Original subtitles

[man 1] Ready port gun!

[man 2] Ready port gun!

Ready your lines.

Ready your lines!

Sir, will you forgive me?

[man] Have no fear, Mr. Spencer.

God will extend you mercy.

And you, my son.

And you.

-Beat the Call! -[man 2] Beat the Call!

[drum beating "Call to Colors"]

Fire!

[opening theme music playing]

[Sims] It's quite an honor, Colonel--

lecturing at the Naval Academy.

Be more of an honor if I finish writing the lecture

before it's time to start giving it.

Isn't this a bad week to be doing this?

Six days before my wedding,

I was yelling at some caterer about an ice swan.

-Did it help? -Nothing helped...

until I walked into that church

and I saw Bud waiting for me at that altar.

[Harm] An early wedding present, Mac.

-Lieutenant. -Sir.

Printed from microfilm.

Complete coverage of the Somersaffair

in the New York Commercial Advertiser 1842 and 1843.

You know, I could exchange it for a blender.

No, that's very thoughtful of you.

You, of course, know that that's not the real gift.

I know, but you wouldn't happen to have

a lecture in your pocket, would you?

Fascinating case. Wish I could hear what you had to say.

Oh, me, too.

Mmm... the captain's name was Mackenzie?

Alexander Slidell Mackenzie.

Friend of Washington Irving and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow--

an author himself.

Was related by marriage to Commodore Perry.

And to you, ma'am?

No, but the name got me interested.

He had an impeccable reputation as a naval officer.

Well, until his cruise on the USS Somers.

What happened? Shipwreck?

No, worse.

Ready your lines.

[Mackenzie] Beat the call!

Beat the call!

[drum beating "Call to Colors"]

Fire!

Whip!

[knock on door]

Come in.

First Lieutenant Gansevoort

reporting to the Secretary of War.

-At ease, Lieutenant. -Thank you, sir.

You come from the Somers. How is Commander Mackenzie?

Well, sir. We docked in New York on Monday.

You traveled very swiftly to see me.

Why?

Sir, the Commander has sent me to inform you of certain events.

I regret to inform you that our voyage was troubled by... a mutiny.

-Mutiny? -Yes, sir.

And Commander Mackenzie, the ship, are well?

All is well, sir, except for three mutineers who were hanged.

Hanged? Where?

At sea.

It is my sad duty, sir,

to report that one of them... was your son.

Philip?

Sorry, sir.

He led the mutiny.

[Sims] The son of the Secretary of War?

Philip Spencer, bright, but a drinker, a brawler...

He spent three years as a college freshman before being expelled.

His father got him appointed a midshipman just to straighten him out.

[door opens]

Sit. I'm looking for Albritton's Law of the Sea.

Sir, that should be in your office or... right here, sir.

Philip Spencer had been obsessed with pirates since he was a teenager.

His plan, apparently, was to take over the Somers

-and turn it into a pirate ship. -What did he do?

Storm the decks, pistols blazing, swords drawn?

Actually, the mutiny never happened.

The captain must have had good reason to think that it would.

Well, that question was raised by, among others, the Secretary of War.

The Navy convened a court of inquiry.

[Mackenzie] I think you gentlemen for this opportunity

to explain what befell my ship.

Since we embarked New York, 13th September,

last on a training mission for young sailors and officers.

The officers, as a group, I was pleased to receive,

except Midshipman Spencer.

You began the voyage displeased with him, Commander?

I'd heard reports, sir,

of libertine behavior and casual disrespect.

On a previous ship?

Yes. But on the Somers,

I soon saw the character of the man for myself.

[men laughing]

And then she says to me,

"Spencer, where would you bury your chest?"

[laughing]

Mr. Spencer...

report.

Sir?

A Naval officer does not report

to his captain holding a cigar.

Well, it's a fine cigar, sir.

If you refuse to honor your officer's uniform

and properly supervise your men,

I will strip you of it.

And you will clean the deck

and they will smoke cigars.

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

Back to work, or I'll flog you myself.

Get back to work.

You hear the captain, Wales?

He requests I attend better to my duties.

Then perhaps you should.

I'd like to catch him on the roundhouse one night--

plunge him overboard.

