Jack Nicholson does such an excellent job of portraying a narcissist. Every sentence he makes is about how important his job is and how he's saving lives. In his mind, he can do no wrong.
The great thing about having such a noble, selfless mission is that it justifies absolutely anything you might say or do! It's incredibly comfortable and convenient.
BUT his job is important. Most of what he says is true. They do have a responsibility to train me in their command. I do see what you are saying, it is self absorbed to a high degree. He is a narcissistic commander, most men in positions of authority are, but he true flaw is not listening to critism and then we he is found out go have made a bad decision he cuts loose, making it look as if he had nothing to do with it.
@@seanwieland9763 except we later find out his method of training turned out to be criminal and then he lies to get out of it. In this moment, you are right, he is correct
Tom was the best Marine and US military personnel in the movie. He responded swiftly to be called upon, to a direct order without any hesitation and waited until he was dismissed to leave.
"..but apparently he's written letters to everybody but Santa Claus.." This line right in the middle of a serious conversation. Jack Nicholson the genius that he is with delivering his lines.
lol. Yeah but what about the comment that just preceded that statement? " Who the *** is William T. Santiago yeah well apparently he ain't too happy down here in Shangri-la. haha.
Probably both… but the Cuban one is a less expensive call and it is his country so yeah I think they should call him first so that he can help them move out
JT Walsh as LTC. Markinson in this movie is a master class performance. His stoic performance in this scene shows that Walsh knew exactly who this character is. he’s an ex intelligence officer badass and his brain is searching through all the possible scenarios as the scene unfolds in front of him. JT Walsh is one of the most underrated actors of our time
I've seen the actor a hundred times and didn't know his name. Agreed - he was a great, underrated actor. I feel bad that I had no idea he'd passed on. RIP.
The guy would have phoned the president saying they are surrendering cuba, had not Jessup stopped him. He didn't even stop to raise his eyebrows. Such a brilliant scene to showcase the total control which Jessup had on his unit.
He's no sarcastic, he is a psychopath...like lots of people in a higher position. Unfortunately and unlike Jessup, they make thru, undisturbed most of the time.
This scene is the key to the entire movie. The arrogant Jessup refuses to acknowledge what’s obvious: that Santiago just isn’t up to standard and needs to be moved on. Jessup is a bully and can only think like a bully. But no amount of bullying will turn Santiago into a quality marine. In the end Jessup causes his own downfall with this pig-headed thinking. Had he listened to Markerson he would not have lost everything.
I think Markinson should have recommended that Santiago be physically reevaluated, and if need be, separated from the USMC instead of suggesting to ship him to another unit. The evidence for asking the Navy to reevaluate Santiago would be the fact that (it's implied) Santiago gets a lot of immediate punitive "training" when he falls out, which is often. It seems unlikely he would keep faking or malingering in those circumstances, only to be diagnosed with heatstroke over and over, then sent back out again.. The Marine officers should've requested a thorough physical exam before doing anything else.
@@SDChargersFreak interesting point. But remember too: Santiago had also been ostracised by the other marines, and this was before they had found out about the letter he had written. As Markinson said, the other marines were going to seriously harm Santiago once the news of the letter came out. The correct thing to do was to get Santiago off the base immediately and then eventually out of the Marine Corps. Keeping Santiago on the base was absolutely the wrong thing to do.
I get the feeling that Nathan perceived Matthew as more of a nuisance, if not a threat rather than a friend, in spite of the hardships they endured together. Which is why he keeps him on a much tighter leash than Kendrick by using the excuse that they are "saving lives", added to the fact that he doesn't truly value the opinions of his executive officer at all. All Jessup expects from him and the entire garrison is unquestionable loyalty, whilst he uses the privilege of his rank and command to belittle his surbordinates. Markinson strikes me as a compassionate, stern and level headed officer, therefore more competent in my opinion. As opposed to Jessup, who is deeply mired in his own arrogance.
@@pethrosuriahson6156 All due to his and Kendrick's shared approach of "make the punishment fit the crime". Which was what happened to Curtis Bell. Though based on the fact that he was physically alive unlike Santiago, surely he would've been able to testify against Jessup and Kendrick? However after his extra judicial punishment at the hands of Lieutenant Kendrick, I'm assuming that all Private Bell could do was simply suffer in silence and do as he was told.
The most flagrant thing any veteran will alert to is is disrespect of his XO. As he's reprimanding a JO he interrupts him. And calls him by his first name in front of a JO again and again.
..... And yet, characters just like Jessup are exactly the type who end up going up thru th ranks th fastest.. This is true for ski resort management, it's true (much of the time) for public school administration, it's true with hospital RNs, and i would VENTUREto say it could well be true with th Marine Corp as well (of course I can be wrong). If i do turn out to be spot on th money, on this assertion, then it would certainly explain why th Marine Corp is saddled, perennially, by th same stigmas and stereotypes it seeks to dismiss..... And that is a real shame, considering the hopes, efforts, dreams and everyday sacrifices that fuel its members to do th incredible things they do for us.
I've come to the conclusion that the real villain in this movie is Gitmo's doctor. That guy put the life of a young soldier in danger and made him meet a tragic death just because he was superficial in his job and didn't want to admit he made a mistake.
While I don't entirely disagree with you, Lt. Kendrick is also majorly responsible. Col. Jessup himself remarks that Kendrick is "a weasel!" Meaning that he is a lot like Jessop...touting his own rules, putting his own standards above regulations based on his own arrogant need to control others. A narcissistic personality which is why Jessop quickly recognizes a younger version of himself in Kendrick
Well, you have come to the wrong conclusion. Jessup is guilty, in every possible way somebody could be guilty. He has no excuse for what he have done. He scared and tried to corrupt everyone in that base. That is called abuse of power. He represents the perfect brainwashed soldier with a gigantic ego, and no brain at all, and he had what he deserved at the end of the movie. Of course the doctor and Kendrick are guilty too. Whoever tried to defend Jessup point, not only he is wrong, but he's totally brainwashed too, and dangerous for the whole human kind. This is just a movie, luckily...but I'm afraid that reality can be worse sometimes.
