Always appreciated how fair minded the judge was. He warned Kaffee a few times but always allowed him to continue when new evidence was brought to light.
The judge wasn't fair-minded, he was denying the defendant the right to a fair trial. There's nothing wrong with a defence lawyer questioning whether a witness had committed the crime rather than the defendant. It's the defendant's constitutional right to have him do so. The premise of the movie is that a defence lawyer can't accuse a high-ranking officer of a crime is nonsense; it was just added to add drama.
Kaffee is such a well-defined character. He doesn’t give a shit about any of the stuff that Marines pride themselves on, which makes him exactly the kind of guy who can infuriate them.
He doesn’t care because he’s never been in that position to care, he’s just done navy lawyer not actual service, it’s a good contrast to the people he’s arguing against, this film is incredible
I'd say, in his own way, he give MORE of a shit. He doesn't care about obediance, or being in the military. He cares about doing the right thing for the people in his care. He's what I wished the officers above me had been like.
In the final scene of the movie, I loved how Bacon’s character remarked “I’ve got to go arrest Lieutenant Kendrick.” to which Cruise says, “Tell him I said Hi!”
I love that character. He fought as hard as he could for the government. But he perfectly says it in a bar scene. "I represent the government without passion. And my client has a case" He remained true to that statement. While in court he was tough as nails.
I was in the Corps, and I served under an officer just like Kendrick. He once gave me an unlawful order and I refused to obey it. When he started in on me, I told him, "Sir, with all due respect, you're being an asshole!" He tried me to nail me, but our CO got involved and it turned out I was in the right. One of the things that saved my ass was the "with all due respect" comment and having witnesses who told the truth.
Much has been made of Tom and Jack’s performance in this movie, and rightly so, but Kiefer nailed it here. Some of the small details, looks, glances that he makes. Perfection.
The highest compliment one can pay an actor is to say that you hate them based on an unlikeable character they played. Kendrick was loathesome. Sutherland nailed it. Interestingly, he was just as unappealing in "A Time to Kill." I do think he is underrated, as you do Mr. Rider.
Kaffee's direct examination was brilliant. He connected the Curtis Bell incident to a Code Red. I'm sure the jury was able to see that. Plus, I love how he got under Kendrick's skin.
Yes, he proved that the fanaticism was coming from a person going over the line of duty to subjugate a form of undue stress from orders that were excessive and a pathology of complete fanaticism without humanity.
lawyers will often do or ask questions such as these that they know may be overstepping to prove a point knowing it won't get an answer. They will immediately withdraw it but by then the point has been made and it has the jury thinking.
It was Kaffee’s cross examination and comparison between the Curtis Bell incident and the Santiago incident that made this entire questioning amazing. He easily and not only distinguished between another type of CODE RED (hazing) between Bell and Santiago, but he also showed that the authority of following orders has a very thin line of crossing
This film had so many good moments overshadowed by the exchange between Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise at the end. The last part is what people remember. But the build up to that scene was instrumental in making the climax of the film as good as it was. A Few Good Men could be made into a textbook on what good story-telling is.
Think about how it was filmed. The camera had to be facing Tom Cruise when he was asking the questions. Then it had to be turned to face Keifer Sutherland to respond. The pace is intense but it must have been broken into pieces during filming which would have caused fragmentation. Just top notch production work.
@@raggededge82if they were running at the same time you'd see each in the others shot. This was indeed filmed as described. In fact for a some of Cruises dialogue Kevin Pollack sat in as Nicholson
According to his ranks he would've been JAG first then a pilot lol unless he got demoted and grounded for buzzing the towers then somehow managed to make CPT for TG2... 🤣 he was a LT in Top Gun, he's an LTJG in A Few Good Men. Lol
Brilliant scene. So much to see and appreciate here. KS's Kendrick is a brilliant portrayal. A junior career officer at the bottom rung and determined to do well/say the right things. Anyone who has served sees a LOT of these. He THINKS he has it all over Kaffee, and he despises him as "a smart arse lawyer who has no idea about the marines", and he is partially right. But he underestimates Kaffee's intelligence/knowledge of the law (even military law) and also underestimates what the judge and courtroom will evaluate and listen to. I was called to a summary hearing whilst serving as a Chief in my Navy (RAN). At that level, it was a very intimidating environment. I had been "to the table" a LOT as a senior Chief, and as a Warrant officer (our highest NCO, an E9) both to represent/defend, and to prosecute. I was a Chief for 14 years, and a Warrant Officer for almost as long, so (as a Divisional Officer) I had to "look after" a lot of sailors. I did 20 years at sea during my 40 in uniform, so there are a lot of "incidents." I was summoned as a defence witness for a sailor in a summary court. The Defence Magistrate wore a Commanders uniform, so one rank below the Colonel in the clip. Don't get me wrong. The guy charged worked for me, and he was a very good sailor, but he had done the wrong thing whilst ashore. I wanted him charged, but I wanted all the evidence heard, and all the context, so he received a fair trial/fair and just punishment. The defence lawyer was a Navy Leut, (Army Capt equiv) and was useless. He hardly said anything. I had to tell him how to wear his uniform. He was a classic case of "a lawyer who gets thrown a uniform for a day." Totally useless/no idea. It was up to us (witnesses) to try and help out, because he wouldn't. In hindsight, I could have done a better job. But I thought this guy deserved a "real lawyer", because the prosecution had one. Wheras the prosecution counsel was ruthless and abusive. She was a rank higher, Lcdr (army Maj equiv) . She had all the female witnesses crying, she was so ruthless. I was very intimidated when I was called. But she was very condescending/insulting when she discussed my record for her own ends. That made me very angry, and from then on, I was ok. She asked me a question and demanded a "yes or no" answer. This was prejudicial/wrong context. I questioned it. She flew into a rage and screamed "Yes or NO!!!!!" I questioned the judge whether I was allowed to answer/yes or no not appropriate/in context. She lost it and screamed at me. The judge told her to be silent, and said "I'll let the Chief finish/want to hear what he has to say". I was allowed to say that the offence was committed ashore/not against authority/just against another guy; so it blurred the case/told context. The judge listened, and so did the court. It allowed SOME defence/made it fairer. The prosecutor had then shown weakness, and subsequent witnesses also appealed to the judge to "not be badgered". When he gave his verdict, is was fair, but less than the prosecutor was expecting. She stood up and lectured the judge that "surely he didn't realise the gravity......" Well, he just transformed. He had not raised his voice during the trial, but he SCREAMED at her. "Counsel, HOW DARE YOU QUESTION MY RULING!!!!!!!" And proceeded to tear her head off. By the end, SHE was crying. The system does work, but sometimes you have to work at it. In the end, the angle/context I would have used in his defence came out in my testimony anyway. His sentence was fair, he realised that, and after that he went on to continue being a very good sailor who acknowledged that he "had done wrong/made a mistake." That was 20 years ago and we are still friends. Military friendships tend to endure.
