A FEW GOOD MEN (REMASTERED) - LT. KAFFEE EARNS US MARINE LANCE CORPORAL HAROLD DAWSON'S RESPECT
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- čas přidán 1. 05. 2021
- From the Academy-Award winning film, A Few Good Men. U.S. Marines Lance Corporal Harold Dawson (Wolfgang Bodison) and Private First Class Louden Downey (James Marshall) are facing a general court-martial, accused of murdering fellow Marine William Santiago at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Santiago had poor relations with his fellow Marines, compared unfavorably to them, and broke the chain of command in an attempt to get transferred out of Guantanamo. Base Commander Colonel Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson) and his officers argue about the best course of action: while Jessup's executive officer, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Markinson (J. T. Walsh), advocates that Santiago be transferred, Jessup dismisses the option and instead orders Santiago's commanding officer, Lieutenant Jonathan James Kendrick (Kiefer Sutherland), to "train" Santiago to become a better Marine.
While it is believed that the motive in Santiago's murder was retribution for naming Dawson in a fenceline shooting, Naval investigator and lawyer Lieutenant Commander JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore) largely suspects Dawson and Downey carried out a "code red" order: a violent extrajudicial punishment. Galloway wants to defend the two, but the case is given to Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) - an inexperienced and unenthusiastic lawyer with a penchant for plea bargains. Galloway and Kaffee instantly conflict, with Galloway unsettled by Kaffee's apparent laziness whilst Kaffee resents Galloway's interference. Kaffee and Galloway travel to Guantanamo base Cuba to question Colonel Jessup and others. Under questioning, Jessup claims Santiago was set to be transferred the next day.
When Kaffee negotiates a plea bargain with the prosecutor Captain Jack Ross, Dawson and Downey refuse to go along, insisting that Kendrick had indeed given them the "code red" order and that they never intended Santiago to die. Dawson shows outright contempt for Kaffee, refusing to salute or acknowledge him as an officer because Dawson sees him as having no honor by choosing a plea bargain over defending their actions.
Galloway encourages Kaffee to call Jessup as a witness, despite the risk of being court-martialed for smearing a high-ranking officer. Jessup spars evenly with Kaffee's questioning, but is unnerved when Kaffee points out a contradiction in his testimony: Jessup stated his Marines never disobey orders and that Santiago was to be transferred for his own safety; if, Kaffee asks, Jessup ordered his men to leave Santiago alone, then how could Santiago be in danger? Irate at being caught in a lie and disgusted by what he sees as Kaffee's impudence towards the Marines, Jessup extols the military's importance, and his own, to national security. When asked point-blank if he ordered the "code red", Jessup continues with his self-important rant until, after repeatedly being asked the question, he bellows with contempt that, in fact, he did order the "code red." Jessup tries to leave the courtroom but is promptly arrested.
Dawson and Downey are cleared of the murder and conspiracy charges, but found guilty of "conduct unbecoming" and ordered to be dishonorably discharged. Dawson accepts the verdict, but Downey does not understand what they did wrong. Dawson explains that they had failed to defend those too weak to fight for themselves, like Santiago. As the two are leaving, Kaffee tells Dawson that he does not need to wear a patch on his arm to have honor. Dawson sheds his previous contempt for Kaffee, acknowledges him as an officer, and renders a salute. - Zábava
I got chills when he told the marine:
‘You don’t need to wear a patch on your arm to have honor’.
😌
i'm the only friend you've got.
@@anypish2 TEN HUT!! There’s an officer on deck. **salutes**
Not a Soldier, but a Marine.
@@danielhaire6677 mmhmm
@@anypish2 kkkkk Perfect! I know the referecens. Greetings from Brazil.
" we were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves" - so true!
They call that "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman". Ironic how a movie with Richard Gere kinda deals with this topic a bit.
I am man enough to admit that line got to me. Damn it.
@@claudemoyen8676 I sure felt sorry for them
if this movie comes up every 1 talks about the cant handle the truth line i think this line was delivered with so much more meaning to it
and the actor never really got his due for how well it was delivered
Best description I’ve ever heard for what the military is for….
Another favourite is “they guard us while we sleep”
Harold saluting Kaffay was key moment for me besides Jessep admitting to the code red. Respect rightfully earned.
Agreed except he didn't need to say all that ten hut fackin officer on deck, could have just snapped to attention and gave a salute, same effect and I feel would have been better too
He didn’t have a cover on. You just stand at attention.
When Col. Jessup admitted that he was the one that ordered the "Code Red", look at his face, immediately afterwards. He's thinking:"Oh, no! I just told on myself"!
I love it!!!
For me it was the moment when Dawson realised where he'd gone wrong; when he told Downey that they were supposed to fight _for_ people like Santiago.
Especially since it was the last thing he did as a marine
"Yeah, we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves." Words to live by..
But that’s not what people remember, is it? People remember Colonel Jessup’s speech. And that’s what they think being a marine is.
@@WGB3019 what I remembered was the disgraceful actions of Santiago breaking the chain of command to rat out his fire team leader who'd been protecting him. Santiago needed to be trained. He needed to be taught Loyalty
@@BruteStrength99 He needed help to either become the Marine that he should be, transferred to another unit or gently pushed to leave the Corps. He did not deserve his fellow Marines attacking him. Colonel Jessop talked big about honour and loyalty, but he didn't know what those words meant. If he did, he wouldn't have ordered the illegal Code Red. At the very least he would've taken responsibility for his actions and protected his Marines rather than lying to cover his own ass.