Perhaps I shall do that.

Damned if I don't.

Improper and punishable

but he is not the first young officer to denounce his captain.

A few days later, he approached my master-at-arms.

-A fine day, sir. -As you were, sergeant.

Aye, sir.

And a fine a ship with which to enjoy it.

-Nothing in the fleet can catch her. -I suppose not, sir.

But has the Navy a need to catch her own ships?

[chuckles]

I could take her with six men.

You couldn't with three times six.

Six men, sergeant...

providing their leader knows

the lay of the ship as I do.

We would seize the Captain and the officers

and take the arms chest.

And when the rest of the crew see my men in arms,

they will all come over.

The officers have swords, sir.

And your six would have...

We would run them through with their own swords

and heave their bodies into the sea.

Things came to a head a few nights later.

[Irish music playing]

[Spencer] Do you fear death, Wales?

Are you afraid to kill a man?

I don't know, Mr. Spencer.

Is there someone I must kill?

Can you keep a secret?

I can.

I'm planning on taking the ship.

[chuckles]

You cannot be serious?

Good God.

I have 20 men with me.

Their names are on a piece of paper, in secret writing.

Two of them are going to stage a fight on fo'c'sle.

When the officer on the deck comes to settle the matter,

-he will be thrown overboard. -And the other officers?

We will surprise them in their wardroom.

Kill them all there. Call the crew on the deck,

select the ones that we want

and toss the rest over the side.

-Why? -Why?

Why, then we commence cruising for prize vessels.

[chuckles] As pirates?

Yes. Can you imagine a better life, Wales?

Treasure... freedom...

and some of the ships we take will have women.

Will you join us?

It's...

intriguing.

Wales, it would be a waste to throw you overboard.

I want you as my third officer.

We'll talk again.

If you lisp a syllable about this to anyone,

20 men stand ready to put a knife in you, all right?

Nevertheless, Mr. Wales found the courage to report the conversation.

I had Mr. Spencer placed under arrest

and his quarters searched.

Lieutenant Gansevoort found this in his shaving kit.

Written in Greek letters, but easy to decipher

a list of accomplices-- two of whom I also arrested.

Commander, your intentions at the time

were to bring these men home for court martial

as prescribed by the Articles of War?

Yes, sir, but I did not have that luxury.

It seems to me, Commander,

that it is they who were denied a benefit.

Then you, sir, need to understand the situation.

The Somersis swift, but small.

There is no place to hold men under arrest

other than on the deck with the rest of the crew--

some of whom may be their accomplices.

Some of the accomplices we knew,

others we did not.

Overall, the crew became sullen, disobedient.

Whispered conversations broke up when officers approached.

My officers stood double watches.

They grew exhausted...

and they were vulnerable, sir.

And the men under arrest, they remained confident and insolent.

What other explanation

than they were expecting to be rescued?

I referred the matter to a council of my officers

who met independently of me

and concluded we had no other alternative

than to rig the gallows.

That was the most terrible decision of my life.

But I would do it again, sir,

for the sake of my duty to my ship...

to my country...

and to my God.

Commander Mackenzie, we have heard your evidence

and that of your crew and we have concluded

that owing to difficult conditions aboard the USS Somers

and the demonstrated malefactions

of the mutineers aboard her,

your actions were justified in every respect.

We stand adjourned.

[pounds gavel]

I told you, darling, there was nothing to fear.

I had faith in you, Alexander.

I did not know if they would.

Congratulations, sir.

It's been a pleasure serving under you.

Congratulations, sir.

Thank you.

My dear, let's go home.

Forgive me, Commander, if I don't offer my congratulations.

Mr. Secretary, I am sorry.

Things had to turn out as they did.

"Had to," Commander? You had no options?

The court just found that he did not.

With all due respect, ma'am,

your husband's reputation is still at stake.

Sir, I would gladly defend my reputation

in any venue you propose.

Excellent. I propose a court martial.

Allow me to introduce Commander Norris

who will serve as trial council.

Commander. Ma'am.

You would prosecute me, Commander, on what charge?

Among others, three counts of murder, sir.

