The curtain has officially drawn on the career of the greatWilliam Friedkinfollowingthe release of his final film,The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. His last turn behind the camera starredKiefer Sutherlandasa naval captain who was deposed from his positionas the head of the Caine as they believed his behavior endangered everyone on board. For both actor and director, it was a team-up they could only dream of. Collider is excited to share an exclusive featurette, available with the purchase of the film, that sees Sutherland expressing hislove for the late directorand what it meant to be in one of his films.
In the footage, Sutherland describes his choice to join the project as more about joining forces with Friedkin than performingHerman Wouk’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. “He’s been my favorite American director, well, you know, since I can remember,” the24star said. Specifically, he praised Friedkin’s understanding of thethriller and drama genres, something the Oscar winner masteredbetween his landmark filmsThe ExorcistandThe French Connectionand continued to work in throughout his career. Playing the mentally unstable Lt. Commander Queeg was merely the cherry on top for Sutherland who finally got to fulfill a dream of his. One final shot from the featurette goes behind the scenes as Sutherland shakes Friedkin’s hand and shares a kind word with him.
Friedkintragically passed away at the age of 87 back in August, but he made his feelings about Sutherland very clear when bringing him aboardThe Caine Mutiny. Speaking toDeadlineat the time, he had the highest praise for the actor, noting how he was one of his top targets to add to his star-studded cast. “I think he is one of the best actors in America, one of the very best,” Friedkin said. “I sawevery episode of his show24. I thought he was just great but that he could do a lot more, and this gives him an opportunity to stretch.”
Who Else Joins Sutherland in ‘The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial’?
For his final film, Friedkin had no shortage of A-listers packing the courtroom ofThe Caine Mutiny. Fresh off ofhisOppenheimerappearance,Jason Clarkestarred opposite Sutherland as Lt. Greenwald, an attorney who reluctantly defendsJake Lacy’s Lt. Maryk, the officer responsible for stripping command from Queeg aboard the Caine. It slowly becomes apparent to Greenwald that Maryk’s actions weren’t mutinous, but heroic to save his crewmates during a violent storm.Presiding over the caseisthe lateLance Reddickas Cpt. Blakely whileMonica Raymundplays the lead prosecutor against Maryk, Lt. Commander Challee. Rounding out the cast are a few other big names includingJay Duplass,Lews Pullman, andTom Riley.
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martialis available to stream now on Paramount+ with Showtime, and is available to purchase on Digital now. Check outour review of Friedkin’s final film hereand watch the exclusive featurette with Sutherland below.