@@Cailus3542 I'm not excusing Col Jessop. The way he threw them under the bus was disgraceful. I was defending Lcpl Dawson and PFC Downey. They were trying to help him. They were training him. They didn't want him to die. That's why they called the ambulance when they saw something was wrong.
@@Cailus3542 you don't transfer a marine to another unit if he's a shitbag. That's the perfect example of poor leadership. Letting a cancer metastasize to other parts of the Corps
What hit me the hardest was the "you are ordered to be dishonorably discharged from The Marine Corp". The feeling a dedicated Marine would feel being dishonorably sent home is devastating.
What's worse is the charge they are convicted of "conduct unbecoming a marine" is a totally fictional charge. It doesn't exist in rea life.
@@TheStapleGunKid
www.mcmilitarylaw.com/articles-of-ucmj/article-133-conduct-unbecoming/
@@ElsaAnnaArendelle Isn't that unbecoming of an Officer? I'm not an expert but that is what the link you provided says.
@@charleshowie2074 yes
@@ElsaAnnaArendelle So as our friend said, "Conduct unbecoming a marine" is a fictional charge, not existing in real life?
Good soldiers follow orders.
Great men know the difference between right and wrong.
There are always dilemmas in following orders. There is an incident where a US army platoon got indicted for disobeying an order. According to the families, the platoon was stationed either in Iraq of Afghanistan and was given an order to bringing supplies and ammunition to frontline combatants. The platoon got a dilemma in carrying out the order. The chosen route was the quickest but also the most dangerous as it was often booby trapped by insurgents with IEDs as well as frequent ambushes by insurgents. The selected transport vehicle was an unarmored one which meant their chances for survival was slim. They requested that either they were allowed a much safer alternative route or be given an armored vehicle for the most dangerous route. When their requests got rejected, the platoon decided to disobey the order as they refuse to carrying out the order that decreases their chance of survival. As the result, they got indicted for insubordination.
Soldiers do not have to follow illegal, immoral, or unethical orders
If the doctor did his job Santiago wouldve been diagnosed with a cornary disorder. If he didnt had a cornary disorder it wouldve been a standard code red no worries for Dawson and Downey
Most are not great men.
And the very greatest of all.....Set the terms of what is right and wrong. Nowadays it is more apparent than in any other era. You pick a message, any message, and if the organisations that shape the truth (media, corporations etc) decide to push it then soon enough it becomes the new "good" and soldiers full of honor appear to serve it. And those who created it.
The actor who played Harold was amazing. His performance incredible. One of the best performances ever.
Wolfgang Bodison was Rob Reiner's assistant. LCPL Dawson was not cast and Reiner said he wanted someone that looked like..."Wolfgang." He was standing there the whole time.
Sir?
@@davidcombs3617 yeah Bodison was a recent graduate of University of Virginia and was a walk-on football player. He was doing scouting locations, I think, for Reiner. Rob asked him if he wanted to be in the movie and he wasn't an actor yet.
@@paulhampton2087 For an acting debut having to be in a cast that good, I'd say he acquitted himself quite well.
@@davidcombs3617 I totally agree. 😋
The irony of people actually falling for the Colonel's monologue about honor and duty as being more than a punchline. Harold in the last scene exemplified what honor and duty actually means.
Lies again? Marine Soldier
Fun fact, Sorkin wrote "A Few Good Men" as a stage play first, which got made before it was adapted for film. And in that stage play, Sorkin wrote a quite eloquent rebuttal to Jessup's entire spiel that Kaffee says after Jessup is detained. It goes like this:
"You trashed the law! But hey, we understand, you’re permitted. You have a greater responsibility than we can possibly fathom. You provide us with a blanket of freedom. We live in a world that has walls and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns, and nothing is going to stand in your way of doing it. Not Willie Santiago, not Dawson and Downey, not Markinson, not 1,000 armies, not the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and not the Constitution of the United States! That’s the truth isn’t it Colonel? I can handle it."
I have no idea of why Sorkin adapted out this from the film version. Maybe he thought that he was spoon-feeding the audience, and that it was better to let the audience to reach this conclusion.
But if that's the case, judging from the insane amount of people who take Jessep's side... maybe he made a mistake...
Yeah, I'm guessing a bunch of army fan-boys have been watching this movie and they're the ones preaching about how the Colonel was spot on about how Kaffee was shitting on the "loyalty" and "honor" that exists in the military. When your head is up the military's ass it's easy to disregard a soldier being beaten to death due to his lack of loyalty lol
That Irony is what makes the character work so well, what makes the scene so poignant. There are people like Jessup in the world. And we have to be wary of them.
I have to be honest, I always struggled with this movie. The acting is masterful.
But I spent the whole thing wanting to punch the two Marine's in the face every time he talks about sticking to a personal code, having a sense of honour as if he hadn't helped murder an innocent young man. I *wanted* them to face trial, because I *wanted* them to face justice. I couldn't get over how they were being presented as willing to stand up for their personal code of honour, as if they weren't just as culpable of murder as the man who ordered it. I didn't want them to get off. I wanted their superiors up with them, but the film only pays lip service to the fact that whether or not their superiors ordered it, they were still murderers, until right at the end. Didn't sit well with me.