@@DD-bq9mr I never said that Jessup is innocent, but if he had the real results on Santiago's death maybe his decisions would have been different. But if a doctor tells you that a soldier is just having a sunstroke while he has serious heart problems, the doctor is the most responsable for the soldier's death.
SPOILER alert: PFC William T. Santiago has an undetected heart disease and never should've been exposed to this kind of physical strain. The marine base's hospital and especially their head doctor messed up big time by not diagnosing the man properly and just putting down some quick bs like "heat exhaustion." Based on what Kaffee finds out later on in the novel/film, Santiago probably should've been discharged the moment he first tried to join the army. 🤔 Last time I checked, the US marine chord was not allowed nor interested in recruiting cadets with major organic heart defects. And it's irresponsible enough that the unit's medical team never figured out that crucial point. But to make matters worse, none of his superior officers, including Jessup, ever even considered asking the medical professionals about it again.
When I was in basic for the infantry our reception unit had a guy in it with scoliosis. Now, I don't mean he had some fairly undetectable lump in his spine that certain exercises brought out...no, I mean this guy could have been the Riddlers main henchman with the glaring question mark his spine was shaped into. He couldn't bend down to put on his pt shoes or look up far enough to even see the pull up bars much less use them. Military doesn't care when it's hunting for numbers.
Heart defects in young people are often difficult to detect. Think of the student athletes who keel over on the field unexpectedly, only afterwards being discovered to have an undiagnosed heart condition. The lucky ones survive this discovery, but it doesn't always go that way. In this case the fatal episode happened to occur during a disciplinary exercise in a Marine Corps barrack instead of on a playing field.
he is on the screen. I'm watching it. and I'm scared of him when he said "don't ever question my orders in front of another officer". Nicholson was GOOD!
This military movies……..great movie no doubt. In REAL life, there would’ve been a Command Sergeant Major all over this. Along with the 1SG and other NCO’s.
@KingKhanate1997 we all know Sgt Majors have teleporting and psychic powers. My Sgt Major would have known about the situation instantly and been there within 20 minutes. Lol
the whole conversation between Jessup and Markinson was a conversation between friends up until Jessup addressed Markinson by his name and rank. Then it became business and Jessup had to remind him who the top dog was
@@imcallingjapan2178 Yes, Jessup was being a jerk. But once the boss has made his decision you don't question him in front of others. If you have something to say, you say it in private.
Nicholson was the perfect actor for the Jessup character. I can't think of any other actor from that period that could have done it better. Perhaps Kelsey Grammer?
In both military and police service, members of both services get into more trouble trying to cover up a goof than to own up to what happened. Processing transfer orders for a service member that is already dead, forging tower logs and lying on the stand are offenses that can result time at Fort Leavenworth disciplinary barracks. All Jessip and Kendricks had to do is admit the code red was ordered but was not meant to kill or seriously injure anyone.
You can really see how scared Kendrick is of Jessup, his breathing when the colonel approaches him about training Santiago and threatening to kill him if Santiago fails for example
I think the most defining scene is here when Jessup orders the telephone guy to call the President with this seemingly trivial matter. And the operator doesn't miss a beat. He follows orders. Unhesitatingly. Like a robot
It's funny how that cliched exposition line of "How long we known each other, Bill? 10 years?" is pretty awful on Sorkin's part and probably knew better, but Jack Nicholson's such a legend that he delivers it perfectly and you don't even notice how cliched it is.
What a great entrance for Jack Nicholson in this film, as Jessup he finishes reading Santiago’s letter, then says, “Who the fuck is PFC William T Santiago?” to Kendrick.
This movie always makes me think about something my grandpa said about Superhero movies. "Men today need to feel special, they want to be great. They fantacize about being super. When I was a kid, everybody had superman comics, but at the end of the day, they wanted to be firemen or police officers. Nowadays we let our young men think too much about being great when all they can be is good, but when people fail at being great, they don't become good, they become failures." (Yes, I took artistic license and made it concise and readable. In real life, it was less of a quote, more of an Andy Roonian raving, but when you wrap it tight and pretty, it looks a little something like that) But yeah... I think we are missing something morally. I feel like morality is all idealistic now and it's not simple like it was. It used to be you were judged for what you do. Now, it seems what you think is far more scrutinized. Go ahead and stiff your waitress, abandon your kids, steal your living... just so long as you don't think nice things about the Orange Guy.
A heavy smoker, J. T. Walsh (Markinson) died of a heart attack in the hospital in La Mesa, California, on February 27, 1998, at the age of 54, after feeling ill and collapsing at the Optimum Health Institute in Lemon Grove.
I wasn't an officer, but I had better leadership skills than Jessup. It seemed that Santiago definitely wanted to be a Marine, so I would have tried to help him to overcome whatever limitations he was experiencing.
Jessop was obsessed with himself. He could barely hold a conversation without mentioning that he faces death on a daily basis. Ultimately it was his downfall.
First the Colonel has a temper tantrum when the idea to transfer Santiago comes up. Then he keeps the Lt in the room while dressing down his XO. Then he whines about his XO questioning his orders in front of the Lt that he ordered to stay in the room. Colonel Jessup is only slight more mentally stable than Captain George "Pappy" Bond at the dive school in Men of Honor.
@@user-zr6pl6nb6z One rank is one rank, specially when they graduated the same year from Annapolis and were class mates. What his point was is that even though we were peers and have known each other since the academy that doesn't give you a pass on questioning my orders in front of a subordinate. In spite of being Annapolis grads neither one of these guys strike me as having any star in their future.
It’s important to remember the important caveat of Nathan being aware of Santiago’s fence line shooting claims, before he made his decision not to transfer him out. Lends some additional perspective from early on of what his true his true intentions were from the beginning.
