A Few Good Men: Jessup Threatens Kendrick (Jack Nicholson Scene) 

Tom ready to follow that order with no questions asked was one of the funnier parts of this movie.

Over the years, I've heard a lot of people praising Jessup as a tough and efficient commander. Having served 24 years on active duty, I can tell you that he is the opposite of what you want in a commanding officer.

I like to think that Tom is so used Jessup's tirades that he's heard every ridiculous order imaginable. And as a result is no longer surprised no matter what he's told xD

Jack is one of the best , he nailed this role . He owns the room , his pacing, his tone , the sarcastic comments . The emotions and facial expressions are at another level. What a great movie , ive scene it so many times !

A Lt. speaking up like that in a conversation between a LtCol. and a full bird and then interrupting one of them is insane.

I'm a us Marine. A Lt would NEVER speak to a Lt Col Like that. Never

There's no one like Jack Nicholson A true legend artist

Gives "People follow orders or people die" a whole new meaning

Tom handled that so professionally you would think Jessup plays that cute stunt every chance he gets to make one point or another.

"maybe.... and i'm just spitballing here..." as a baseball umpire, i have used that line many times in trying to explain/resolve a call/ruling to an irate coach who doesn't seem to respond to basic information and logic. classic stuff. thank you.

That last bit at the "then I'm going to blame you and I'm going to kill you" had me cracking up so hard!

Jack Nicholson would have been really scary if had become a military officer instead of going into an acting career.

I have to say the acting and script in this scene was absolutely fantastic from all participants.

This film came out in 1992. The train of thought was different than what it is now. In the 1980s and 1990s, there were still senior officers and NCOs that served in Vietnam, Grenada, Dessert Storm and Panama. I honestly believe that the movie was meant to send a message that there are more humane ways in handling personnel issues other than hazing or harassment of weaker or vulnerable subjects. The marine could have been detailed to work in the supply room pending medical discharge. I know this is just a movie, but situations as portrayed in the were possible during the 80s and 90s. I served in the regular army in the late 70s and spent 3 years in West Germany in a field artillery unit. Among the rank and file, barracks rats, shirkers and drug and alcohol abusers were revered and the more erudite and professional minded young soldiers were the butt end of the jokes. The leadership were more interested in their own careers and just turning the clock to retirement.

Willie Santiago should have been in Tom's job. Few physical demands, less interaction with others of similarly low rank (not eating in the grunt mess), and Willie had excellent handwriting. Being the Colonel's administrative assistant would have been perfect. Tom and Willie even look similar.

Tom's a good man and a fine soldier.

"Written to everyone except santa clause." Lol.

When my husband was at Camp Lejeune in the early '70's, he, along with tens of thousands of other Marines there, drank toxic water from wells the base commanders for 18 yrs, knew were poisoned. But they kept quiet about it for the sake of their careers. Talk about not caring for the lives of your men! He developed throat cancer in 2019, but thank God, he survived. Marines are tough & he has a love/hate relationship with the Corps over it all, as he's proud that he served, but hates the Dept. of the Navy for betraying them. He says ten times more Marines have died from drinking that water, than died in WW1 & WW2.

Jessup's hard biting sarcasm was a major part of military life.

Can you imagine the rumors going around after hearing Tom telling stories about almost surrendering Cuba in the chow hall?

God level of sarcasm and facetiousness🤣

Jack is one of the greatest actors of all times!

I’m a navy guy and we’re a softer breed, but if he’s having issues like that he’s a liability either way and needs to be either reassigned or discharged. Guys under three years were chucked all the time when I was in - mostly for psychological issues. Not everyone should be carrying a gun 🤷‍♂️

Arguably Jack Nicholsons absolute best performance.

Markinson: "I think Santiago should be transferred off the base." Jessup: "okay" *[The End]*

Everyone played his/her part so wonderfully. Great film.

The way Jack Nicholson immerses into the role is incredible.. he makes you believe he's born with that character

Funny that Jessup didn't enforce the extreme training on Santiago but allowed a CODE RED.

In the end, as it turns out, Col. Jessup threw LTC. Markinson, Lt. Kendrick , Downey, and Dawnson under the bus. Jessup figured he effed up, and tried to ave him self. An officer who places his or her security, life, safety above the uit, or worse sacrifices them for his or her sake, is a danger to mission, the unit, Service, and Nation. He or she must be removed from all responcibility and dismissed from service. A person like that is capable of treachery, treason, and criminal behavior.

Love when Jessup makes brief mention of his boss.. but quickly dismisses his orders.......a law onto himself!!

Saw this in the theater when it came out, so glad I grew up watching some of the best actors of all time like Nicholson.

Tom has absolutely no problem calling the president of the US on the phone 😂

Jack Nicholson is such a great actor. One from the old guard, that should be regarded as a model professional to any aspiring young actor out there.

Alternate Title: Joker Threatens Jack Bauer.

Jack Nicholson gave us decades of great screen performances. This is just one example that I don't think he got enough credit for.