I wouldn't want to be saluted by either of them. They deserved dishonorable discharge. At least.
The Lance Caporal sunk my heart with his last statement after the verdict. He's a rare type of guy, he's made of steel. A true marine!
There are moments of Jessups testimony that are %100 true and honorable. And I am incredibly grateful that there are people who chose to live their lives by "honor, code, and loyalty" and we should never forget that sacrifice for our freedom. Harold sums it ALL up in the end. "We were supposed to fight for Willy"... Caffey:"You don't have to have a patch on your arm to have honor". Get chills everytime! Great movie and a reminder of the importance of good film making for giving us insight into the collective human condition.
@@jhodges1369 I love how Kaffee is teaching a young Marine about true honor --- it comes from within your heart and soul --- it can't come from a uniform or patch on your arm
Except he WASN'T a Marine
Ikr. The way he said "LT Kaffee, I have to take these men over to Personnel for some paperwork" was so touching
@@jhodges1369 But Jessup with the Code Red was promoting a system of preying on the weak and vulnerable, instead of admitting that not everyone is made to be in the Marine Corps. It's the hypocritical opposite of honor, that Kaffey revealed.
That last part....you don't need to wear a patch on your arm to have honor. TEN HUT!! THERES AN OFFICER ON DECK....SALUTE. It gets me! Tear jerker!!
IKR. gets you every time. It hits you hard..that you can't help but get emotional.
@@trinat8026 The best part was Kaffee returning Dawson's salute. 😌
I'm glad I'm not the only one to drop a tear down my face
As a guy that breaks me every time
Yes. Had tear jerker whenever seen from movieclips. Or the drama movie. A few good men.
As a teenager when this movie was in theaters, even kids like us recognized this was a special movie with a powerful cast. Its too bad Movies like this are not made anymore
Well yeah.. men are women now in the forces, flight suits have baby sacks, and the leader will sniff ya. They would have to be animated films now, and ain't nobody got time for that!
All the more reason to make sure that the next generation knows, that they were once made.
It's like the elderly and their parents aren't even in charge of the culture anymore! For shame I cry at the youth! For shame I cry into oblivion!
Guys Aaron Sorkin still makes movies. He can pretty much make whatever movie he wants. You lot are just sore that he was never a Trump-type of person at all. Aaron Sorkin is the type of guy that admires Admiral McRaven and not Donald Trump. You might wonder why you disagree.
@Mike Byrne Thoughtful riposte.
I remember crying like a baby in the theater when Dawson salutes Kaffee. Still a great movie 30 years (holy crap!) later.
LOL 😂😂
You actually cried at that part ??
"Thanks for keeping me out of jail boss." "We totally killed Santiago." "But it was OK because Jessep gave the order." 😂😂
This is what I would call a complete movie. Everything about it is perfect. The cast, the story, the dialog.
"Permission to spea--"
"SPEAK! JESUS!"
*Inner monologue of every military lawyer.*
The actor that plays Harold, Wolfgang Bodison, is my acting coach. Best teacher I have ever had. Such a good dude, honest, and practices what he preaches (obviously). The dude is so present, not a phony moment.
I remembered Wolfgang Bodison in an episode of the Highlander series. He played an immortal who served as a Marine during Vietnam, and he saved the life of the character played by Jim Byrnes. The writers of that show must have saw this movie and Mr. Bodison caught their eye.
powerful...convincing...stirring...deep....enters the corners of the mind...a film for the ages...
Here's something most people don't know; Wolfgang Bodison, who played Lance Corporal Harold Dawson was also the production's land man. He was responsible for selecting and acquiring off set filming locations.
He was incredible in this film
Location scout?
One moment I love is at 5:01 - he doesn't say "not guilty" but instead chooses to say "they're not guilty" demonstrating to Dawson and Downey that he is not just their lawyer but fundamentally believes that they were "right".
Highly under-rated comment!
i think it also shows that kaffee is fighting for them, two marines that need someone to represent them in court, something they should have done to santiago.
Santiago gave a thumbs down to your comment. 😂😂
Hal’s last salute and the previous words of Lt. Coffee make this movie to a masterpiece!!!
coffee? black or white? 🤣
@@userjlj Kaffee is German for Coffee.
Coffee (cough fee)
Kaffee (Cafe fee)
It's pronounciation is "cay" [🗝️]
Cafe fee or ☕ it's still Thom Cruze. 🙃
@@userjlj 2 sugars please
@@gabecollett
Don: Rigbone, give me some sugar bro? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Man, I re watched the film yesterday, and the way Harold salutes Kaffee at the end giving him the respect, I teared up
Problem is that in the real world these kids lives are screwed. A DD is an absolute game ender.
In real life, the trick is to wait a few years and get it upgraded to either a general or an honorable. If it's an honorable, you can join up again.
And they brought it on themselves
A criminal trail court martial conviction resulting in a DD is not an administrative discharge, but, rather, a punitive discharge. Punitive DD’s that result from a criminal court martial are seldom if ever upgraded or reversed upon appeal, so these guys would be toast in all actuality.