Jessup’s foundational lie and the one he repeats as nauseam is that they are in ‘the business of saving lives’. Which is of course wholly untrue. They are in fact in the business of taking lives and their path is to defend the constitution, not the people or the land, which are incidental to the constitution. That foundational lie is what makes him such a misguided and abhorrent character.
I wish more people understood this. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who think that Jessup is the hero of the story and quote him like he’s some sort of an example, when he’s actually the opposite.
@@MrPeterReyes Because they are brainwashed and they don't even have a clue of what they're talking about. They don't use their brain and a "fancy" line is good enough to corrupt their already poor minds.
You better believe and breathe in every word and emotion that Jack Nicholson is putting on here. According to Wikipedia he was paid $500K a day for this role, which lasted 10 days, so he must be doing something right.
As much of a jerk Colonel Jesser is, he's right regarding his XO questioning his orders in front of another officer. During the discussion part, that would be one thing, but once the Colonel made up his mind, the XO should've waited until they were alone to request permission to say his piece.
Jessup had already created a very unserious atmosphere about a very serious subject, and wanted the junior officer to remain when Markinson had requested a private initial conversation.
Kendrick wouldn't have been at all hurt if he heard Jesop calling him a "Weasel" as "an awfully good officer" would have probably been the greatest day of his life.
Although the movie hinges on what eventually happens to Santiago...and the consequences of what happened to him.....an officer of Markinson's rank would never, in real life, be so foolish as to question the decision of a superior officer in front of a junior officer...he may seek to discuss it in private....even then that is doubtful, but never would he say "I think that's a mistake Colonel" in front of a junior officer...not if he valued his career and any chances of future promotion.
golden rule of followership: you're allowed to give any input to your superior, but you're only limited to 1 input. any more is insubordination. you give your heads the cards. it's their job to play them how they see fit, not yours
And, probably did his fair share of protecting Jessup over the years. So, he could reach the rank of Colonel. Just to be thanked in this manor. You can see it in Markinson's face, as Jessup leaves the room. "Why am I doing this?"
What I don't understand about this story is why not consider a third option? Early and honorable discharge. Not everybody is physically equipped to be in the military and not all of them can be trained.
I really don't see anything wrong with col. Jessups position 9n the Santiago matter. He saw it as his duty to train up a marine. What Santiago did was an offence.
What was the offense? Blowing the whistle on an illegal shooting? You're supposed to report illegal activity. Writing to his Congressman as a US citizen? Congress isn't part of the chain of command. The Marines are part of the executive branch and Congress is the legislative branch. Falling out on a run? He had a week heart as evidenced by the fact that he died.
Annoying exposition in that speech to Markinson, who would obviously know they went to the Academy together, etc. Gotta make it more subtle and believable. Sorkin is a master, but even masters take shortcuts sometimes.
Apparently you don’t know many marines. Lots of them are egotistical, self righteous and parrot the patriotic bullshit they were fed. Exactly like Col Jessup.
He didn't question Jessup's orders. (Whatever gave you that idea?) Jessup asked him what he thought they should do about Santiago. If there was any impropriety, it was on Jessup's part, in the way he responded to Markinson.
I mean Jessup had the right diagnosis. A substandard Marine potentially puts lives in danger down range. His prescription is awful. Could've easily chaptered the kid out of the Marines. But then again if he did thag we wouldn't have a movie
Why do you say that? Because he went around a dysfunctional chain of command? Because he whistle-blowed an illegal shooting? That's what Marines are supposed to do. If you see something, say something.
@@mikevanroy9356 PFC William Santiago is dead, and that is a tragedy. But he is dead because he had no code. He is dead because he had no honor, and God was watching.
Santiago was unfit and was hospitalized. The reaction of Jesser was just not appropriate and efficient. After all it's a movie. When Soldiers fail tests, they have to leave the army. In rare cases some men die in training. If you join the army you should be prepared but in some cases healthissues can appear and some men die. In this case Santiagos will was strong but running with no food and little to no water is simply not possible. Jesser killed him and therefore Jesser has no honor.
The difference between LT. Colonel and Full Bird Colonel is significant. From Battalion commander to Regimental commander. Plus, it was stated Jessop was about to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General and director of operations for national security forces…..
They are stationed on occupied land of a small poor nation, and he believes the reason for this is security of the US. Same scenario with invading Iraq.
If you thought Jessep was just Evilbadman McVillain in all this, you missed the point of the movie and you are also naive when it comes to military matters. The entire point was... he's not wrong. But he's also not right. The same holds true for the men that carried out the Code Red as well as Santiago himself. The movie has the conclusion that real life would have, sure. After all, you can't have an officer confessing under oath to ordering a beating that killed a man, even if it was because of an undiagnosed medical condition. And "just following orders" has not been a valid defense since the 1940's, in spite of the reality soldiers have to deal with. That doesn't mean that Jessep was wrong. The movie is very careful to not say definitively that he was wrong, just that in such a case, he would be court marshaled. The whole point of the movie is to ask how you reconcile the situation. There are those that would say, "Well, he just shouldn't have done it," but what's the alternative? And the movie answers the obvious ones in this very scene. Those that take this line without an actual solution are just intellectually bankrupt.
I think it was YOU who missed the whole point. WHY can't you "have an officer confessing under oath to ordering a beating that killed a man"??? Being a true leader means that if you make a decision which causes harm, you admit to it and not blame the subordinates you commanded to carry out the order. Yeah, being a leader is tough. That's why they pay colonels more than privates. Jessup hung out to dry the very men who believed that he could be trusted to carry out the "honor, code, loyalty" lines he spewed. But it turns out, they were just empty words. THAT'S what makes him "Evilbadman McVillain."
So basically you're saying that in the Marines you have no choice but to do the wrong thing and hope you aren't punished for it? If so then the real villain in this movie is the Marines themselves.
