Question:
Having just watched A Few Good Men again on the excellent Spec Ed R2, I'm reminded that, in a final analysis, the bad guys are not what they seem...
So... on a routine 'Code Red', a marine succumbs to a medical condition, the soldiers 'administering' the Code (only meant to be a hair cut) call an ambulance, but it's too late. The marine dies, and the two others go on trial for muder.
But, when all the revelations are tallied up, who is the true baddie?
Jack Nicholson - no, all he did was lie a bit about Marine Life. But even then, he told the truth to Cruise & co 'off the record'. So he wanted to toughen up a young marine? That's army life, baby! Not guilty, your honour.
Kiefer Sutherland - played middle man on one of Jack's orders. Lied about it, as part of Jack's order. So... not guilty, your honour.
Wolfgang Bodison & James Marshall - gave the Code Red, but were still nice enough to stop when Pvt Santiago started to look real bad. They could have gone easier, sure, but they weren't exactly Dahmer and Bundy. So... not guilty, your honour.
Christopher Guest - let an ill man rejoin the Marines. Gross malpractice, surely, given that it cost the Marine his life. That said, it was all done without ill intent. So... guilty of the lesser charge of 'Conduct Unbecoming'
Tom Cruise (and cohorts) - knew that the marine died of a medical condition, but were still intent on crippling the U.S. position in Cuba just for a bit of personal glory. So guilty of being a self-loving prat with something to prove no matter what it costs other men's lives or national security! Sentenced to life - hard labour!
Surely Jack Nicholson was guilty. He gave the order for the Code Red which was carried out by the two Marines and that is why he is carted off at the end.
Rob Reiner is guilty of tedium in the first degree during his commentary :oh-hum:
Originally posted by DarkAvenger
Surely Jack Nicholson was guilty. He gave the order for the Code Red which was carried out by the two Marines and that is why he is carted off at the end.
Definitely - as it's pointed out that Code Red's were a no-no according to an instruction from on high.
There was no such thing as a 'routine code red' anymore and he knew it, which is why until under pressure at the end, Big Jack denied that he'd issued one - even though 'you're god damn right he did'. ;)
Edit: Not too mention he was allowing two of his soldiers to go on trial for their lives - and lying in his own evidence to protect his own neck - even though he knew they were only following his orders.
So... on a routine 'Code Red', a marine succumbs to a medical condition, the soldiers 'administering' the Code (only meant to be a hair cut) call an ambulance, but it's too late. The marine dies, and the two others go on trial for muder.
But, when all the revelations are tallied up, who is the true baddie?
Jack Nicholson - no, all he did was lie a bit about Marine Life. But even then, he told the truth to Cruise & co 'off the record'. So he wanted to toughen up a young marine? That's army life, baby! Not guilty, your honour.
Kiefer Sutherland - played middle man on one of Jack's orders. Lied about it, as part of Jack's order. So... not guilty, your honour.
Wolfgang Bodison & James Marshall - gave the Code Red, but were still nice enough to stop when Pvt Santiago started to look real bad. They could have gone easier, sure, but they weren't exactly Dahmer and Bundy. So... not guilty, your honour.
Christopher Guest - let an ill man rejoin the Marines. Gross malpractice, surely, given that it cost the Marine his life. That said, it was all done without ill intent. So... guilty of the lesser charge of 'Conduct Unbecoming'
Tom Cruise (and cohorts) - knew that the marine died of a medical condition, but were still intent on crippling the U.S. position in Cuba just for a bit of personal glory. So guilty of being a self-loving prat with something to prove no matter what it costs other men's lives or national security! Sentenced to life - hard labour!
Answers:
Surely Jack Nicholson was guilty. He gave the order for the Code Red which was carried out by the two Marines and that is why he is carted off at the end.
Answers:
Rob Reiner is guilty of tedium in the first degree during his commentary :oh-hum:
Answers:
Originally posted by DarkAvenger
Surely Jack Nicholson was guilty. He gave the order for the Code Red which was carried out by the two Marines and that is why he is carted off at the end.
Definitely - as it's pointed out that Code Red's were a no-no according to an instruction from on high.
There was no such thing as a 'routine code red' anymore and he knew it, which is why until under pressure at the end, Big Jack denied that he'd issued one - even though 'you're god damn right he did'. ;)
Edit: Not too mention he was allowing two of his soldiers to go on trial for their lives - and lying in his own evidence to protect his own neck - even though he knew they were only following his orders.
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