I never knew this was based on actual events. Just heard that a couple months ago. It wasn’t scene for scene or anything… But it was based on something that actually happened
@@eltonjohnson1724 Does the DD actually go away in time?
I always felt that Wolf Bodison, who played Dawson, never got much credit for that role. His bio says he'd never acted before and he was a clerk working for Rob Reiner who asked him to read for the part and then hooked him up with an acting coach. I thought he was very convincing. Imagine being in your first role and you're doing scenes with big stars like Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.
yes, he was hard working-earned it with the big boys like cruise and nicholson
That's just it. The intimidation factor alone. He went toe to toe with two of the greats.
I think of it as the Law of Attraction. Wolfgang was sho nuff asking life for big things and it delivered.
It's amazing how this movie's ending managed to be happy and sad at the same time
Santiago probably gets heat Fatigue easily. I get HF easily when I jog on hot days and I consider myself very fit. Imagine Santiago doing those big hikes in full gear, massive backpack. Poor guy. Great movie.
It’s realistic though. If an officer gives an unlawful order you’re not supposed to follow those orders. They teach you that in boot camp. You have a responsibility to understand the difference between lawful and unlawful orders and you will be held accountable for following unlawful ones.
thats life
@@chucknola484 with great power comes great responsibility
Ikr. They may not be spending the rest of their lives in Levenworth. But that dishonorable discharge will follow them around for the rest of their lives. They have effectively been stripped of their veteran benefits and their second amendment rights, and on top of that it will be harder for them to find jobs.
"You Don’t need to Wear a Patch on your Arm to Have Honor."
Believe it or Not, this line changed part of my life completely few years ago maybe a decade ago. Made me realize something I needed to understand.
Wolfgang Bodison was perfect as Harold Dawson. His performance, his first acting part, still gives me chills.
Soldier: We're supposed to fight for those who cannot fend for themselves.
Marines are not soldiers. :-)
@@NWAWskeptic They sure act like soldiers...shitttttttt they use the same ranks styles, weapons (10 years behind)...Let me remind you Marine belong to the Department of the Navy. Naval infantry is the more appropriate name for this unit...
@@tecniko3769 Great, you can use inductive logic to grasp at pedantic definitions. None of it matters. Marines are not soldiers. Soldiers are in the Army. And infantry is also not a term that encompasses all Marines. Nor all Army. "Naval Infantry" would be ridiculous as the Navy primarily fight on water and in the air, infantry is a ground based unit. It would make as much sense as "Naval Cavalry". And in case you didn't know Cavalry is an obsolete military component as fighting on horses is not ideal in any battle anymore.
@@NWAWskeptic Hm well ww2 they fought side by side on dday.
@@josephbach1 Yes they did, as well as many battles of the Pacific Theater, like Battle of Peleliu. And there was huge mutual respect to and from both branches. The distinction between "soldier" and "Marine" is not to imply one deserves more reverence or respect than the other, it is merely a small, yet important distinction. As said in this movie, Marines are "fanatical" in their Esprit De Corps. Many would curtly correct anyone that called them a "soldier".
I love how they keep calling him "sir" even after he said that it's not necessary
he wanna gain time and the soldiers were in anything goes on that programming over his heads!!
_in unison_ it’s a code lol
One of the best courtroom drama scenes in American film delivering one of the most memorable lines ever - "You can't handle the truth!"
What
It's not just the line but the entire monologue that Nicholson as Jessup delivers following that iconic "You can't handle the truth!"
A great but over-looked moment in the film was Kevin Bacon's simple nod when Tom Cruise asked him to agree to an adjournment following Jessup's outburst.Less is more acting at its best!
Although unlikely
@@rodneyskelly5960 Not accurate though. You can't nod in court as everything needs to be verbalized so it can be recorded.
A million kudos to this movie for hitting the nuance. No, they did not commit a 'crime' but the did violate what it means to be a SM and what it means to be a Marine
The acting in this scene is incredible.
still powerful demi moore surprisingly good
9:04 you HAVE to feel bad for Downey. He's seemingly so simple minded that he has no full gravity of the situation. He just follows orders as told and knows almost nothing else
He wouldn't be accepted into the Marine Corp. They did draft those type of guys into the Army during the Vietnam War though and unfortunately worse than Dawson.
You are living with these values
@@lenblack1462 worse? They was nothing wrong with Dawson
4:36… I don’t think anyone understand the kind of DISRESPECT this is if they haven’t been in the military, this is a clear sign of hate for those above them and I love it
Yeah… yes there are pockets but you aren’t allowed to use them technically 🤣
I don't get this. When I was in the Navy, there was never a rule to salute an officer when he leaves the room let alone when he's out of uniform. You always had your cover on when outside (or in ceremony/other situations) and would salute only with the covers on. I don't recall ever saluting without my cover.
Army here. Only salute indoors when reporting to an officer, or ceremonies such as change of command. When commander enters or leaves, call unit to attention. If the first sergeant or sergeant major, at ease.
I hate military shows that over dramatize all things military. The show JAG was great example. Everyone spoke at all times in exact military terms. Nobody does that in the Army. Maybe Marines do
@@VertigoX26 you don’t at all
Facts. Let the pog hate flow lol.
Tom! You don't need to have an Oscar to be a movie superstar!
We've all known since forever that oscars never measure an actor's greatness. Duh!!