Lieutenant Kendrick came across as smug and arrogant until he started to get rattled by Lieutenant Kaffee. In the end, he knew had been caught out lying.
Its the same thing he used against Col Jessup later. They can't have it both ways, either they ordered the code red and are now lying, or their Marines are doing whatever the hell they want in volition of direct orders, which makes them look incompetent.
Doesn't Jack Nicholson get an honorable mention in this scroll..? 🤔 Kevin is a ripper as the govt prosecutor. Have watched this movie hundreds of times, and skits like these millions of times, still can't get enough of them...! 👌
@fire edi agree, these are real life situations and he can shine and sparkle like a mature lawyer as opposed to 70 year old Tom doing action sequences that 20 year Olds can't do, and because it is Tom, fans had to accept it...! 🤭
@@gregshock 70 is an exaggeration to highlight the make believe action sequences that he does. But he is 60 years old in 10 days ... We both are not too far from reality, except in the opposite ends... I am a die hard fan of Tom too. Can't have enough of the film, A Few good men.
Oh my gosh, I can't stop watching Tom Cruise in this...he was an awesome actor...way underrated....He was excellent this court battle...this scene was great.
One of my all-time favorites. A great example of when everything lines up for a great film. The writing, the directing, the acting, the story...it's all top-notch.
Recently saw this film for the first time, I bought it on dvd for $1!!! Best dollar I’ve ever spent, one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. It’s made 2 hours feel like 30 minutes. Outstanding and intriguing at every turn
I have to say, I wasn't that happy with Kiefer after seeing this movie (at that time, hadn't seen him in anything else). He got back in my good graces with Designated Survivor 🙂
Movies are absurdly expensive to make and they're a risk of someone's cash so they keep churning out "Marvel Universe" (and similar) stuff. Because those flicks fill seats and return the investment. (And personally, I ain't gonna watch _any_ of 'em.)
@@Inalienablerights15why yes? also... there are plenty u just need to watch or search if its that important to you but i think i know what you are into. hoolyweird has the political agenda and all villains are stralght whlte males. only movies i seen havin blck villains is lakeview terrace and training day. also one flew a cuckos nest had nurse ratchet as villains.
Good writing on the last line on deciding he didn’t need an answer to the question. Like a real cross-examination, he intended more to get that question to the jury.
Les Grossman regarding William Santiago: "We'll weep for him, in the press, set up a scholarship in his name, and eventually, and I'm talking way way down the road, we file an insurance claim."
It's a brilliant line of questioning from Kaffee. He rides the razor's edge establishing the fact that Kendrick had a history of punishing those who did not blindly carry out what he ordered, regardless of moral turpitude. Once Kendrick has been set up, to ask whether or not Dawson would defy him AGAIN was a masterstroke. Kendrick had been painted into a corner, and Kaffee knew just ASKING the question alone would put doubt in anyone's mind.
Superbly staged and acted--and I'm not a Tom Cruise fan. But the dialogue in this picture, particularly that of Cruise and Nicholson, is prime. Legally, much of this would never be allowed, but from a dramatic standpoint, it really rocks.
Say what you want about Tom Cruise….. cult leader, crazy person…. Probably danger to himself an others. Sure. But God Damn can the man act. For his acting alone he gets a more leash than others which shouldn’t be the case but is. The whole Scientology thing is pretty crazy… but good god his movies rock. Maverick is the best movie I have seen in years. Almost hate admitting it cause the man is pretty out there but he is the epitome of movie star
I say this… admitting i do not know the full scope of his personal life- what has been said/proven or not. Just how involved with Scientology he is or isn’t or whether what that “religion” actually does or doesn’t do etc. So in fairness, I might be completely off base and speaking out of turn and the guy might be personally super upstanding… or not-- Either way, these movies are pretty amazing
@@zacharyboyd7493 Cruise, in better shape than anyone i know of his age, continues to make great films time and time again, has hundreds of millions and is killing it in life. Pretty sure he couldn't give a fuck about the opinions of strangers barely scraping by .
@@zacharyboyd7493 - from what I’ve seen of Tom when he’s being interviewed, I find him…odd. HOWEVER, you’re 100% correct that his movies are amazing AND yes, Top Gun: Maverick is THE BEST!
It's not his performance, it's Hollywood politics. He pissed somebody off, and now he's valuable as a leading man, but made too many enemies to get an Academy Award.
GREAT observation, the last question from Tom Cruise pretty much nailed down the fact that a code red was ordered long before Nicholson took the stand.
Yep, it both shows that Dawson would never be so malicious as to initiate a Code Red himself AND totally explains why Dawson wouldn’t hesitate to follow Kendrick’s orders in the Santiago situation given he was already on thin ice with him for being sympathetic to the previously punished Private.