@@majas4922 A lot of interesting comments here. In 1990, I was 17 and a half, and in my first year of university in my own Australia. I joined the student regiment of our local army reserve, and I struggled with the lack of sleep afforded to us in our initial basic training to the point that I fainted on early morning parade once. The very corporals that seemed to be verbally abusive in training us to react instinctively to orders were just as compassionate in down time later that day in sincerely enquiring as to my well being. As it turned out, I was discharged only a week or so in on account of a 'lazy eye' once the pre-basic training optometrist's report came through - they had allowed me to start basic training with the rest of the throng in the interim. Moral of the story, Jessop was a complete flog, as was Kendrick. Markinson was more of the character of those corporals from my own experience I spoke of i.e., intrinsically decent.
I agree with the General on all but his final point of "It's up to us to train Santiago". Santiago was defectiven, and he was so willing to sell out his country just for a transfer says everything I need to know about him. He is a defective Marine, and needs to be discharged before he infects the entire division.
What General? Who was he selling out the country to? Santiago should have received a transfer to light duty or a medical discharge but he did nothing wrong. He reported an illegal shooting and he wrote his Congressman. Neither of these violate the UCMJ.
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Jack Nicholson does such an excellent job of portraying a narcissist. Every sentence he makes is about how important his job is and how he's saving lives. In his mind, he can do no wrong.
The great thing about having such a noble, selfless mission is that it justifies absolutely anything you might say or do! It's incredibly comfortable and convenient.
He’s a career actor I’m pretty sure the whole narcissist thing came naturally
BUT his job is important. Most of what he says is true. They do have a responsibility to train me in their command. I do see what you are saying, it is self absorbed to a high degree. He is a narcissistic commander, most men in positions of authority are, but he true flaw is not listening to critism and then we he is found out go have made a bad decision he cuts loose, making it look as if he had nothing to do with it.
Colonel Jessup was correct.
@@seanwieland9763 except we later find out his method of training turned out to be criminal and then he lies to get out of it. In this moment, you are right, he is correct
Tom was the best Marine and US military personnel in the movie. He responded swiftly to be called upon, to a direct order without any hesitation and waited until he was dismissed to leave.
I agree, Tom was definitely going to follow his orders and call the president.
@@garypace7697 For some reason I’m equally amused by the absurdity of Jessup’s “order” and impressed by Tom’s straight-laced compliance.
Tom was a pog person other than grunt bad word for support personnel
Tom wasn't or isn't a Marine, he's a Navy lawyer
@@marcrodriguez1146I’m referring to the character Tom portrayed in this clip. Not the actor Tom Cruise.
"..but apparently he's written letters to everybody but Santa Claus.."
This line right in the middle of a serious conversation. Jack Nicholson the genius that he is with delivering his lines.
lol. Yeah but what about the comment that just preceded that statement? " Who the *** is William T. Santiago yeah well apparently he ain't too happy down here in Shangri-la. haha.
@@gregcosta6965 Yea... I mean every single line delivered by that man is music to ears :D
great movie, total liberal fallacy....
Dr. Santa Claus. I would like to request a transfer out of Guantanamo Bay. 😂
I laugh out loud everytime over that line hahaha
Nicholson and Walsh...
Masters of their craft.
You should have seen them in Hoffa
Tom deserved an Oscar for his unflappable delivery of his only line.
Tom returns to his desk, picks up the phone and wonders "wait, did he mean the president of the US or the president of Cuba?"
Probably both… but the Cuban one is a less expensive call and it is his country so yeah I think they should call him first so that he can help them move out
J.T Walsh Always loved that actor for his work.
He was great as Sergeant Major Dickerson in good morning Vietnam. And as crazy guy in sling blade. Awesome actor.
JT Walsh as LTC. Markinson in this movie is a master class performance. His stoic performance in this scene shows that Walsh knew exactly who this character is. he’s an ex intelligence officer badass and his brain is searching through all the possible scenarios as the scene unfolds in front of him. JT Walsh is one of the most underrated actors of our time
Absolutely.
Agreed. R.I.P JT Walsh
Spot on
I've seen the actor a hundred times and didn't know his name. Agreed - he was a great, underrated actor. I feel bad that I had no idea he'd passed on. RIP.
He looks at Jessup sooo evenly. Just that flat, deadly stare that JT Walsh did so well
The guy would have phoned the president saying they are surrendering cuba, had not Jessup stopped him. He didn't even stop to raise his eyebrows. Such a brilliant scene to showcase the total control which Jessup had on his unit.
It just shows that some soldiers have 0 brain cells
That’s the military (I’m a Marine too). When a full bird Colonel tells you to do something (regardless) you do it.
@@T1000skynetforever yup and in this case,which of course is just a movie,a man died in that unit,just like the ones left in afghanistan smh r.i.p
I run my unit how I run my unit. This is the essence.
Sadly this was one of The last performances of J.T. Walsh, an excellent Supporting actor. R.I.P.
I believe Executive Decision was his last movie.
@@allAmerican316 NO. His Last Movie Was "BREAKDOWN" 1997.
Hardly.
He had another forty roles after this film.
@@The7legacy Wasn't the Negotiator, the last movie of his?
@@multisat Correct. Negotiator. He was WAY too heavy and didn't look well.
I love this guy. Sarcastic at it's best
He's no sarcastic, he is a psychopath...like lots of people in a higher position.
Unfortunately and unlike Jessup, they make thru, undisturbed most of the time.
This scene is the key to the entire movie.
The arrogant Jessup refuses to acknowledge what’s obvious: that Santiago just isn’t up to standard and needs to be moved on. Jessup is a bully and can only think like a bully. But no amount of bullying will turn Santiago into a quality marine.
In the end Jessup causes his own downfall with this pig-headed thinking. Had he listened to Markerson he would not have lost everything.
Yes Jessup is awful. It kind of reminds me of the stories of General Patton slapping a soldier.