I have seen this segment probably a dozen times. I would give the movie 4.5 stars. Why not five? I am an ex-Marine. I guess I look at the technical details a little more than the average person. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), there is nothing about "conduct unbecoming a Marine". Instead, there is a provision for "conduct unbecoming an officer", but these two who were charged were enlisted men, not officers. Back when I was in the Corps in the early and mid-1970s, there was a similar case at a Marine Barracks. "Marine Barracks" was considered a good duty station for those Marines who needed "down time" after serving in heavy combat during the Vietnam War (keep in mind that PTSD was not a legitimate medical condition back then). There would be "spit-and-polish" type ceremonies, and guarding sites which had high military significance (those who were in the military will know what I am talking about). Generally, it was 8 to 5, with great liberty when off duty. There was a Marine Barracks in one location which got a new commanding officer -- a colonel who was intending to do whatever it took to make flag rank (which starts with the rank of brigadier general). He worked these model Marines to the point that it was counter productive. They complained to their congressmen, something the CO didn't take very kindly, since he was desperately trying to make general. As a result, he reacted even more harshly with these model Marines. Finally, there was enough complaints that an investigation was launched by a three-star general. The three-star general concluded his investigation being critical of the colonel, probably ending his career with a letter of reprimand or letter of caution. The colonel was outraged and told the general how offended he was: here he was a combat veteran and being treated this way. The lieutenant-general replied, "These men you unnecessarily harassed were also combat veterans. Why didn't you show them the same consideration?" Was this case written up by someone from the JAG office, suggesting a writer make the movie script for it? I dunno. But the story line, with the issues of morality and legality (which sometimes are in conflict as we could see in this movie), made a compelling presentation.
Wow you're so amazing.
Interesting, and thank you for your service. This is one of my top ten movies all time, very close to top five maybe it's just very hard to pick, regardless I think it's great. Every character in this movie grew stronger and Demi Moore turned out to be fantastic at her job as well, she was right all along about them winning the case.
@@gatorunleashed275 U R Welcome. Personally, I think all the acting we really good -- Demi, Tom, Keifer, etc. I just think the writers could have tightened it up a tad bit more for us who were in the Marines. I don't know much about film making, but I believe the producers can okay a technical consultant. I think any ex-Marine officer would have been good enough to tighten up some of the looser parts. But over all, 4.5 out of 5. Semper fi.
*something something no such thing as an ex marine something something*
The correct charge, I imagine, would be “conduct to prejudice of good order and discipline”, correct? And I imagine the penalty, under these circumstances, would’ve been just as stiff, i.e. a DD/BCD. Let me know if I’m wrong. And thank you for your service.
"We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy."
That line chokes me up every time.
You are supposed to be a team, and fighting for others that can't.
No one left behind!
SEAL MOTO!
There are so many stupid things about this movie. The dumbest is an educated and powerful man confessing to perjury. But that's very closely followed by the line you are quoting. The script should read: "We were supposed to follow orders. We did follow orders. Therefore we did nothing wrong". But hey, as long as simpletons like you get a kick out of it then so be it.
i bet they teach them in boot camp about lawful and unlawful orders
They forgot the real reason why they joined the marine for, is to fight for those people who's can't defend themselves. If they remember that, they won't follow the leaders order.
@@jonathanhalloran8807 Sorry but that is bullshit. If a superior tells you to shoot the kid crossing the street for a good laugh, and you do it, you are completely guilty by your own right. You cannot remove your own responsability for your action just because your superior told you so. You are not a robot or a pure extention of your superior arm, you are a human being that should know when something is utterly wrong and act accordingly. I can guarantee you that saying '' It's my officer that told me to do it'' will not hold a second in court. You will just look like a complete stupid brainless dude, but will go to prison all the same.
I was an Army lieutenant in Vietnam and I regularly fought alongside US Marines. Some of them were definitely certifiable, some just regular guys and most of them were more scary than the Vietcong! However I noticed that they all had two things in common; firstly, their absolute loyalty to each other and secondly their dedication to the Corps. One can argue endlessly about the validity of Marine Corps values but as Lance Corporal Dawson intimated it really matters in life to have a code in which to believe, partially flawed though that code may be. So many of us in the US today have no direction and no real meaning to our existence.
a perfect movie perfect in every way. the cast was stellar the entire movie could easily be in black and white. Timeless.
Great storytelling...this movie does everything well...in the editing the pace could have been slowed down a little...the cuts are a little choppy...one of the best films ever made...
The tragedy of this film is when cruise says..."I'm the only friend you've got". Reminds me of the phrase..."you are an asset, an expendeble asset, and I used you to get the job done". That's it. Shameful when higher ups destroy lives and careers with inexcusable orders.
Truly! Because they can. Those guys were “used” by Officers appointed over them.
Predator? Nice.
@@sammyvillena9777 Exactly. That is what "chain of command" means sometimes.
Predator reference… it comes with the job…sadly the military sees it this way more often than not.
I think Nicholson's and Sutherland's characters were depicted as narcissist. I think there is a higher percent of narcissist in the military. They lack empathy conscience and compassion.
One of the best...if not the best courtroom drama ever filmed.Everything is perfect, acting, the script, score, that's why it still holds up to this day.
