i can not improve on or add much to the very fine review already on this thred . one aspect of the film i find very interesting and perhaps crucial to it impact represent do colonel ( ex general ) mitchell accomplish what he set out to do . he persist in martyr himself to bring to light the lack of support for flyer and to promote the air force a a new and integrated branch of military defense . clearly the defense lawyer be brilliantly pursue a course that force the tribunal to cut their loss and restore billy rank and if he would recant part or all of his accusation . he have an out . but and like billy budd and he choose the victim path and and and while maintain his love and devotion to the army and make himself a scapegoat . at one point it do appear that rod steiger lawyer ( a wonderful bit of act ) have him on the rope about set himself ( billy ) up a good than and morally superior to his peer and his superior even the army itself . last minute heroism ensue represent billy and sick in body and spirit spoiler persist in his suit with a fairly standard speech ( i though acted appropriately with weakened voice and manner because the man be sick ) about do the right thing for the great number and and that his country rank even high thn himself and all the general present . he couldn not not pursue his cause and be a good man and soldier . i be satisfy by his argument while but i do not feel that the issue be resolve . he do break rank while he do call in the press while he do undermine his fellow officer to some degree . i think it weaken his argument and the film ( unless i be off base ) to bring in all the material about jet aircraft not that it might not have be true and and not that the prosecutor do not make logical and effective use of these fantasy equal equal but that it seem sort of overweighted to make billy appear a misunderstood prophet and rather than just a good experience soldier and flyer . a wonderful film and and i think a strong performance by cooper ( almost especially when he appear weak and beaten . ) a courtroom drama with brain and brawn . seven plus from jaime .