I think Markinson should have recommended that Santiago be physically reevaluated, and if need be, separated from the USMC instead of suggesting to ship him to another unit. The evidence for asking the Navy to reevaluate Santiago would be the fact that (it's implied) Santiago gets a lot of immediate punitive "training" when he falls out, which is often. It seems unlikely he would keep faking or malingering in those circumstances, only to be diagnosed with heatstroke over and over, then sent back out again.. The Marine officers should've requested a thorough physical exam before doing anything else.
@@SDChargersFreak interesting point. But remember too: Santiago had also been ostracised by the other marines, and this was before they had found out about the letter he had written. As Markinson said, the other marines were going to seriously harm Santiago once the news of the letter came out. The correct thing to do was to get Santiago off the base immediately and then eventually out of the Marine Corps.
Keeping Santiago on the base was absolutely the wrong thing to do.
@@SDChargersFreakdidn't the Dr. Testify that he gives every marine a complete and thorough physical?
@@LBF522
Lol!! You’ve gotta be shitting me! You are comparing the great _BASED_ General Patton to what Jessup did in this movie??! 🤦♀️
I get the feeling that Nathan perceived Matthew as more of a nuisance, if not a threat rather than a friend, in spite of the hardships they endured together. Which is why he keeps him on a much tighter leash than Kendrick by using the excuse that they are "saving lives", added to the fact that he doesn't truly value the opinions of his executive officer at all. All Jessup expects from him and the entire garrison is unquestionable loyalty, whilst he uses the privilege of his rank and command to belittle his surbordinates. Markinson strikes me as a compassionate, stern and level headed officer, therefore more competent in my opinion. As opposed to Jessup, who is deeply mired in his own arrogance.
thats why jessup ended up in levinworth.
@@pethrosuriahson6156 All due to his and Kendrick's shared approach of "make the punishment fit the crime". Which was what happened to Curtis Bell. Though based on the fact that he was physically alive unlike Santiago, surely he would've been able to testify against Jessup and Kendrick? However after his extra judicial punishment at the hands of Lieutenant Kendrick, I'm assuming that all Private Bell could do was simply suffer in silence and do as he was told.
The most flagrant thing any veteran will alert to is is disrespect of his XO. As he's reprimanding a JO he interrupts him. And calls him by his first name in front of a JO again and again.
..... And yet, characters just like Jessup are exactly the type who end up going up thru th ranks th fastest.. This is true for ski resort management, it's true (much of the time) for public school administration, it's true with hospital RNs, and i would VENTUREto say it could well be true with th Marine Corp as well (of course I can be wrong).
If i do turn out to be spot on th money, on this assertion, then it would certainly explain why th Marine Corp is saddled, perennially, by th same stigmas and stereotypes it seeks to dismiss.....
And that is a real shame, considering the hopes, efforts, dreams and everyday sacrifices that fuel its members to do th incredible things they do for us.
CANT belive he also made Dr BUDDY ON ANGER MANAGMENT HAHAHAHAHAH HE IS ONE OF THE GOATS
I've come to the conclusion that the real villain in this movie is Gitmo's doctor. That guy put the life of a young soldier in danger and made him meet a tragic death just because he was superficial in his job and didn't want to admit he made a mistake.
No because he was coerced by colonel jessup to do it
While I don't entirely disagree with you, Lt. Kendrick is also majorly responsible. Col. Jessup himself remarks that Kendrick is "a weasel!" Meaning that he is a lot like Jessop...touting his own rules, putting his own standards above regulations based on his own arrogant need to control others. A narcissistic personality which is why Jessop quickly recognizes a younger version of himself in Kendrick
Well, you have come to the wrong conclusion. Jessup is guilty, in every possible way somebody could be guilty. He has no excuse for what he have done. He scared and tried to corrupt everyone in that base. That is called abuse of power. He represents the perfect brainwashed soldier with a gigantic ego, and no brain at all, and he had what he deserved at the end of the movie. Of course the doctor and Kendrick are guilty too.
Whoever tried to defend Jessup point, not only he is wrong, but he's totally brainwashed too, and dangerous for the whole human kind.
This is just a movie, luckily...but I'm afraid that reality can be worse sometimes.
@@DD-bq9mr I never said that Jessup is innocent, but if he had the real results on Santiago's death maybe his decisions would have been different. But if a doctor tells you that a soldier is just having a sunstroke while he has serious heart problems, the doctor is the most responsable for the soldier's death.
@@ChristiHermann how? He wrote the prognosis on his own.
Markinson: "I think Santiago should be transferred off the base immediately."
Jessup: "Ok"
*---- End Credits -----*
pretty boring movie
LOL!
You don't know that Santiago didn't write a letter to Santa Claus. He might have.
Jessup: No I will retire then bye! Credits...
SPOILER alert: PFC William T. Santiago has an undetected heart disease and never should've been exposed to this kind of physical strain. The marine base's hospital and especially their head doctor messed up big time by not diagnosing the man properly and just putting down some quick bs like "heat exhaustion." Based on what Kaffee finds out later on in the novel/film, Santiago probably should've been discharged the moment he first tried to join the army. 🤔 Last time I checked, the US marine chord was not allowed nor interested in recruiting cadets with major organic heart defects. And it's irresponsible enough that the unit's medical team never figured out that crucial point. But to make matters worse, none of his superior officers, including Jessup, ever even considered asking the medical professionals about it again.
It's the Marines. Not the Army. And it's the Marine Corps. Not the Marine chord.
The real Marine that this case is based on was never murdered either. The character in the movie was killed for dramatic flair.
When I was in basic for the infantry our reception unit had a guy in it with scoliosis.
Now, I don't mean he had some fairly undetectable lump in his spine that certain exercises brought out...no, I mean this guy could have been the Riddlers main henchman with the glaring question mark his spine was shaped into. He couldn't bend down to put on his pt shoes or look up far enough to even see the pull up bars much less use them.
Military doesn't care when it's hunting for numbers.
Heart defects in young people are often difficult to detect. Think of the student athletes who keel over on the field unexpectedly, only afterwards being discovered to have an undiagnosed heart condition. The lucky ones survive this discovery, but it doesn't always go that way. In this case the fatal episode happened to occur during a disciplinary exercise in a Marine Corps barrack instead of on a playing field.