@@drlee2 Dawson's character was further fleshed out by Corporal Barnes (Noah Wyle's character). He was asked if he wanted to give Santiago a code red, and he replied "Yes". He made it clear that he wouldn't do it because Dawson would've kicked his butt if he went near him. This paints a different picture of a vicious person with vengeance on their mind, asserted by Captain Ross's (Bacon) opening statement of Dawson entering Sntiago's room with intent to kill. Considering Kaffee had absolutely NO EVIDENCE, he really pull of a "magic act".
This is, without a doubt, Tom Cruise's best performance as an actor, just amazing!, he was mixing it up with a lot of heavy weights, Keifer Sutherland, Jack Nicholson, Kevin Bacon, just amazing acting. Wow.
Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon were also phenomenal in this even though they had smaller supporting roles but they stand out and with an all-star cast this film that says something.
Why do so many people have to write about how and why this couldn't actually occur in a real-world court of law? We get it: It's a film. Let it the fuck go.
One thing about this film was missing is, it didn't show the kendrick's arrested scene. And after Top Gun had a sequel, i wish there's a chance for this film to have a sequel....
I’ve thought this for years! Entitled “a few more good men” where kaffee defends one while the other turns states (or military equivalent) Good possibility
LOVE THE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL and LOGICAL breakdown... gave that witness nowhere to go, but yell out in frustration. Then walked away not feeling a thing... PRICELESS!!!
No way!!!! The 30's, 40's and 50's were the greatest by far. None of these actors as good as they are can touch the talent of Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart, Spencer Tracy, James Cagney ,John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Orson Wells, Kirk Douglas, Paul Newman, Cary Grant ect....
I love this scene. Both Tom Cruise and Kiefer Sutherland are top-notch. My favorite little moment is at the end when Kendrick fixes his furious gaze on Kaffee, pure hate in his eyes, and when Ross redirects, he has to prompt Kendrick twice before Kendrick blinks and refocuses. Great acting there.
@@mejercit his career was over the day one of the men in his charge died. Even if he hadn’t ordered the Code Red no one would’ve given him a command ever again
I never really thought about that, but Kendrick DID feign ignorance on Dawson's report, but it all became clear that he knew EXACTLY why he gave Dawson that rating of "Below Average". It may have been obvious that he knew, but his first answer was vague enough to skirt perjury. However, he basically lost credibility when his "follow orders, or else" mantra came to the fore. He knew about Dawson's report and he knew why he wrote it.
For what it may be worth, for those interested in this court scene. I shared offices this past year with the Military General and JAG lawyer who coached all these actors in the courtroom scenes. This was over a period of several months of in-depth rehearsals and coaching to get all their parts to be as realistic as possible. We had two huge posters in the office from this movie. It was cool to hear some of the stories from "behind the scenes" on how this all came together. This gentleman has worked in the White House, etc. for several presidents and been on some of the most historic US Military cases ever, they were being coached by basically the top military lawyer in the US.
Those candles were damn good quality but I used the hell outta of him that's when he was getting a normal night's rest now dare I say I really never bad mouth those products don't think
At 0:30 Kendrick clearly perjured himself on the stand and the movie skipped right past it. He had earlier responded that he did not know why Dawson received the below-average report. Then later, when asked again, he explains it was because Dawson disobeyed a direct order.
@@mastod0n1Hollywood has nothing to do with it. That exact thing occurs in real trials, and is part of defense strategy. Defense lawyers, (the best ones anyways) are experts of questioning in such a way as to lead a witness into the trap, just as was done here. They also know when to switch gears, again as shown here when the judge says "Not so fast" to the prosecution's objection. It is a fine line to tread though.
I'll lose my place in the comments if I go back and look, but it seemed like first Kendrick said he did not know why Dawson received the below-average report, but when asked again, he replied that Dawson disobeyed a direct order - but he didn't say Dawson received the below-average report *because* he disobeyed a direct order, did he? If I'm right about that, could Kendrick have just barely skated on perjury?
Is Kiefer Sutherland the one playing lieutenant Kendricks? Is it a sneer that he has? What about Tom Cruises vicious faces, if it is called sneers, in any case he is not very likable. Probably deep tensions. Why do we hold on to them for no good purpose? Old, stale, automatic habit.
Bacon... Cruise... Sutherland Three powerhouses of actors on the same set in the same scene... I don't think there's another movie with these three again...
@@l.a.3479 I meant actors the same age. Yes Jack Nicholson is a legend but we're talking about Tom Cruise Kevin Bacon and Kiefer Sutherland acting in the scene the same time...
Tom Cruise was not even nominated for an Oscar that year, which was a shame. However, he would not have won it since nobody could outperform Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman
I've always thought Tom Cruise was a movie star, not an actor. In nearly every movie, he plays a slightly different version of... wait for it... Tom Cruise.
@@chadley25 couldn’t disagree more! Born on the Fourth of July, Rainman, interview with a vampire, eyes wide shut, Mission impossible….all different! Risky business, cocktail, Jerry Maguire and top gun… An Incredible body of work. I’m not so sure I get his personal life or his religion… But truthfully IDGAF about any of that…he’s a hell of an actor!
And while in high school, he turned his paren’t suburban home into a bordello, got it on with Rebecca Demornay and drove his paren’t Porsche into Lake Michigan. What a life
Yes! They really used his face well in this movie with so many close-ups, lol, except that to me it was distracting with how abnormally good looking he was.
When Lt. Kendrick told Kaffee at Gitmo that "God was watching," that's how you know the guy is clueless about God and he is guilty and will be using God as a screen. Same thing here with his two authority references.
Always appreciated how fair minded the judge was. He warned Kaffee a few times but always allowed him to continue when new evidence was brought to light.
I really liked him as Dawson in "The Spook Who Sat By The Door."
thats not what your mom said last night
l agree completely.