The Naval Academy exists today, you are at Annapolis today

because of what happened on a training mission

of the USS Somers159 years ago, where the need

for some better method of training

Naval officers was tragically demonstrated.

[chuckles] That's an understatement.

But it's a key point, Mic.

There's so many key points.

I was hoping this would be a relaxing break from planning the wedding.

No worries. It's all under control.

Is it? The caterer called me today about our check.

You delivered it by 5:00, right?

-Right. -Okay, and you faxed

the new song list to the band?

Yeah. More Motown.

And did you call the airline about Chloe flying alone?

-I'll call them tomorrow. -Tomorrow?

Tomorrow. Am I on trial here?

First charge, conduct unbecoming an officer.

Second charge, oppression.

Third charge, unnecessary cruelty.

Fourth charge, illegal punishment.

Fifth charge, murder on board a United States Vessel

on the high seas.

-[judge] How does the defendant plead? -Not guilty.

Will the court admit into evidence the record compiled

-by the court of inquiry-- -No objections.

...whose verdict exonerated my client?

The court may have exonerated him but the record does not.

Commander, shall we proceed to witnesses

and save the argument for later.

Yes, sir. I call Sergeant Michael Garty to the stand.

Sergeant, do you swear that the evidence you give in this case

shall be the truth, the whole truth

and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

-Yes, sir. -Be seated.

Sergeant, the record of the Board of Inquiry

includes an account of a conversation you had

with Midshipman Spencer during which he said

he could take the USS Somers with six men?

That's right, sir. That's what he said.

Sergeant, were you acquainted with Midshipman Spencer before that conversation?

-We all knew him, sir. -By "we" you mean

the common sailors on board the ship?

Yes, sir. Mr. Spencer was quite popular with the men.

Because he was... he was brave?

Because he was strong, an accomplished seaman?

Actually, sir, he gave away a lot of cigars

and shared his rum.

[laughter]

[Norris] Even though Commander Mackenzie

had forbidden tobacco and alcohol to the men?

That's right, sir.

[Norris] Sergeant, was Midshipman Spencer

a natural leader?

One men would follow into action?

Well, they'd follow him into a tavern if he was buying.

Sergeant, Commander Mackenzie's account of your conversation with Mr. Spencer

did not take us to the end of it.

Would you favor us with your own recollection of it?

Yes, sir.

He approached me by the rail.

He told me, like the Captain said,

that he could take the ship with six men.

[Spencer] Six men, sergeant, providing their leader

knew the lay of the ship as I do.

[chuckles] Oh, I hardly think so, sir.

Be sure of it.

And, sir, you may be sure that when the crew turns up,

they will toss you and your six overboard--

or we would be a very poor crew.

But once we have the arms...

But how would you get the arms, sir?

I have the key to the chest.

If you joined us, sergeant...

[laughing]

Excuse me, sir.

[laughing]

-And you laughed? -I couldn't help myself, sir.

It seemed so ridiculous.

Thank you, sergeant.

Sergeant Garty, have you ever heard of the HMS Bounty?

Of course, sir.

There was a mutiny on that ship.

And the mutiny aboard the HMS Hermione?

Every sailor knows of it, sir.

The captain of the Hermione was slaughtered,

-along with eight of his officers. -Yes, sir.

Do you think any of the mutineers might have mentioned their plans

to fellow crew members before they began killing people?

I don't know, sir. I wasn't there.

No. You were only aboard the Somers,

listening to Midshipman Spencer make dire threats

and laughing.

How ridiculous might his words

have seemed to you, sergeant,

after the captain was run through

with his own sword

and his body heaved into the sea?

Mr. Wales, you occupied the position of Purser's Steward?

[Wales] That's right, sir.

As such, what were your duties aboard the Somers?

Bookkeeping, mostly, sir. Handling the ship's accounts.

Logging purchases from the ship's stores.

Like cigars and rum Mr. Spencer gave to the crew?

Yes, sir.

When Mr. Spencer approached you

about being part of his mutiny,

how long had you been at sea?

The Somerscruise was my second, sir.

I'd been under sail a total of six months.

Mr. Wales, do you know how to navigate?

-No, sir. -Organize a watch list?

-No, sir. -But you do know how to keep accounts?