These days the military is filled with mental and physical deficients
he is on the screen. I'm watching it. and I'm scared of him when he said "don't ever question my orders in front of another officer". Nicholson was GOOD!
This military movies……..great movie no doubt. In REAL life, there would’ve been a Command Sergeant Major all over this. Along with the 1SG and other NCO’s.
Exactly. NCOs would never let their officers handle this. They work for a living. Hooah! 🫡
Fr, a Sgt Major doing his job would probably have made sure a CO like Nicholson here never even learned of this incident.
@KingKhanate1997 we all know Sgt Majors have teleporting and psychic powers. My Sgt Major would have known about the situation instantly and been there within 20 minutes. Lol
This is why the marines is the few and the proud. Not everybody is cut out to be a marine.
All I can say for those who are not cut out for the USMC is that they tried their best, and that's the greatest thing.
the whole conversation between Jessup and Markinson was a conversation between friends up until Jessup addressed Markinson by his name and rank. Then it became business and Jessup had to remind him who the top dog was
Are you kidding? The whole conversation was Jessop being a total jerk for the sake of it. Power and authority had absolutely gone to his head.
Top dog or not, he was embarking on a problematic, potentially illegal path, and Parkinson tried to stop him the best he could at his rank.
Kinda like how Kreese lorded over Silver as if they were still in Vietnam in Cobra Kai. No wonder Silver plotted to get rid of him!
@@imcallingjapan2178 Yes, Jessup was being a jerk. But once the boss has made his decision you don't question him in front of others. If you have something to say, you say it in private.
And when it went bad, you cut these guys loose.
Nicholson was the perfect actor for the Jessup character. I can't think of any other actor from that period that could have done it better. Perhaps Kelsey Grammer?
Dustin Hoffman.
Funny that you mention Kelsey as he was in a military television movie as an officer similar to Jessup but a general. It’s called The Pentagon Wars.
@@itsbmeGaming I had no idea. Thanks
@@bottlebrush You're welcome. I actually saw a full upload of it on here recently. If you search you'll find it. Pretty entertaining movie.
Kelsey doesn't have the mean demeanor that Nicholson has though
In both military and police service, members of both services get into more trouble trying to cover up a goof than to own up to what happened. Processing transfer orders for a service member that is already dead, forging tower logs and lying on the stand are offenses that can result time at Fort Leavenworth disciplinary barracks. All Jessip and Kendricks had to do is admit the code red was ordered but was not meant to kill or seriously injure anyone.
But that would have meant bye-bye to Jessup's big promotion ....
Beats time in Leavenworth.
@@HENSLEYMB Yeah but sometimes people just don't even consider the possibility of being caught/found out.
You can really see how scared Kendrick is of Jessup, his breathing when the colonel approaches him about training Santiago and threatening to kill him if Santiago fails for example
Jack Nicholson did a great job on this scene, 💯💯💯💯
He Should Had Won The Oscar Even Though It Was a Small Screen Time For His Role!
@@vinceniederman for sure
@@vinceniederman He definitely played that part well💯💯💯
@@quintonwilliams718Indeed and Rob Reiner Did a Great Job on The Direction of The Film!
@@quintonwilliams718Jack is a Great Actor!
Sutherland was brilliant in this movie
The character by JN was a complete peasant, the “perfect” soldier, ignorant, blind and perfectly obedient without capacity for discernment.
I think the most defining scene is here when Jessup orders the telephone guy to call the President with this seemingly trivial matter. And the operator doesn't miss a beat. He follows orders. Unhesitatingly. Like a robot
No remembers Tom but his obedience is memorable
It's funny how that cliched exposition line of "How long we known each other, Bill? 10 years?" is pretty awful on Sorkin's part and probably knew better, but Jack Nicholson's such a legend that he delivers it perfectly and you don't even notice how cliched it is.
The sad part is seeing Santiago eating alone. 0:37
Santiago - subpar. Tom - perfect.
What a great entrance for Jack Nicholson in this film, as Jessup he finishes reading Santiago’s letter, then says, “Who the fuck is PFC William T Santiago?” to Kendrick.
This movie always makes me think about something my grandpa said about Superhero movies.
"Men today need to feel special, they want to be great. They fantacize about being super. When I was a kid, everybody had superman comics, but at the end of the day, they wanted to be firemen or police officers. Nowadays we let our young men think too much about being great when all they can be is good, but when people fail at being great, they don't become good, they become failures."
(Yes, I took artistic license and made it concise and readable. In real life, it was less of a quote, more of an Andy Roonian raving, but when you wrap it tight and pretty, it looks a little something like that)
But yeah... I think we are missing something morally. I feel like morality is all idealistic now and it's not simple like it was. It used to be you were judged for what you do. Now, it seems what you think is far more scrutinized. Go ahead and stiff your waitress, abandon your kids, steal your living... just so long as you don't think nice things about the Orange Guy.
Here here
Morality has not been simple for a long long time
I wondered how Santiago made it through Marine boot camp.
Probably got told to tough out his heart condition.
Tom is the Perfect Soldier
Agreeing to carry out implausible/impossible orders is not perfect soldiering.....
@@HeartistMurali you seem fun
Marine*
Colonel Jessup dramatically exited his own office...
A heavy smoker, J. T. Walsh (Markinson) died of a heart attack in the hospital in La Mesa, California, on February 27, 1998, at the age of 54, after feeling ill and collapsing at the Optimum Health Institute in Lemon Grove.
Col Jessup should have never dressed down his XO in front of Junior Officer! He was terrible CO!
I wasn't an officer, but I had better leadership skills than Jessup. It seemed that Santiago definitely wanted to be a Marine, so I would have tried to help him to overcome whatever limitations he was experiencing.
He runs his unit how he runs his unit.
It was just to show his character.
Jessop was obsessed with himself. He could barely hold a conversation without mentioning that he faces death on a daily basis. Ultimately it was his downfall.
