“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial”, interview with production designer Kirk Petruccelli

September 5, 2023

Kirk Petruccelli, production designer of "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial", talks to FRED about the last film directed by William Friedkin

"The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial", interview with production designer Kirk Petruccelli David Martos

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Interview during the 80th edition of Venice International Film Festival with Kirk Petruccelli, production designer of the film out of competition “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial”, directed by late William Friedkin. The movie is based on the play by Herman Wouk, that led to a classical film in 1954 starred by Humphrey Bogart.

During the conversation, the production designes remembers his work with Mr. Friedkin (famous by ‘The exorcist’ or ‘French connection’), how they chose the look of the main set of the film and how he worked with the director of photography and the costume designer to build the classical feel of the movie.

“The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” depicts a military trial against an officer that forced the captain of his ship to step down in the middle of a cyclone. Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Lacy and Lance Reddick are some of the stars in the movie, that revolves around the trial room and will be available in Showtime and Paramount+.

Plot

When a U.S. Naval captain shows signs of mental instability that jeopardizes the safety of his ship, the first officer relieves him of command and faces court-martial for mutiny. Greenwald, a skeptic lawyer, reluctantly defends Maryk, an officer of the navy who took control of the vessel from its dominant captain Queeg whilst caught in a violent sea storm. Greenwald becomes increasingly concerned as the court martial proceeds and questions if the Caine were a true mutiny or simply the courageous acts of a group of sailors that could not trust their unstable leader.

Written by: David Martos

Mostra del Cinema di Venezia. Out of Competition