-Yes, sir. -What was your reaction

when Mr. Spencer approached you about being part of his mutiny?

Fear, sir.

And I'm not afraid to admit it.

-Fear? Not confusion? -Sir?

Why would Mr. Spencer recruit a bookkeeper

to be third in command of a pirate ship?

Did he intend to capture the other vessels

by subtracting their guns from them?

-[laughter] -I-I admit, sir, I wondered myself.

As well you might have.

Your witness.

But then I remembered--

Oh... Oh, am I finished?

No, Mr. Wales, please, continue.

Then I remember that when Mr. Spencer spoke to me,

Sergeant Garty was ill.

I was the acting master-at-arms.

So you had the key to the arms chest?

That's right, sir.

So, things are clear after all.

Thank you, Mr. Wales.

Ma'am.

You're making much work of this.

I did not seek the job, ma'am.

-The job sought me. -The "job"?

You're trying to destroy my husband. You should be honoring him.

-Everyone should. -And someone needs to speak

for the men who died.

Mutineers.

Have you ever captained a ship, Commander?

-No. -Commanded men under arms?

-No. -Been to sea?

For a while.

Commander Mackenzie went to sea at the age of 11.

He's commanded men and ships in peace and war

and you question his actions

from the safety of a courtroom?

How do you think you can begin to understand?

[man] I killed them, sir.

Begging your pardon, sir.

[Norris] You killed whom?

Mr. Spencer and the others.

I was on the lines.

[drums beating]

[Mackenzie] Fire!

Whip!

[Norris] You were compelled.

I hope God sees it that way, sir.

How goes it with the Captain? Will you hang him?

That will be up to the panel.

-Do you know about the flogging, sir? -I've seen the log.

At least one or two men every day, sir. Twelve lashes at a time.

For skulking, being dirty, spilling tea on the deck.

Tell them. Tell the judges.

It may do no good.

Then show them, sir.

For washing clothes without permission.

Son, if I showed this to the court,

it may make them believe the crew was prepared to mutiny.

I never heard talk of no mutiny, sir.

Not from Mr. Spencer, not from anybody.

And if you did, would you have joined them?

Those men didn't deserve to die, sir.

Do something.

Please, sir.

Ma'am, your schedule.

They're expecting you at the Naval Academy tomorrow night

to speak about the Somersmutiny the next morning at 0900.

46 hours and 11 minutes.

How do you do that, ma'am?

-Thank you, Gunny. -Excuse me, Colonel?

About your transportation to Annapolis, ma'am.

Do you need the duty driver?

-I'll take my own vehicle. -Do you need the travel claim

-for mileage reimbursement? -No. Yes, but not now.

So...

Innocent or guilty?

-Who? -Your great-grandfather,

the captain of the Somers.

He's not my great-grandfather.

Are you sure?

You know, I still have a lot of work left to do.

Is there anything else you want?

Yeah. You're headed down the home stretch

and I just wondered if everything was okay.

With... the lecture?

Come on, Mac. At your engagement party.

You know, with us. I overstepped the boundaries of a well-wisher.

I overstepped the bounds of a bride.

So we're okay?

I think so.

You okay?

I... I just need to finish this lecture.

[Norris] You're familiar with

-Naval regulations? -[Gansevoort] I am, sir.

Including regulations for the Navy Marine Corps

published in February 1841?

I am, sir.

[Norris] Do those regulations provide

that persons accused of crimes have the right

to appear before the tribunal judging them

to confront witnesses against them

and to make a case in their own defense?

I believe they do, sir.

And were these rights extended

to Midshipman Philip Spencer

and the two men hanged with him aboard the USS Somers?

We did the best we could, sir, under the circumstances.

The best you could?

That must mean the council of officers

-convened by Commander Mackenzie? -Yes, sir.

We met and carefully considered their case.

Without the accused men being present.

Without the accused men even knowing

they were being judged.

They were not present during our deliberations, sir,

but I did conduct an interview with Mr. Spencer after his arrest.

[Norris] While he was confined

in irons...

on the deck?

Yes, sir.

And what he had to say was very incriminating.

I cannot help it, sir.

-Help what? -Plotting mutinies.

-You've done this before? -Yes, sir.