His downfall was depending on a Lt.
First the Colonel has a temper tantrum when the idea to transfer Santiago comes up. Then he keeps the Lt in the room while dressing down his XO. Then he whines about his XO questioning his orders in front of the Lt that he ordered to stay in the room. Colonel Jessup is only slight more mentally stable than Captain George "Pappy" Bond at the dive school in Men of Honor.
He had some nerve telling Markinson that he'd been promoted faster. He's only one rank above Markinson.
@@user-zr6pl6nb6z yea that always stuck with me watching this movie. Dude you're one rank above, not like Markinson is a captain.
Are you ok ?
@@user-zr6pl6nb6z One rank is one rank, specially when they graduated the same year from Annapolis and were class mates. What his point was is that even though we were peers and have known each other since the academy that doesn't give you a pass on questioning my orders in front of a subordinate. In spite of being Annapolis grads neither one of these guys strike me as having any star in their future.
@@stuglenn1112 Well no. To have a star in their future today would require them to be "woke".
It’s important to remember the important caveat of Nathan being aware of Santiago’s fence line shooting claims, before he made his decision not to transfer him out.
Lends some additional perspective from early on of what his true his true intentions were from the beginning.
Spiff-balling lol
I'm waiting for a moment to use that line 😉😀
Jessup’s foundational lie and the one he repeats as nauseam is that they are in ‘the business of saving lives’. Which is of course wholly untrue. They are in fact in the business of taking lives and their path is to defend the constitution, not the people or the land, which are incidental to the constitution. That foundational lie is what makes him such a misguided and abhorrent character.
I wish more people understood this. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who think that Jessup is the hero of the story and quote him like he’s some sort of an example, when he’s actually the opposite.
@@MrPeterReyes Because they are brainwashed and they don't even have a clue of what they're talking about. They don't use their brain and a "fancy" line is good enough to corrupt their already poor minds.
You better believe and breathe in every word and emotion that Jack Nicholson is putting on here. According to Wikipedia he was paid $500K a day for this role, which lasted 10 days, so he must be doing something right.
As much of a jerk Colonel Jesser is, he's right regarding his XO questioning his orders in front of another officer. During the discussion part, that would be one thing, but once the Colonel made up his mind, the XO should've waited until they were alone to request permission to say his piece.
Jessup sided with Kendrick and talked down to Markinson before though
Jessup had already created a very unserious atmosphere about a very serious subject, and wanted the junior officer to remain when Markinson had requested a private initial conversation.
It's the movies, folks. NOT a real GITMO unit.
Get the president on the phone, we're surrendering our position in Cuba 🤣🤣🤣
Can you imagine Bush Sr. getting that call...? "Um, wouldn't be prudent. Bar!"
@@AmIsraelChai4Trump 😂 Not gunna do it…
@@AmIsraelChai4Trump"Damn. I had plans for Cuba."
Kendrick wouldn't have been at all hurt if he heard Jesop calling him a "Weasel" as "an awfully good officer" would have probably been the greatest day of his life.
Although the movie hinges on what eventually happens to Santiago...and the consequences of what happened to him.....an officer of Markinson's rank would never, in real life, be so foolish as to question the decision of a superior officer in front of a junior officer...he may seek to discuss it in private....even then that is doubtful, but never would he say "I think that's a mistake Colonel" in front of a junior officer...not if he valued his career and any chances of future promotion.
He never should have been allowed in from the jump. Trying to fill a quota backfired.
Remember this was made shortly after Desert Storm. They had no problem meeting quotas.
When the music started playing you know the convo was getting serious lol. Jack Nicholson had that you messed up kernal Markinson.
Markinson attempted to not question the Col's orders from the get go....he was denied. I know, it's a movie...why am I even typing this.
1:00 Seriously thought that’s Michael Keaton. He played Batman while Nicholson played the Joker
golden rule of followership: you're allowed to give any input to your superior, but you're only limited to 1 input. any more is insubordination. you give your heads the cards. it's their job to play them how they see fit, not yours
Tom went on to become President of Cal tech
carl heard my question
linders macaw ill mention
tim brechts known tension
I pity the poor Tom, he probably has seen some shit while serving under Jessep.
And, probably did his fair share of protecting Jessup over the years. So, he could reach the rank of Colonel. Just to be thanked in this manor. You can see it in Markinson's face, as Jessup leaves the room. "Why am I doing this?"
0:55
What I don't understand about this story is why not consider a third option? Early and honorable discharge. Not everybody is physically equipped to be in the military and not all of them can be trained.
I really don't see anything wrong with col. Jessups position 9n the Santiago matter. He saw it as his duty to train up a marine. What Santiago did was an offence.
What was the offense? Blowing the whistle on an illegal shooting? You're supposed to report illegal activity. Writing to his Congressman as a US citizen? Congress isn't part of the chain of command. The Marines are part of the executive branch and Congress is the legislative branch. Falling out on a run? He had a week heart as evidenced by the fact that he died.
Annoying exposition in that speech to Markinson, who would obviously know they went to the Academy together, etc. Gotta make it more subtle and believable. Sorkin is a master, but even masters take shortcuts sometimes.
Nickolson is Alpha
Jack is a Great actor BUT in this movie he was the Ultimate Marine and the worst actor pretending to be a Marine.
Apparently you don’t know many marines. Lots of them are egotistical, self righteous and parrot the patriotic bullshit they were fed. Exactly like Col Jessup.
Tom's used to the bullshit.
Some day Tom actually will call the President.
I was in the army and I can tell you, nobody goes by their first names. Colonel Jessip calling Tom tom would t happen.
Look
Worse was that Markinson questioned Jessup's orders in front of not just another officer, but a junior officer.
He didn't question Jessup's orders. (Whatever gave you that idea?)
Jessup asked him what he thought they should do about Santiago. If there was any impropriety, it was on Jessup's part, in the way he responded to Markinson.
