, but the movie added visual elements, and the play crystallised it into sharper focus. I would recommend all three -- it's fascinating how the different media portray the same tale.

What did you like best about this story?

It's not the sort of thing I usually read, watch, or listen to, but a good story well told is always worth my time, and this one made me think about many things -- the way people interact with each other, legal systems, war in general, those who serve in the military, and more.

What about Full Cast’s performance did you like?

Just excellent performances all around. Each role was well-played, and I felt as if I was listening to a live broadcast of a real court-martial.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I did, except when I had to break to meet some friends for lunch.

Great Dramatization For the Play

Would you consider the audio edition of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Dramatized) to be better than the print version?

Most Definitely. The voice actors really bring Wouk's play to life. If only we could get an audio version of the full novel, though...

What did you like best about this story?

Hard to say.

Which character – as performed by Full Cast – was your favorite?

As with the full novel, Queeg. He is so pathetic that you really feel sorry for him.

Great story

I read this book in high school and recall how much fun it was. Hearing it on audible though reminds me of "A Few Good Men". Tremendous cast, and still an amazing story!

Great story.

It's 3am and I should be sleeping but started listening and got so involved I had to finished. Thank God for LA Theatre Works for this production. Great story and great performances.

Well Done - and better than the movie!

Better than the movie (which I loved) because (1) there is no corny romance element to the story; and, more importantly, (2) the defending attorney does not shame the aspiring novelist for having undermined the Captain, but he rather shames the aspiring novelist for having effectively removed a mine sweeper during the most dangerous period of the War in the Pacific. This slight variance is important and it makes it clear that the stakes were super high and the impact of such a mutiny had the potential impact on more than just the reputation of a distinguished captain, but rather on the outcome of the war. Based on this, I am inspired to read Woulk's Winds of War and War and Rememberance.

Not much to add

Just wanted to say I agree with the other 5-star reviewers. Most of the LATheaterworks productions are great, and this is one of the best. I've never seen the movie so I can't compare, but on its own, this play was incredibly entertaining and engrossing. One of the best courtroom dramas of all time.

Hard-hitting leadership and followership lesson

Brilliantly structured court room drama depicting realistic leadership and followership quandaries. Stunning conclusion has me re-evaluating my own leadership choices. Definitely a must-listen, particularly for young military leaders.

A modern day mutiny

This is a dramatization of the book Caine Mutiny. It is a short play that kept me glued to my IPod. This story makes a nice break between long complicated books. I remember the movie with Humphrey Bogart as Captain Queeg. Herman Wouk based the story on some of his experiences in the navy but it is a novel. The court room drama is riveting and Wouk builds his characters through the testimony given. This book is a classic.

Get the movie

Not sure what it was, but I loved the movie, and liked the audible of the book but this radio dramatization(based on the book) didn't work for me. Get the movie--and Mr. Roberts while you are at it.
And for great audible of Herman Wouk, get Winds of War and War&Remembrance, you won't be disappointed.