On the John Adams, on the Potomac.[chuckles]

To turn them into pirate ships also?

I have had not a great success on land, sir.

I imagine a larger way to live--

on the sea, my own master.

It is a fantasy, Mr. Spencer,

and a dangerous one.

I cannot stop. I have tried, but I cannot.

It's a mania with me.

John Adamsand the Potomac--

they were the other ships Mr. Spencer had served on.

Yes, sir, and he plotted mutinies on both by his own admission.

Lieutenant, was there ever a mutiny

on the John Adams or the Potomac?

-No, sir. -And for that matter,

there wasn't even a mutiny on the Somers,was there?

Because we prevented it, sir.

Oh, yes... your evidence.

The list in Greek characters of Mr. Spencer's accomplices.

Three columns... first, "certain," second, "doubtful"

third, "to be kept with us, willing or not."

Would you read the list of the "certain" accomplices, please?

Mr. Spencer himself.

I would hope so.

Elisha Small, the quartermaster.

Who was arrested and hanged with Spencer.

Daniel McKinley.

Arrested later and is awaiting trial.

Purser's Steward Wales.

Wales was the man who turned Spencer in.

Spencer thought he could trust him, sir.

Very well. Continue with the "certain" list.

That is all.

So, he had three certain accomplices

among a crew of 120, and one of the three

was the man who betrayed the plot.

We were in a dangerous situation, sir.

[Norris] Commander Mackenzie apparently felt that way.

Didn't he instruct you to make sure that the council of officers

would recommend hanging the three men arrested?

He only instructed me to make sure

that all the evidence was considered.

He was the captain. It was his option to run things as he saw fit.

-Including your testimony here, Lieutenant? -No, sir.

Well, hasn't the captain recommended your promotion?

I object. The question is not relevant,

whether it's true or not.

It's relevant if Commander Mackenzie

has influence over his officers to do his bidding for him.

Your Honor, this is outrageous.

It is allowed. The witness may deny it.

The captain did honor me

by commending me to the Navy Department,

but for merit, sir.

Apparently the USS Somers was a veritable wonderland

of excellent sailing.

Commander Mackenzie has recommended promotions

for every officer on the ship--

except the ones he hanged.

He was supposed to be one of our finest officers.

I actually wanted my son to go to sea under him.

You could not have foreseen what happened, sir.

Well, I knew my son wasn't perfect, Commander.

I even heard him speak of becoming a pirate

but I wasn't a big enough fool to believe him.

It seems others believed him as well.

A ship commanded by a Muhammadan

will become a nest of Muhammadans.

A captain has influence over the minds of his men.

Apparently, Commander Mackenzie did not have

much influence over your son, sir.

That would have been a strong point in Philip's favor...

if it hadn't killed him.

[Norris] Your Honor, I call Mrs. Alexander Mackenzie

-to the stand. -The defendant's wife?

Your honor, she cannot testify against her husband.

She cannot testify to anything confided to her by her spouse

but anything said or done with a third party present

is already not confidential.

True, but this is still distasteful.

It is my right, Your Honor.

Mr. Griffin may cross-examine if he chooses.

[Griffin] I do not choose.

Mrs. Mackenzie,

would you please take the stand?

Do you swear that the evidence

you give in this case shall be the truth,

the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

-so help you God? -I do.

Please be seated.

Mrs. Mackenzie, while this court was in recess,

were you present during a conversation

between Commander Mackenzie

and First Lieutenant Gansevoort?

Were you spying on us, sir?

You made no attempt to conceal yourselves, ma'am.

Because there was no reason to hide.

Ma'am, what did the two men say?

Of you, sir, nothing nice.

[chuckling]

Well, I'm not surprised your husband's officers

refuse to give me interviews.

Your Honor, there must be some showing of relevance here.

I will make it apparent, sir.

Ma'am, have you ever heard your husband

or any of his officers discuss the testimony

they'll give in this court?

-I believe I have. -Did your husband

ever make suggestions as to how his officers

-should testify? -He did not.

Did any of the officers ever express a desire

to protect Commander Mackenzie?

They did not.

Would you tell us if they did?

Are you now suggesting that I, too, am part of some conspiracy of silence?