@@Astrobrant2 when Markinson stood up and checked Jessup just before Kendrick was dismissed.
Sarjent carter involved here somewhere 🤔🤔🤔
ronald trumans line
jokes for scott yard machines tine
rodney strongs red wine
So Santiago was wonder rat them out dot dot what does he expect?
Peggy sue, Santiago goes back.
It's hilarious when the military talks about saving lives.
I mean
Jessup had the right diagnosis. A substandard Marine potentially puts lives in danger down range.
His prescription is awful. Could've easily chaptered the kid out of the Marines.
But then again if he did thag we wouldn't have a movie
Yes sir to a Marine General? It's Ay General.
Santiago had no honor
Why do you say that? Because he went around a dysfunctional chain of command? Because he whistle-blowed an illegal shooting? That's what Marines are supposed to do. If you see something, say something.
@@mikevanroy9356 PFC William Santiago is dead, and that is a tragedy. But he is dead because he had no code. He is dead because he had no honor, and God was watching.
@@845835 he was being assaulted by his “comrades”. If you attack someone you don’t deserve their loyalty. They betrayed him. And murdered him.
Santiago was unfit and was hospitalized. The reaction of Jesser was just not appropriate and efficient. After all it's a movie. When Soldiers fail tests, they have to leave the army. In rare cases some men die in training. If you join the army you should be prepared but in some cases healthissues can appear and some men die. In this case Santiagos will was strong but running with no food and little to no water is simply not possible. Jesser killed him and therefore Jesser has no honor.
🎗📝
Sounds like Santiago is describing and undiagnosed Hypertrophic Cardio Myopathy.
Rose higher and quicker in the chain of command? What, by one rank? GTHOH.
The difference between LT. Colonel and Full Bird Colonel is significant. From Battalion commander to Regimental commander. Plus, it was stated Jessop was about to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General and director of operations for national security forces…..
Mi
Is Tom…. William t Santiago lol
Good way of saving money given how much they would have already paid out to the main actors ....
Michael DeLorenzo had a small role
Your obviously a civilian
They are stationed on occupied land of a small poor nation, and he believes the reason for this is security of the US. Same scenario with invading Iraq.
johnathons wits end
perpetual care fat rend
sharon rounds the bend
Markinson should not have killed himself. He would have gotten Jessup's job afterwards.
Col Jessup was the true hero of this movie
Yigh.
neil smiths late sleepers
scott murrays brothers weepers
steves ponds spring peepers
growlers handle
elishas moms lit candle
francois walk sandal
If you thought Jessep was just Evilbadman McVillain in all this, you missed the point of the movie and you are also naive when it comes to military matters.
The entire point was... he's not wrong. But he's also not right. The same holds true for the men that carried out the Code Red as well as Santiago himself. The movie has the conclusion that real life would have, sure. After all, you can't have an officer confessing under oath to ordering a beating that killed a man, even if it was because of an undiagnosed medical condition. And "just following orders" has not been a valid defense since the 1940's, in spite of the reality soldiers have to deal with.
That doesn't mean that Jessep was wrong. The movie is very careful to not say definitively that he was wrong, just that in such a case, he would be court marshaled. The whole point of the movie is to ask how you reconcile the situation. There are those that would say, "Well, he just shouldn't have done it," but what's the alternative? And the movie answers the obvious ones in this very scene. Those that take this line without an actual solution are just intellectually bankrupt.
I think it was YOU who missed the whole point. WHY can't you "have an officer confessing under oath to ordering a beating that killed a man"??? Being a true leader means that if you make a decision which causes harm, you admit to it and not blame the subordinates you commanded to carry out the order. Yeah, being a leader is tough. That's why they pay colonels more than privates. Jessup hung out to dry the very men who believed that he could be trusted to carry out the "honor, code, loyalty" lines he spewed. But it turns out, they were just empty words. THAT'S what makes him "Evilbadman McVillain."
Jesus Christ 🙄
So basically you're saying that in the Marines you have no choice but to do the wrong thing and hope you aren't punished for it?
If so then the real villain in this movie is the Marines themselves.
He was guilty in a court. Not only.did he order Code Red, he calmly threw the two Marines under the bus.
@@majas4922 A lot of interesting comments here. In 1990, I was 17 and a half, and in my first year of university in my own Australia. I joined the student regiment of our local army reserve, and I struggled with the lack of sleep afforded to us in our initial basic training to the point that I fainted on early morning parade once. The very corporals that seemed to be verbally abusive in training us to react instinctively to orders were just as compassionate in down time later that day in sincerely enquiring as to my well being. As it turned out, I was discharged only a week or so in on account of a 'lazy eye' once the pre-basic training optometrist's report came through - they had allowed me to start basic training with the rest of the throng in the interim. Moral of the story, Jessop was a complete flog, as was Kendrick. Markinson was more of the character of those corporals from my own experience I spoke of i.e., intrinsically decent.
tarentino strong
steven welchs stool ping pong
goats lung beach king kong
I just realized i m in a similar situation only diff. i dont wear a uniform, but in the same business of saving lives
🫡🫡
neil smiths cuban seed
werner richardsons dog breed
ronnie olsens reed
I agree with the General on all but his final point of "It's up to us to train Santiago". Santiago was defectiven, and he was so willing to sell out his country just for a transfer says everything I need to know about him. He is a defective Marine, and needs to be discharged before he infects the entire division.
Modern military is filled with these types
What General? Who was he selling out the country to?
Santiago should have received a transfer to light duty or a medical discharge but he did nothing wrong. He reported an illegal shooting and he wrote his Congressman. Neither of these violate the UCMJ.
We need Colonel Joseph to train the new Woke Army.
HE WOULD BE KICKED OUT IN A HEART BEAT!!
wait do... do you think jessup is the good guy
Jessup* and yes we do...He wouldn't be allowed today.
@@funkndonut yes, in a weird way he makes those around him stronger
@@kennethhill613 he wasn't allowed them either. did you miss the part where he was arrested