The judge wasn't fair-minded, he was denying the defendant the right to a fair trial. There's nothing wrong with a defence lawyer questioning whether a witness had committed the crime rather than the defendant. It's the defendant's constitutional right to have him do so. The premise of the movie is that a defence lawyer can't accuse a high-ranking officer of a crime is nonsense; it was just added to add drama.
lol...right! And his pointing out to the Colonel how his status is well earned is just great, IMO.
Kaffee is such a well-defined character. He doesn’t give a shit about any of the stuff that Marines pride themselves on, which makes him exactly the kind of guy who can infuriate them.
He doesn’t care because he’s never been in that position to care, he’s just done navy lawyer not actual service, it’s a good contrast to the people he’s arguing against, this film is incredible
I'd say, in his own way, he give MORE of a shit. He doesn't care about obediance, or being in the military. He cares about doing the right thing for the people in his care. He's what I wished the officers above me had been like.
@@CrunchyKieran15 Well, the marines in this case were the ones carrying on a lie. I would like to think the military is about truth and justice.
He only cares about himself
He is in a position a command position he has to care or else he wouldn't be in command
In the final scene of the movie, I loved how Bacon’s character remarked “I’ve got to go arrest Lieutenant Kendrick.” to which Cruise says, “Tell him I said Hi!”
Every lawyer watching this movie loved that scene --- they are bitter enemies in court, but outside of it they can be the best of friends
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I love that character. He fought as hard as he could for the government. But he perfectly says it in a bar scene. "I represent the government without passion. And my client has a case" He remained true to that statement. While in court he was tough as nails.
He should have said he's just finished his last case and is available if he needs a lawyer.
I was in the Corps, and I served under an officer just like Kendrick. He once gave me an unlawful order and I refused to obey it. When he started in on me, I told him, "Sir, with all due respect, you're being an asshole!" He tried me to nail me, but our CO got involved and it turned out I was in the right. One of the things that saved my ass was the "with all due respect" comment and having witnesses who told the truth.
The way Kaffee corners the Marine's arguments against their own logic is exquisite.
This movie is so well acted by the whole cast and the script is impeccable to boot. Fine piece of American cinema.
1992 : Pinnacle of the American Empire on planet earth
Well the script is by Aaron Sorkin. Not much else needs to be said...
Wish they still made movies like these
@@ZATennisFan Sorkin is an overwrought pillow biter. All his screenplays feel pretentious.
Shaurya - it's remake in Hindi is also great
Much has been made of Tom and Jack’s performance in this movie, and rightly so, but Kiefer nailed it here. Some of the small details, looks, glances that he makes. Perfection.
Yes, such a masterful actor.
It was an all-star cast which explains why the movie is so good --- nothing really shocking here
Just like in A Time To Kill, he plays a great a$$hole...!
Kevin Bacon too
Yes kudos to Sutherland but alot of those small details and subtleties are from the input of the _director_ (Reiner)
Kiefer Sutherland is an underated actor. He was so good in this movie and everything he does
Agreed. He was that Marine.
The highest compliment one can pay an actor is to say that you hate them based on an unlikeable character they played. Kendrick was loathesome. Sutherland nailed it. Interestingly, he was just as unappealing in "A Time to Kill." I do think he is underrated, as you do Mr. Rider.
I've never seen this movie but I like both Tom and Kiefer. In fact, I'm rewatching the entire 24 series.
Who the hell underates him.
'underrated' is an overrated phrase in RUclips.
Kaffee's direct examination was brilliant. He connected the Curtis Bell incident to a Code Red. I'm sure the jury was able to see that. Plus, I love how he got under Kendrick's skin.
Yes, he proved that the fanaticism was coming from a person going over the line of duty to subjugate a form of undue stress from orders that were excessive and a pathology of complete fanaticism without humanity.
lawyers will often do or ask questions such as these that they know may be overstepping to prove a point knowing it won't get an answer. They will immediately withdraw it but by then the point has been made and it has the jury thinking.
Thin skin.
Kendrick was boiling just watching Kaffee rip him apart like a Christmas goose LOL
It was Kaffee’s cross examination and comparison between the Curtis Bell incident and the Santiago incident that made this entire questioning amazing. He easily and not only distinguished between another type of CODE RED (hazing) between Bell and Santiago, but he also showed that the authority of following orders has a very thin line of crossing
This line of questioning was actually critical to the entire case.
This film had so many good moments overshadowed by the exchange between Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise at the end. The last part is what people remember. But the build up to that scene was instrumental in making the climax of the film as good as it was. A Few Good Men could be made into a textbook on what good story-telling is.
The way Kendrick glares over at Dawson shows his utter contempt for even being questioned. The whole court scene(s) are so well acted.
Think about how it was filmed. The camera had to be facing Tom Cruise when he was asking the questions. Then it had to be turned to face Keifer Sutherland to respond. The pace is intense but it must have been broken into pieces during filming which would have caused fragmentation. Just top notch production work.
@@furryp2402 you do realize they have more than one camera
@@raggededge82 Ι m so laughing on this.
@@raggededge82if they were running at the same time you'd see each in the others shot. This was indeed filmed as described. In fact for a some of Cruises dialogue Kevin Pollack sat in as Nicholson
@@jacobscott9732 yes they filmed the scenes multiple times of course, but not the way the other poster described it.
When Maverick had to stop flying for a bit and deal with court matters
🤣❤️
Grounded for buzzing the tower one too many times
i watched half this movie on tv once thinking it was topgun
According to his ranks he would've been JAG first then a pilot lol unless he got demoted and grounded for buzzing the towers then somehow managed to make CPT for TG2... 🤣 he was a LT in Top Gun, he's an LTJG in A Few Good Men. Lol
This is a different film and you know it. That's really lame.
Brilliant scene. So much to see and appreciate here.
KS's Kendrick is a brilliant portrayal. A junior career officer at the bottom rung and determined to do well/say the right things. Anyone who has served sees a LOT of these. He THINKS he has it all over Kaffee, and he despises him as "a smart arse lawyer who has no idea about the marines", and he is partially right.