No, ma'am, it's only natural.

You dolove your husband, don't you?

Ma'am... I-I only asked if you loved your husband.

You are under oath.

I don't know.

You don't know what, love?

-Morning, Colonel. -Morning, sir.

Looking a little ragged, there.

Oh, jeez, not something you should say to a bride-to-be.

I've been having strange dreams, sir, about the USS Somers.

Making it personal.

You're dreaming about taking over a ship becoming a pirate?

Beginning to seem like an attractive option, sir.

Mac, it's just pre-wedding jitters.

Now, I remember the week before my wedding...

Well, actually, I don't, but I'm sure I was miserable.

The marriage damn sure was.

Hmm, that's another thing you don't want to say

-to a bride-to-be. -To a bride-to-be.

Mac.

Can we talk?

Why not?

Mac, I value you as a friend...

or whatever.

I know.

But most of all, I respect you

and you've made a choice to get married

and I respect that.

There's a lot of respect going on there, Harm.

You have the right to be happy

and, you know, whatever's going on between us

or not going on, I mean, between us...

I... [sniggers] I want you to be happy.

Even if I'm happy with Brumby?

[exhales]

[Norris] Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth,

the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

-I do. -Be seated.

Commander Mackenzie,

when you first heard from Purser's Steward Wales

about the mutinous plot led by Midshipman Spencer,

what did you think?

I assumed Mr. Spencer had been reading piratical stories

and had amused himself with Mr. Wales.

So you didn't take him seriously?

Mmm, at first, no.

What caused you to change your mind?

I kept a watch on Mr. Spencer. I made inquiries among the men.

I learned he had been asking

about the accuracy of the ship's chronometer,

the basis of the ship's navigation system.

I heard he'd been seen in secret conversations

with malcontents among the crew.

He'd made a drawing of a pirate ship,

and he had inquired into the Isle of Pines

a well-known gathering spot for pirates,

and he had remarked, sir,

that it would give him great pleasure

to roll me from the round top.

So, you arrested him,

but even then you intended to return him to the United States for trial,

did you not, in accordance with the Regulations for the Navy and Marine Corps?

-[Mackenzie] Yes. -[Griffin] Until, as you told the court of inquiry,

you feared an imminent uprising

to seize the prisoners and take the ship?

Yes. Executing the prisoners made that impossible.

None of the other members of the plot

had sufficient knowledge to handle the ship,

one of the reasons my officers

independently recommended the execution.

[Griffin] Sir, on your way home from the Western Atlantic,

did you spy any merchant ships?

Many, all of whom may very well had suffered pillage and rape

had I not done what I did.

[Griffin] Thank you, Commander.

I have no further questions.

"It would have given him pleasure

to roll you from the round top."

He asked about the chronometer and directions to the Isle of Pines.

He drew a picture of a pirate ship?

Well, there was more, sir.

His conversation with Wales.

Which you thought a fantasy. That's what you said.

I said, at first.

Shall we go in circles all day, sir?

[Norris] Can you identify this?

That is a watch bill for the execution, prepared by me.

The date, sir.

Thirty, November.

So, the day before

your independent council of officers

recommended an execution,

you had made arrangements for it.

[Mackenzie] I did not ask them to recommend hanging

but I believed the facts would lead them there.

You said the decision to hang Spencer and the others

was the most terrible of your life.

Yes.

That was a terrible day.

Mr. Spencer.

I've come to inform you your fellow officers

have reached a decision.

Your life is forfeit to your country.

When?

In an hour.

I... I am not ready to die, Captain.

Now is the time to set an example, Mr. Spencer,

as an officer to the men you corrupted.

"A terrible day."

Yet shortly after you returned to New York,

you proposed your nephew be appointed midshipman

the position made vacant by Mr. Spencer's death.

You cannot be suggesting, sir,

that I hanged Mr. Spencer to give my nephew a job.

No, I'm questioning whether it was necessary to hang Spencer at all.

Well, there is no doubt.

You were less than two days' sail from Antigua.

Why not sail there, unload the accused men

until they could be shipped home for trial?

[Mackenzie] Heading towards any foreign port would've been

a sign of weakness and may very well have inspired the mutiny I sought to prevent.

