Mutiny

This important story about black seaman given dangerous duty loading bombs aboard ships is most definitely one that should be told. Although the script and acting are certainly adequate, the story would be better told as an hour-long documentary rather than a two-hour, commercial filled made-for-tv movie. I'm glad I was exposed to the story.

On July 17, 1944 an explosion at Port Chicago in California killed over 300 men and wounded over 300 others. "Mutiny" is about the Naval seamen who opted not to continue loading ammunition in the dangerous fashion they were loading it in light of the explosion that had just occurred.

1944 wasn't the safest time for African Americans in this country, even in California. As "Mutiny" details, many of the sailors wanted to participate in the war beyond just doing grunt work, but grunt work is all they were allowed to do regardless of their talents. When the men, led by Ben Cooper (Michael Jai White), refused to obey orders to load ammunition in their new port, they were all court marshalled.

The movie lacks the grit and intensity it would have if it weren't a TV movie, but the point was still conveyed. The Navy cut corners and generally didn't care when it came to their Black sailors. They were probably forcing everyone, Black and White, to work harder, faster, and less safely, but it was doubly so for the Black sailors. This is a movie to appreciate if only for its educational value. How many people even know about this tragic explosion at Port Chicago? I didn't know about it and I live about 45 minutes away! I liked the movie even if the outcome wasn't the happiest, but that's life; especially in 1944.