But he underestimates Kaffee's intelligence/knowledge of the law (even military law) and also underestimates what the judge and courtroom will evaluate and listen to.
I was called to a summary hearing whilst serving as a Chief in my Navy (RAN). At that level, it was a very intimidating environment.
I had been "to the table" a LOT as a senior Chief, and as a Warrant officer (our highest NCO, an E9) both to represent/defend, and to prosecute. I was a Chief for 14 years, and a Warrant Officer for almost as long, so (as a Divisional Officer) I had to "look after" a lot of sailors. I did 20 years at sea during my 40 in uniform, so there are a lot of "incidents."
I was summoned as a defence witness for a sailor in a summary court. The Defence Magistrate wore a Commanders uniform, so one rank below the Colonel in the clip.
Don't get me wrong. The guy charged worked for me, and he was a very good sailor, but he had done the wrong thing whilst ashore. I wanted him charged, but I wanted all the evidence heard, and all the context, so he received a fair trial/fair and just punishment.
The defence lawyer was a Navy Leut, (Army Capt equiv) and was useless. He hardly said anything. I had to tell him how to wear his uniform. He was a classic case of "a lawyer who gets thrown a uniform for a day." Totally useless/no idea. It was up to us (witnesses) to try and help out, because he wouldn't. In hindsight, I could have done a better job. But I thought this guy deserved a "real lawyer", because the prosecution had one.
Wheras the prosecution counsel was ruthless and abusive. She was a rank higher, Lcdr (army Maj equiv) . She had all the female witnesses crying, she was so ruthless.
I was very intimidated when I was called. But she was very condescending/insulting when she discussed my record for her own ends. That made me very angry, and from then on, I was ok.
She asked me a question and demanded a "yes or no" answer. This was prejudicial/wrong context. I questioned it. She flew into a rage and screamed "Yes or NO!!!!!"
I questioned the judge whether I was allowed to answer/yes or no not appropriate/in context.
She lost it and screamed at me. The judge told her to be silent, and said "I'll let the Chief finish/want to hear what he has to say". I was allowed to say that the offence was committed ashore/not against authority/just against another guy; so it blurred the case/told context.
The judge listened, and so did the court. It allowed SOME defence/made it fairer.
The prosecutor had then shown weakness, and subsequent witnesses also appealed to the judge to "not be badgered".
When he gave his verdict, is was fair, but less than the prosecutor was expecting.
She stood up and lectured the judge that "surely he didn't realise the gravity......"
Well, he just transformed. He had not raised his voice during the trial, but he SCREAMED at her.
"Counsel, HOW DARE YOU QUESTION MY RULING!!!!!!!" And proceeded to tear her head off. By the end, SHE was crying.
The system does work, but sometimes you have to work at it.
In the end, the angle/context I would have used in his defence came out in my testimony anyway.
His sentence was fair, he realised that, and after that he went on to continue being a very good sailor who acknowledged that he "had done wrong/made a mistake."
That was 20 years ago and we are still friends. Military friendships tend to endure.
Lieutenant Kendrick came across as smug and arrogant until he started to get rattled by Lieutenant Kaffee. In the end, he knew had been caught out lying.
Its the same thing he used against Col Jessup later. They can't have it both ways, either they ordered the code red and are now lying, or their Marines are doing whatever the hell they want in volition of direct orders, which makes them look incompetent.
Kaffee is the arrogant and smug one, no doubt. Hands in his pockets, acting like a prick..... definitely arrogant.
That is how lawyers are trained in law school, they know how to trip you up under preassure
This is a great scene, the way Kiefer answers the questions, calmly, then blows his kool when asked about Santiago, great acting,
@@l.a.3479 qewl
I loved the Kiefer Sutherland line, “we like the Navy, whenever we have to go someplace to fight, you always give us a ride”.
I was a Navy Sailor, let me tell you. Marines are not considered the sharpest tools in the shed.
@@jibrilthegreat35 MARINE - Muscles Are Required, Intelligence Not Essential
@@paul-gs4be Navy sailors are called squids 🦑
@@logdog6762 pretty much, one of the requirements to join the marines are a pulse and remembers full name and DOB.
Navy and Marines have always had a rather contentious relationship.
Cruise is a damn good actor. So are Bacon and Sutherland.
Doesn't Jack Nicholson get an honorable mention in this scroll..? 🤔
Kevin is a ripper as the govt prosecutor.
Have watched this movie hundreds of times, and skits like these millions of times, still can't get enough of them...! 👌
@@guppi277: Nicholson? Do I even have to say it? I didn’t mention him and you think I’m dissing Jack? Are you serious?
@fire edi agree, these are real life situations and he can shine and sparkle like a mature lawyer as opposed to 70 year old Tom doing action sequences that 20 year Olds can't do, and because it is Tom, fans had to accept it...! 🤭
@@guppi277: Tom is about 55. Just saying.
@@gregshock 70 is an exaggeration to highlight the make believe action sequences that he does. But he is 60 years old in 10 days ... We both are not too far from reality, except in the opposite ends...
I am a die hard fan of Tom too. Can't have enough of the film, A Few good men.
Tom Cruise is a LEGEND.....Top Gun Maverick and A Few Good Men are two of my favorite movies of all-time..
I love that, "not so fast" from the judge
I love the way Caffee works effectively in making Kendrick quietly seething inside. He knew he was a smug pos.
Oh my gosh, I can't stop watching Tom Cruise in this...he was an awesome actor...way underrated....He was excellent this court battle...this scene was great.
Im not a Tom Cruise fan, however, this movie was incredibly well acted not just him but Jack Nicholson, Kevin Bacon & Keifer Sutherland
Such a well performed and powerful movie. All the actors and actresses deserved an Oscar.
One of my all-time favorites. A great example of when everything lines up for a great film. The writing, the directing, the acting, the story...it's all top-notch.
This movie is a masterclass in acting by pretty much everyone of its stars.