Watch Al Pacino rant in "Justice for all" a case about a Judge on trial for rape ,good but weird Stuff
kevin bacon was good, the cast was perfect reiner got the direction right, it was a timeless classic
The actor who played Dawson was so good in this movie. Surrounded by legends and he held his own.
I think I read somewhere he was the directors limo driver and had no prior acting experience.
No kidding? Too bad he never made it bigger.
@@HowlingWolf518 Saw him on an episode of "NCIS."
@@timothyhodges705 I think I remember seeing him on an episode of Charmed
Well, he only has a couple lines. Mostly just sits there
No movie ever had the last scene as honourable as this . There is an officer on deck!
The movie Men of Honor has a pretty good ending too with the salute at the end.
czcams.com/video/9IxUdFJlcDo/video.html
To Kill a Mockingbird outdoes this ending by far: "Miss Jean Louise. Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin'."
My goodness, this movie was so good. This was a time when it was worth it to go to the theater.
You encapsulated the entire movie in ten and a half minutes. Bravo.
The last scene was done and executed beautifully by all actors that captivated the audience and it is so very true that you don't need to be in the military to have honour.
A FEW GOOD M EN IS FULL OF MEMORABLE LINES ! PERHAPS THE BEST LINE OF ALL, " HAROLD, U DONT NEED 2 WEAR A PATCH ON YOUR ARM 2 HAVE HONOR" !
9:19 Best line of the movie
Most folks would say it's "You can't handle the truth!" 6:23 but I prefer "You don't need to wear a patch on your arm to have honor." 9:55
Such a great movie, so many years later .
Dawson and Downey got screwed but under UCMJ, Kendrick gave them an immoral order and they weren’t bound to follow it.
That's correct.
But remember that Dawson was punished before by not following an immoral order. It was this experience that lead to him following this one
@@ethanharmer5151 exactly! “ A lesson he learned from the Curtis Bell incident “!
They definitely were scapegoated! Jessup and Kendrick hung these guys out to dry because they knew the buck would stop with Dawson and Downey while Kendrick and Jessup claimed no responsibility. Although Dawson and Downey were found not guilty, the conduct unbecoming is the “catch all” and warranted a dishonorable discharge. Because, say if they were somehow allowed to return to their unit...how could they be ever trusted again?? Let alone end up supervising Marines as they became promoted? Even the Judge looked at them “ like they got the shaft” , as he handed down their sentence. Classic movie! A must see for all Marines and military folks.
if they didn't attack Santiago they would've gotten screwed for not following orders. it was a lose-lose situation
That respect was EARNED. It didn't even feel cheesy. Such a great damn movie. Nicholson... perfection.
"Yeah, we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves." this is so wholesome:) also in light that he actually did exactly that before by protecting santiago until he was punished for exactly that
Tom Cruise really knows how to handle an impossible mission
Put Cruise with actors better than him, he can deliver a performance. This movie, Color of Money, Rain Man. He had to work.
To be fair, it was risky but he got the business done in the end.
Tom cruise is best of the best
He did get the business done provided they showed him the money.
I just LOVED the way he baited that Colonel into admitting his crime!
"It's not that simple." That line sums up the emotions at the end. Happy that Dawson and Downey were spared incarceration or the death penalty, but sad that 2 men who had given their lives to the Marine Corps were dishonorably discharged from it. Happy that justice was served for Jessep being indicted, but Dawson & Downey still had their careers ended and their lives likely ruined. Sad that Downey honestly didn't understand what they had done wrong. Happy that Dawson understood. Of course, they're still out. Sad that although justice was served, a man was still dead and his death should have been prevented. Wow. It's loaded emotionally.
The ending was sloppy. In the US military, you can't disobey orders or else you're found to be insubordinate. So what were they supposed to do? That is the question that will preoccupy our armed services for years to come, long after you leave this court martial.
@@omegacon4 lol you clearly don’t know the UCMJ or LOAC, or even basic history.
The IMT at Nuremberg in 1946 changed the whole “just following orders” spiel. That was the entire defence of all members of the Wehrmacht. That and the doctrine of command responsibility which means that superior officers are responsible for the actions or inactions as it may be of their subordinates.
You are OBLIGATED by law, both municipal and international, to NOT follow illegal or immoral orders.
Legal orders result in NJPs or a court martial. ILLEGAL orders like the Code Red in this case are patently illegal.
There is a reason while acquitted on counts of murder, the two Marines were found guilty as charged of “conduct unbecoming a marine”.
@@sidvyas8549 Another foreigner who knows nothing about the US armed forces. We need to region-block CZcams comments.
@@omegacon4 looool you’re a dumb ass racist ass bitch ain’t you bubba.
We should have an idiot block on YT videos.
I HIGHLY doubt you served considering in boot camp you’re specifically taught and told that UNLAWFUL orders are NOT to be followed.
Article 92 of UCMJ specifically states that LAWFUL orders are to be complied with, and orders are PRESUMED lawful.
However to sustain the presumption, the order must relate to military duty. It must not conflict with the statutory or constitutional rights of the person receiving the order.
