J.F. Thomas, played by Jack Thompson, was an intelligent man and well versed in his profession, although it didn't seem this way in the beginnings of this case. As is clear to the viewer, he is unorganized, aloof, and unconfident. This is seen in the scene that introduces him to the movie (Show scene). Notice how he is clumsy, and keeps dropping the papers.
As we journey further into the trial, Thomas's confidence grows. At first, he is not very confident, and this can be seen in his stance - note how he is leaning on the table for support, instead of standing up straight, with confidence. Yet his confidence grows. While the rules of war prohibited using prisoners as shields from attack, prosecution witnesses admit under Thomas's effective cross-examination that placing railway cars filled with Boer prisoners as the lead car for British trains stopped the bombing of rail lines.
Group portrait with Thomas Alva Edison and Sir Tho...
Thomas Chalmers, Century Opera (LOC)
ThomasMajor Thomas forces Captain Robertson, a prosecution witness, to admit that he too had continued to use this tactic because "though irregular, it was effective." It is here that the viewer can clearly see his increased confidence, that is shown in his now confident stance, he is standing up straight and tall, and he raises his voice to make his point clear (show scene).
Thomas felt that there were inconsistencies in the military code of the law at the trial, but mature consideration showed him that what was done in the courtroom was overall, properly enough done. His own performance had included some lapses; remember the comment from the Judge Advocate's review that heap of irrelevant evidence was admitted by the Court on the part of the defense despite the ruling of the judge advocate
But no matter the outcome of the courts martial, there is no way in...