Recently saw this film for the first time, I bought it on dvd for $1!!! Best dollar I’ve ever spent, one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. It’s made 2 hours feel like 30 minutes. Outstanding and intriguing at every turn
Sutherland does such a masterful job of portraying Kendrick's smug arrogance here...makes one loathe the guy.
Colonel Nathan Jessup is another arrogant character like Lieutenant Kendrick.
I have to say, I wasn't that happy with Kiefer after seeing this movie (at that time, hadn't seen him in anything else). He got back in my good graces with Designated Survivor 🙂
@@l.a.3479. Kendrick is Jessup JR.
@@transitfan954 This and "A Time to Kill"
His father was Odd Ball, so how could he NOT be good!
Still blows my mind that Kiefer is 4 years younger than Tom Cruise …
A good movie with an all star cast. Unfortunately these days Hollywood is unable to produce such dramas.
Movies are absurdly expensive to make and they're a risk of someone's cash so they keep churning out "Marvel Universe" (and similar) stuff. Because those flicks fill seats and return the investment. (And personally, I ain't gonna watch _any_ of 'em.)
All the actors in this movie really put up an outstanding performance
I've never seen the black defendant in any other movie. Why not?
@@Inalienablerights15 Wow... good point
@@Inalienablerights15why yes?
also... there are plenty u just need to watch or search if its that important to you but i think i know what you are into. hoolyweird has the political agenda and all villains are stralght whlte males. only movies i seen havin blck villains is lakeview terrace and training day. also one flew a cuckos nest had nurse ratchet as villains.
It is illegal to follow illegal orders. ‘Just following orders’ is not a defense.
Tom Cruise ♥️ is an absolutely brilliant actor , he can play any role and knock down any other actor who would have played the part
Good writing on the last line on deciding he didn’t need an answer to the question. Like a real cross-examination, he intended more to get that question to the jury.
in 1992, Tom Cruise, Jack Nicolson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon and Kiefer Sutherland sure made this movie an all star cast. Oceans Courthouse 5 😎
When I picked up this film on VHS it was a good movie... Now it's a classic, and a fine piece of cinema history.
Les Grossman regarding William Santiago: "We'll weep for him, in the press, set up a scholarship in his name, and eventually, and I'm talking way way down the road, we file an insurance claim."
We will file at the end of the fiscal year...
@@rumrnr78 actually the claim alone will net us more
@@haroon420 such a classic scene! I love how it goes from "way off in the future" to the end of the quarter!
Go to town on Santiago --- skin the motherfucker!
@@haroon420 Would they file an insurance claim to even exploit his death?
"If Santiago was ordered not to be touched, then why did he have to be transferred off the base?" Are we clear? Crystal!
Forget "You can't handle the truth." THIS is the best scene in the movie.
It's a brilliant line of questioning from Kaffee. He rides the razor's edge establishing the fact that Kendrick had a history of punishing those who did not blindly carry out what he ordered, regardless of moral turpitude. Once Kendrick has been set up, to ask whether or not Dawson would defy him AGAIN was a masterstroke. Kendrick had been painted into a corner, and Kaffee knew just ASKING the question alone would put doubt in anyone's mind.
every scene in this movie is fantastic!! this movie is soo good!!
WRONG
Half right. Typewriter scene is best ha
Said back at him to !
_"Yes I ordered the code red and I hope he burns in hell!"_
wait wrong movie.
Superbly staged and acted--and I'm not a Tom Cruise fan. But the dialogue in this picture, particularly that of Cruise and Nicholson, is prime. Legally, much of this would never be allowed, but from a dramatic standpoint, it really rocks.
Say what you want about Tom Cruise….. cult leader, crazy person…. Probably danger to himself an others. Sure. But God Damn can the man act. For his acting alone he gets a more leash than others which shouldn’t be the case but is. The whole Scientology thing is pretty crazy… but good god his movies rock.
Maverick is the best movie I have seen in years. Almost hate admitting it cause the man is pretty out there but he is the epitome of movie star
I say this… admitting i do not know the full scope of his personal life- what has been said/proven or not. Just how involved with Scientology he is or isn’t or whether what that “religion” actually does or doesn’t do etc. So in fairness, I might be completely off base and speaking out of turn and the guy might be personally super upstanding… or not--
Either way, these movies are pretty amazing
@@zacharyboyd7493 Cruise, in better shape than anyone i know of his age, continues to make great films time and time again, has hundreds of millions and is killing it in life. Pretty sure he couldn't give a fuck about the opinions of strangers barely scraping by .
@Jess Frankel Why everybody have to emphasize they are not a Tom Cruise fan ? He is a nice actor .
@@zacharyboyd7493 - from what I’ve seen of Tom when he’s being interviewed, I find him…odd. HOWEVER, you’re 100% correct that his movies are amazing AND yes, Top Gun: Maverick is THE BEST!
To this day I still wonder what Tom Cruise has yet to receive an Academy Award. This performance was absolutely brilliant.
There's at least four films where Cruise deserved an Oscar --- this one, Born on 4th of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia
It's not his performance, it's Hollywood politics. He pissed somebody off, and now he's valuable as a leading man, but made too many enemies to get an Academy Award.
@@kerzytibok3211 Color of Money!
For the same reason Mark Walhberg, Harrison Ford, and Bruce Willis have never won one: they play themselves in every movie.
@@mc76 And THAT is brilliant!
This Keifer Sutherland clip explains more than the Jack Nicholson clip.
GREAT observation, the last question from Tom Cruise pretty much nailed down the fact that a code red was ordered long before Nicholson took the stand.
Yep, it both shows that Dawson would never be so malicious as to initiate a Code Red himself AND totally explains why Dawson wouldn’t hesitate to follow Kendrick’s orders in the Santiago situation given he was already on thin ice with him for being sympathetic to the previously punished Private.