The lawfulness of an order, although an important issue, is not a discrete element of a disobedience offense. Therefore, it is a question of law to be determined by the military judge. MCM pt. IV, 14c(2)(a). United States v. Jeffers, 57 M.J. 13 (C.A.A.F. 2002); United States v. New, 55 M.J. 95 (C.A.A.F. 2001); But see United States v. Mack, 65 M.J. 108 (C.A.A.F. 2007)
Know the law fuck nugget
@@sidvyas8549 CZcams really needs to region-block comments, if anything for those like you who don't know the difference between racism and nationalism. And the world isn't as clear cut as you naively think it is. "The world is gray, Jack!".
And that’s the difference between soldiering and murdering; You don’t fight the weak, you fight *for* the weak.
That look at 10:25... Kaffee is getting some tonight XD
🤣 i said the same thing!
He knows it too!
Lmao 🤣🤣🤣
So true :-)
Break out the red panties lol
I know ignoring the chain of command is a big "no-no" in the military, but I honestly think Santiago made the right call. Its clear to me that their superiors didnt give a fuck about their actual well being, and valued cruel punishment over more effective and humane solutions
Honestly if I was Dawson, I would have followed Santiagos example and sent a letter asking to be transferred.
i agree with you but it’s so hard to judge if i would make that same decision after all that indoctrination and training. with all that life or death shit drilled into their head, as true as it may be, probably makes treatment like that feel not only normal but correct. oorah?
@@studebakerhoch4167 You are right, Comrade Hoch. Oorah!
Military transfer orders take *months...* _if you're _*_lucky._* At which instant should Dawson have requested a transfer?
1. After being caught sneaking food to PFC Curtis Bell who was on barracks restriction?
2. After Dawson began protecting Santiago from receiving code reds from his fellow Marines?
3. After Dawson fired his weapon across the fence line into Cuba?
4. After being ordered by Lt. Kendrick to give Santiago a code red moments after the lieutenant ordered everyone else not to touch Santiago?
Santiago was a sub standard marine. He was being transferred because he was in grave danger. am I clear?
AM I CLEAR?!
@@ryuk5673 crystal..
I love the dynamics of Kaf and Harold. Harold teaches Kaf about courage and Kaf reminds Harold that honor comes from within.
I have been looking for this clip for so long, so well done! "You don't have to wear a Patch on your Arm too have Honor" wow great vid ty so much
This is one of my favourite movies of all time. I've rewatched it so many times...really awesome film
Fun fact, Sorkin wrote "A Few Good Men" as a stage play first, which got made before it was adapted for film. And in that stage play, Sorkin wrote a quite eloquent rebuttal to Jessup's entire spiel that Kaffee says after Jessup is detained. It goes like this:
"You trashed the law! But hey, we understand, you’re permitted. You have a greater responsibility than we can possibly fathom. You provide us with a blanket of freedom. We live in a world that has walls and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns, and nothing is going to stand in your way of doing it. Not Willie Santiago, not Dawson and Downey, not Markinson, not 1,000 armies, not the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and not the Constitution of the United States! That’s the truth isn’t it Colonel? I can handle it."
I have no idea of why Sorkin adapted out this from the film version. Maybe he thought he was spoon-feeding the audience, and that it was better to let them reach this conclusion themselves.
But if that's the case, judging from the insane amount of people who take Jessep's side... maybe he made a mistake...
The reason is that Hollywood would never let a movie trash the military so much and dare suggest that the law is above the military
Well, is Jessep not right on one thing? Purposely killing one guy to save a hundred is just basic math. If you think you can go in the army and expect to not be a number to them. You got another thing comin'. Countless difficult decisions need to be made. Your unit is merely calculated to go at a particular place at a specific time, because reasons. Not because they like you. If you join the army, you're an expendable grunt until you rank fast enough. Facts.
@@EM-ol6rb b-but Hollywood only thinks the queers are above the law, they’re anti American and hate the military lol
Really wonder what those Bible thumping Christian nationalists would think about this. If they could actually think at all lol
@@sidvyas8549 which movie are you thinking of specifically?
@@EM-ol6rb nah no film in particular, just how right wingers seem to consider Hollywood as a purely leftist/liberal bastion while ignoring the constant and consistent pro war messages and films that Hollywood puts out.
100% agree with your comment
"But I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.” ~Faramir, Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
Jessup loved only himself and his self-obsessed "glory and honor." Even if it meant destroying what he was supposed to protect. And in the end he got neither.
Kaffee didn't want glory and honor, simply to defend people and his country, and in the end he did.
I've seen many people comment that you don't get movies like this anymore, but I argue that point. There were as many movies like this then as there are now. Only in hindsight does it seem so sparse. Movie's like this are special in a way that if there were so many more like it, would tarnish and diminish it. The uniqueness and greatness of this movie is because of it's rarity and should not used as an attack on other films.
Better A Few Good Movies than a world where this would be common and mediocre.
One of my favorite movies of all time... I can't wait to show my daughter this movie when she gets older. It's dramatic, edgy, and has depth, morals, and ethics. Love it.
Honor - Something no other can take, only given away.
Jaw droppingly good acting all round.
Honor, integrity , courage….so long just words now but I admire these
"You don't need to wear a patch on your arm to have honor." SO. TRUE.
Thank you so much for this video. The editing was brilliant for this subplot and so well done. All the best :)
Jeez, what a movie! There were so many punch lines being served there, that you lost count of it. Powerful courtroom scenes you would ever come across
Wolfgang Bodison is one of those actors I'm surprised didn't become a bigger star. Loved him here...he could be funny like he was in Little Big League as Spencer "Bite Me" Hamilton. He had the look and presence...just how it goes sometimes.