Is that what you were afraid of,

or were you afraid

that Mr. Spencer might not hang at all?

Are you not going too far, Captain?

You did not consult me

when making arrangements for your mutiny, Mr. Spencer.

Does the law justify you?

You may think not

but I hardly think you can be objective.

This will kill my mother.

The scandal will surely tar my father.

If you had succeeded in your mutiny, Mr. Spencer,

it would've been a greater scandal,

as would taking you home.

How? How will taking me home for trial harm him?

He is your father.

He would interfere to save you.

[Norris] That's what you were afraid of--

your hasty judgment might be overturned.

I only meant by interfering

the Secretary of War would dishonor himself.

So you hanged his son to save the Secretary's reputation?

No, I hanged his son because the threat of mutiny was real.

-You were still the captain. -The men were plotting.

Your officers had all the guns.

-They were exhausted. -Were you exhausted?

I made do with little sleep for many days.

Might that have affected your state of mind?

Sir, you were not there.

Well, you were missing sleep.

You heard tall tales of mutiny and pirates.

You saw plotters behind every timber.

Are you suggesting I was deluded?

I'm suggesting you were afraid.

Sir, if we were not in this setting--

Commander, I'm not in irons.

You might find me more difficult to do in than Mr. Spencer.

It is time.

I am Christian, sir.

Do you think there may be repentance for me at this late hour?

Our savior pardoned the thief on the cross.

Will you pardon me, Captain?

Your mutiny, Mr. Spencer, would've started with my death.

I don't hate you.

It was my fancy... to become a pirate.

I thought it an adventure, a noble adventure.

Noble, Mr. Spencer?

Aye, sir.

I'm sorry, Captain.

You may think me a coward

but judge me again after you see how I die.

[Griffin] The question before you

is not whether mutiny was afoot aboard the USS Somers

but whether the captain of the Somers

acted honestly, to his own best judgment

without corrupt motive, when he concluded there was.

We must put ourselves in his place.

Scanning the disaffected faces of the crew,

breathing the atmosphere of tension and mistrust

struggling to confine the arrested men on a ship so small

they could not be separated from a mass of men

who might at any moment act to free them.

Did Commander Mackenzie act precipitously?

Ask the captain of the Bounty

or of the Hermione, if he had survived,

whether it is reasonable to hesitate

in the face of such a threat.

Commander Mackenzie honored his duty to his ship

its innocent crew members

and an untold number of merchant ships.

He did not have the leisure to question his own decisions.

Neither should we.

What kind of Navy do we want?

One where a captain

caught up in rumor and random act

can, without proof or trial, snuff out the lives of men

given no opportunity to defend themselves?

Or, one where all men are treated fairly,

command bows to decency

and law is honored above the noose?

Warship captains for centuries

have made themselves into kings afloat

and in that tradition, Commander Mackenzie acted.

But this nation fought a revolution to rid itself of a king

and its Navy should reflect the principles

we bled and died for

and not the despotism that we overthrew.

I respectfully ask you

to send that message now to Commander Mackenzie

and to future generations of officers

in the United States Navy.

Commander Mackenzie, you will rise.

On the first charge against you, conduct unbecoming an officer,

this court martial finds the case not proven.

On the second charge, oppression,

this court martial finds the case not proven.

On the third charge, unnecessary cruelty,

this court martial finds the case not proven.

On the fourth charge, illegal punishment,

this court martial finds the case not proven.

On the fifth charge,

murder onboard a United States vessel on the high seas,

this court martial finds the case not proven.

[Brumby] Ready to go?

You okay?

Yeah, yeah, I'm... I'm finished.

Great. How'd the trial end?

Uh... not guilty on all counts.

Must have been a relief for the captain.

Not entirely.

It was customary back then to commend an officer

who was acquitted of misconduct

to clear his reputation completely.

Commander Mackenzie's court martial

specifically stated it was not commending him.

A slap in the face.

[MacKenzie] He never really recovered.

Died five years later at the age of 45.

The Somerssank two years before that in the Mexican War.

Well, if we leave now, we can be in Annapolis for dinner.

Well, uh... knock 'em dead.

[closing theme music playing]