@@drlee2 Dawson's character was further fleshed out by Corporal Barnes (Noah Wyle's character). He was asked if he wanted to give Santiago a code red, and he replied "Yes". He made it clear that he wouldn't do it because Dawson would've kicked his butt if he went near him. This paints a different picture of a vicious person with vengeance on their mind, asserted by Captain Ross's (Bacon) opening statement of Dawson entering Sntiago's room with intent to kill. Considering Kaffee had absolutely NO EVIDENCE, he really pull of a "magic act".
This is, without a doubt, Tom Cruise's best performance as an actor, just amazing!, he was mixing it up with a lot of heavy weights, Keifer Sutherland, Jack Nicholson, Kevin Bacon, just amazing acting. Wow.
Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon were also phenomenal in this even though they had smaller supporting roles but they stand out and with an all-star cast this film that says something.
Why do so many people have to write about how and why this couldn't actually occur in a real-world court of law? We get it: It's a film.
Let it the fuck go.
Ahh, yes. The R-Rated version of Frozen. Remembered for songs such as: “Let it the Fuck go!” and “Do you wanna fuck a Snowman?”.
Well said
Worse has happened
Worse has happened
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Kiefer Sutherland plays such a good villain in this movie.
One thing about this film was missing is, it didn't show the kendrick's arrested scene.
And after Top Gun had a sequel, i wish there's a chance for this film to have a sequel....
And what would it be about? Jessup appeals but now pleads the Fifth?
@@25756881 i don't know. Maybe his children want revenge to kaffee, or similar plot with mavericks, but in different circumstances
Id rather just see a Top Gun 3 instead of a sequel to this movie --- Nicholson retired from acting anyway
@@fredwerza3478 it is, but there's nothing impossible in this world. I mean, it could be his comeback, or the film set 30-35 years after the trial
I’ve thought this for years!
Entitled “a few more good men” where kaffee defends one while the other turns states (or military equivalent)
Good possibility
LOVE THE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL and LOGICAL breakdown... gave that witness nowhere to go, but yell out in frustration. Then walked away not feeling a thing... PRICELESS!!!
“You don’t have to, I’m through”. 🤣🤣🤣👍
This CAST is just UNREAL !!!! No CGI's. no graphics...just pure TALENT !!!
This generation of actors will never ever be surpassed. They are the best
No way!!!! The 30's, 40's and 50's were the greatest by far. None of these actors as good as they are can touch the talent of Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart, Spencer Tracy, James Cagney ,John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Orson Wells, Kirk Douglas, Paul Newman, Cary Grant ect....
I hate the rubbish movies that are served up these days. Very few worth watching.
@@VenturiLife it's pretty sad when Dwayne Johnson is one of the highest-paid actors working today LOL
I love this scene. Both Tom Cruise and Kiefer Sutherland are top-notch. My favorite little moment is at the end when Kendrick fixes his furious gaze on Kaffee, pure hate in his eyes, and when Ross redirects, he has to prompt Kendrick twice before Kendrick blinks and refocuses. Great acting there.
Dawson's stare at Lt Kendrick at 2:58 was amazing
You know he perjured himself on the stand saying he did not know why Dawson's eval was substandard, but later he knew exactly why.
In real life the members of the panel would’ve seen that as well
@@Onecooltop75 That alone would have been a career ender for Kendrick.
@@mejercit his career was over the day one of the men in his charge died. Even if he hadn’t ordered the Code Red no one would’ve given him a command ever again
I never really thought about that, but Kendrick DID feign ignorance on Dawson's report, but it all became clear that he knew EXACTLY why he gave Dawson that rating of "Below Average". It may have been obvious that he knew, but his first answer was vague enough to skirt perjury. However, he basically lost credibility when his "follow orders, or else" mantra came to the fore. He knew about Dawson's report and he knew why he wrote it.
This movie is a classic a great movie ,great acting all around ,it never gets old
When the movie was on the screen some critics said that it got the nazi aesthetic....Everything is too perfect.
Jack Bauer: Origins.
Tom Cruise is such a fine actor... 👍
When Jack Bauer gives you an order, you gotta follow
For what it may be worth, for those interested in this court scene. I shared offices this past year with the Military General and JAG lawyer who coached all these actors in the courtroom scenes. This was over a period of several months of in-depth rehearsals and coaching to get all their parts to be as realistic as possible. We had two huge posters in the office from this movie. It was cool to hear some of the stories from "behind the scenes" on how this all came together. This gentleman has worked in the White House, etc. for several presidents and been on some of the most historic US Military cases ever, they were being coached by basically the top military lawyer in the US.
Jilambu Mustafa and Alibaba Rahim like to eat gyros!
Name him.
@@brilliant13675 Alibaba Rahim!
@@CarlosHernandez-kd2vb looked up that name can't find anything
@@brilliant13675 A bit of attitude? You could have looked him up in the credits of the movie. David M. Brahms, retired Brigadier General.
One of his finest portrayals
Tom ❤️
We all think of him as action hero but he pretty much cleaned the floor in this dramatic sequence
Those candles were damn good quality but I used the hell outta of him that's when he was getting a normal night's rest now dare I say I really never bad mouth those products don't think
@@troydixson1394 What the what
Even the worst criminal deserves proper food & shelter, respect. Until the final meal is served.
You can see how mad Kendrick was getting during the questioning as if to say"how dare you question my methods of disaplining of my men"
“disciplining”
@@westyraviz yeah,the code reds in Kendrick's and Jessup"s minds are methods of disaplining their men when they fall out of line
@@AR-xd3dpdisciplining. Even when corrected, you get it wrong again. Don't be illiterate.
@@dougalmacrobbie1918 What's that suppose to mean,all L'm doing is pointing out a person's state of mind at that moment in time
The cast in this movie was amazing with top tier performances from all!
This is when Ethan Hunt interrogates Jack Bauer.
The trial lasted 24 hours and was an impossible brief.