Back in a day when movies had values ♥️
You clipped these parts together really well. Sum's up the main plot very well.
Their military bearing is excellent!
In Germany the title is "eine Frage der Ehre" -- "A question of honor"
One of the best movies ever
One of the greatest movies ever made.
The ending scene gets me every time. Urah
For me, this is one of the Greatest movies!!!
Never gets old. I could watch this 100 times, and probably have.
In a world without HONOR this movie must be confusing as hell 🔥
I keep watching this almost everyday and it still has me.
One of my all time favourite films, what a cast. 👍👍
A Man lives with his Honour
This movie is amazing, well acted, well directed, amazing performances, acting at its best. This is and The Firm are arguably Tom Cruise's best movies of all time. I can see this movie 100 times and still amazes me, it never gets old!
I simply adore this movie. God bless América and god bless our marines and army and veterans and everyone who fights or fought for us to have our freedom.
I think the most missed point, is how Downy approached Galloway and said "What did we do wrong, we did nothing wrong!?" she said "Its not that simple." and when Dawson turned around and said the most important line in the entire film... "Yeah we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willie."
Such a great scene.
After being a lawyer in the USN, Tom Cruise went to TOP Gun School to Fly a Combat Aircraft instead of holding a rifle. 😹😹😹😹
Yes, but Jack Nicholson's rise in the military is even more impressive. He rose from Petty Officer "Bad Ass" Buddusky all the way up to Colonel in the Marines!
GOD my ♥ just broke for these two!
"We were supposed to fight for Willie"
Marine honor at its finest
No, it would have been Marine honour at its finest if they had actually refused to follow that "Code Red" order and had fought for Santiago. But they didn't.
@@EricMustardman in their defense, they were both entry Private's trained to follow orders, not question them. As the black private stated. The other was plain scared and naive.
@@nettiegurl In their defense, they were cleared of the murder charge. However, that doesn't make their conduct "Marine honour at its finest." It was harsh to D-D them, a D-OTH would have done, and they wouldn't have lost all privileges, such as health care access etc. Plus it would look a world better in their resumes. A D-D is a killer for most job applications.
@@EricMustardman Agreed with DOTH but then the movie doesn't get to make the point it wants to make LOL
Lol instead they killed Willie and got a dishonorable discharge. Truly honorable guys! Haha
Brilliant film done by everyone, Rob Reiner is a great director and actor. His portrait of Mike ( meat head ) on all in the family was perfect. 💯👍🏻 Misery was another brilliant film by Reiner.
This is absolute my favorite movie. Masterpiece
Some times the most wrong chapter you learn ...will teach u the right path🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
This is best performance from each and every person on screen. Writing, Script, Acting each and every department it's simply "Masterclass"
They were good looking. Now actors are chosen because they look like the common man on the street. They want Representation and Diversity. But here you have a very handsome black guy to share the screen to the Beautiful Tom Cruise.
This is a movie you have to own and when it's on TV you will sit down and watch it. This is that movie!
I think Kaffee earned their respect when he finally understood who they were and why they respected their code so much. That was when he really fought for those guys.
How Tom never got a Oscar for this is beyond me .
Seriously. This was a fabulous performance. IMHO his best ever. It’s stunning how good it is and how well it holds up all these years later. The entire film as a whole. It’ll forever be relevant as a reference of moral values and dilemmas that people in uniform face. Brilliant stuff
10:04 - That was nice. Thanks to that scene, I don't have to go and buy cheese tomorrow.
I have chills watching the end of the scene
When the movie first came out, I (and from what I remember most reviewers?) thought it was a perfectly decent film, but nothing special. However, over the years, after re-watching it several times, I have found it to be a great film which has not aged or become dated in anyway. In fact it seems to be aging like fine wine. I was interested to find out that this was Aaron Sorkin's first screenplay - he went on to create/write The West Wing and The Social Network. I wasn't a great fan of Tom Cruise back then but I still thought this was a great performance by him - the role suits him perfectly. (It's hard to not like him now though as he has been at the top for so long making blockbuster after blockbuster.) And I'd also like to appreciate this particular edit that has been put together by Elsa Anna Arendelle. It is very good, without being flashy, and encapsulates the whole Dawson story beautifully. I will be definitely checking out this channel's other videos. 👍 👍
Wolfgang Bodison was incredible as Dawson.
"You don't have to wear a patch to have honor."
There’s a subtle change in expression before the TEN HUT OFFICER ON DECK that is so emotional. Stunning acting and stunning film
If only Kevin Pollack could of slipped in his Captain Kirk impersonation into this movie. That would of been amazing!!!!
his Christopher Walken is the best ever too
Would HAVE/WOULD'VE
Cinematic masterpiece!
Such a powerful scene at the end, from start to finish. Do it folks, protect those who need protection. They will protect you too. Love.
What a movie. It's in my top 5 all time. "We did nothing wrong.". "Yeah we did. We were supposed to fight for those who could not fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willie". Epic.
Also Lt Joanne Galloways panties were in a bunch when she sees Lt Kaffee at the end and she really wanted him them, that was the look she gave.
I would’ve obliged her. Demi Moore never looked better in that movie