@@feliscorax 👏🏼
One of the first movies where the best actor could have easily gone to more than one person. This was both Cruises and Jacks finest hour
At 0:30 Kendrick clearly perjured himself on the stand and the movie skipped right past it. He had earlier responded that he did not know why Dawson received the below-average report. Then later, when asked again, he explains it was because Dawson disobeyed a direct order.
That in itself should have impeached everything he said about anything.
@@MisterMediocrity-uu9gxyou're right, but this is Hollywood
@@mastod0n1Hollywood has nothing to do with it. That exact thing occurs in real trials, and is part of defense strategy. Defense lawyers, (the best ones anyways) are experts of questioning in such a way as to lead a witness into the trap, just as was done here. They also know when to switch gears, again as shown here when the judge says "Not so fast" to the prosecution's objection. It is a fine line to tread though.
I'll lose my place in the comments if I go back and look, but it seemed like first Kendrick said he did not know why Dawson received the below-average report, but when asked again, he replied that Dawson disobeyed a direct order - but he didn't say Dawson received the below-average report *because* he disobeyed a direct order, did he? If I'm right about that, could Kendrick have just barely skated on perjury?
Tom Cruise’s 2 best movies was this, and ‘’The Last Samurai.” These are when action and fluff stopped and real acting reined supreme
Keiffer has a natural snare that always makes him a villan
yes. GREAT ACTOR. EVIL GUYS HE PLAYS, BUT NEVER LACKS DRAMATIC RANGE TO SHOW EVILNESS IN SOCIETY.
Is Kiefer Sutherland the one playing lieutenant Kendricks? Is it a sneer that he has?
What about Tom Cruises vicious faces, if it is called sneers, in any case he is not very likable. Probably deep tensions. Why do we hold on to them for no good purpose? Old, stale, automatic habit.
How did Tom Cruise not win an Oscar for this movie ?
the way kendrick got set up by that "he learned not to disobey orders" line of questioning at the end.
Tom Cruise is perfect in this movie
"Yeah, it wasn't a really order, was it? After all, it's peacetime!"
Jack should have objected to that one too.
I like Kiefer Sutherland's aura of menace in this film.
This part alone should have got Cruise the Academy Award
You can't handle the truth!
*gotten*
Bacon... Cruise... Sutherland
Three powerhouses of actors on the same set in the same scene...
I don't think there's another movie with these three again...
Nicholas...hello?
@@l.a.3479 I meant actors the same age. Yes Jack Nicholson is a legend but we're talking about Tom Cruise Kevin Bacon and Kiefer Sutherland acting in the scene the same time...
@@AndyGillis6273 I see...
The judge reminds him that he has an “impeccable service record”? Hmmm. Putting his finger on the scale of justice a bit.
I miss movies like that. When our current Hollywood was young and hungry. And when movies were original.
Tom Cruise not winning an Oscar thus far shows how stupid Oscars really are. Tom Cruise is terrific in everything.
Tom Cruise was not even nominated for an Oscar that year, which was a shame. However, he would not have won it since nobody could outperform Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman
He might have won one if he hadn't given up acting for stardom.
@@Dabhach1 I am only talking about this movie precisely. And yes you might be right, who knows
I've always thought Tom Cruise was a movie star, not an actor. In nearly every movie, he plays a slightly different version of... wait for it... Tom Cruise.
@@chadley25 couldn’t disagree more! Born on the Fourth of July, Rainman, interview with a vampire, eyes wide shut, Mission impossible….all different! Risky business, cocktail, Jerry Maguire and top gun… An Incredible body of work. I’m not so sure I get his personal life or his religion… But truthfully IDGAF about any of that…he’s a hell of an actor!
Best role of Tom Cruise ever!!!! Deeply respect!!!!
Tom Cruise might be a bit eccentric but man can he act!
Very underrated scene, excellent performances.
Tom looked so incredibly young here. He was already 30, but could easily be mistaken for 22.
Hard to believe that Kiefer Sutherland is 4 years younger than Tom Cruise but looks older than him.
You forgot to mention Demi Moore --- she is the same age as Cruise
@@jwgoon I don't think Kiefer looks older than Tom in this movie. (JMO)
22 is a stretch.
I think this is the best Tom Cruise movie
And after this court appearance Maverick got back on in jet and flew away…
When acting was believable.......such a fine film.
Ahaha... The timing of the Scene City sfx at 0:28 is too good.
Such an excellent scene filled with incredibly talented actors.
thats was a brutal performance from both of them. Hell yea!
Pete Mitchell went from F14 pilot, to lawyer, then to an IMF agent. We thank you for your service! /j
Well, Jonathan Kendrick went from a vampire to a Jarhead to a CTU agent repeatedly saving America. We thank him for his service.
Not to mention he lost his legs in Vietnam . The dude's a beast.
And while in high school, he turned his paren’t suburban home into a bordello, got it on with Rebecca Demornay and drove his paren’t Porsche into Lake Michigan. What a life
Young Tom Cruise is insanely beautiful.
The past tense of "is" is "was." Cruise is no longer young.
@@DieFlabbergast Dieflabbergast...!
@@DieFlabbergast relax
@@DieFlabbergast deutsche Gründlichkeit 🧐
Kiefer Sutherland's inflections in this performance are a flawless display of talent.
Some awesome acting! You can literally see the fire in Sutherlands eyes!
Can you honestly beat this cast? Immaculate
Really handsome, even beautiful.
Yes! They really used his face well in this movie with so many close-ups, lol, except that to me it was distracting with how abnormally good looking he was.
@@hasick and still us! He’s amazing on many fronts for certain!
Tom Cruise best performance.
Great acting all around.
Kiefer Southerland is an unreal actor!
When Lt. Kendrick told Kaffee at Gitmo that "God was watching," that's how you know the guy is clueless about God and he is guilty and will be using God as a screen. Same thing here with his two authority references.
I could watch this movie 100,000 times😊