It was kind of funny that JT Walsh wasn’t the biggest scumbag in this film!

Problems with your unit? Problems like pain, pressure and drill sergeants yelling at you? That’s what makes a man stronger, that’s what you signed up for!

Apparently, Jessup never heard of "outliers"... there will always be with certainty a minority group of people that will never meet a specific standard

It would've been funny if Tom yelled through the door, "Can't hear you! Surrendering!"

I've often wondered if the "and then I'm going to kill you" remark was an adlib by Nicholson. In that moment, that was such a brilliant, nerve rattling, matter of fact and yet hilarious remark for any detached on-looker to hear, it just couldn't have been scripted.

“We’re surrendering Cuba” “Yes sir” “Uhhh you not surprised?”

I thought Matheson's decision to commit suicide was as cowardly as it gets, compounding his initial failure by infinite degrees instead of seizing the opportunity to redeem himself by testifying.

Nicholson, the king of sarcasm.

Tom Cruise and Kiefer Sutherland before Ethan Hunt and Jack Bauer.

The older you get, the more you realize people like the colonel mess up everything in life -- and are often in charge, sadly. They have just enough intelligence to perceive a situation but not enough to see the actual correct solution because their past successes make them think they don't need the input of others. So their self-confidence, which is not completely without justification, ironically, winds up undermining everyone around them.

Jack is the Best for a reason! This is just minute of his excellence!

Classic scene, Jack Nicholas never disappoint

This General is one of the best 😂 And this movie is one of my favorite ❤

I'm sure Colonel Jessup would have some colorful things to say about today's "awokened" military.

They should have an alternate scene where Tom got ahold of the President like he’s on speed dial. Why? “Because it probably would’ve saved lives!”

0:30 perfectly timed logo whoosh sound effect XD

This is where Jack Bauer honed his skills

I was back from the Gulf War when this movie released. I became a master of all things "leadership" observing all aspects in real time. The USMC was aware of the developing film. The MOMENT Col Jessup's tone was heard, I could feel ice cold tension run up my back as all my neck hair stood straight up. I had transferred into the reserve and started my college "career". I gave a speaking class on leadership in that tone. The civilian kids got instantly scared. The liberal professor instantly realized I was the total master of my audience without vulgarity or high volume.

“…Because he’s written letters to everyone but Santa Claus asking for a transfer”

I retired after 20 years with no issues. However, I did see in my Military career some men who just couldn't "cut the mustard" when it came to physical endurance. Myself and my fellow non-coms were pricks to them. I wonder how many had unknown medical conditions. I retired in 1996, that thought comes to mind now and then.

Up to this point, the colonel can be justified in his actions. Transferring your problem doesn't end it, it just means someone else now has to deal with it. It is from here that he goes wrong.

I love Jack but one of the military consultants should have mentioned to him that putting your hands in your pockets is strictly taboo in The Corps.

The whole movie is a masterpiece

Amazing! Who would have guessed that Tom would become the President of a prestigious university later in life.

⚠️ 2:41 Don’t doubt for 1 sec - Tom was absolutely calling the White House to announce their surrender 🫡

Just noticed it’s Will Bailey. Would have thought his Dad being Supreme Allied Commander he’d get a better job than being Jessop’s Secretary.

JT Walsh is criminally underrated as an actor! RIP and one of my favs

You do not charge enlisted personnel with Conduct unbecoming, that is for officers. As one Former JAG officer put it, most enlisted are teen agers who are expected to do stupid things, it is the officers who are expected to behave themselves.

Jack nicholson played an outstanding part in this movie

By God, Jack Nicholson will FOREVER by the *GOAT* !! He completely dominates every scene he’s in!

People don’t lay enough blame on the doctor. Everyone in this scene is looking at Santiago as a healthy Marine and not one with a malady that should have disqualified him from serving in the military.

Got Joker vibes when he stood up behind the desk

I swear to god Nicholson doesnt act, he just plays himself in every movie, which is scary as hell!

I love the fact that Tom was indeed going to call the President.

Jessup: "Tom, go get me a Ford Chevy, two pepperoni pizzas, a genuine piece of Jesus Christ's cross, Demi Moore, the souls of three innocent children and the head of Santa Claus." Tom: "Yes sir."

Well, after all is said and done... Santiago did indeed NOT make his fitness report numbers.

I can not help but notice how much cinema changed over time….the movies we get to see today unfortunately are a million years away, only cartoon characters in tight suits with capes…Sad. Movies like this one or like Scent of a woman are becoming a thing of the past…

As far as the character Colonel Jessup, he could have done whatever he felt he needed to do, to defend the country, without doing what he did. He could have had the private sent home, discharged from the military, or sent to a position that was not in an area that had any risk of being at risk. But people clothe their meanness in ideology. They are not actually what they talk about, but that is a convenience that can be articulated to back up their mean awareness.

Jessup is the true hero of that movie

The writers of this film, while liberal and infantile, are also brilliant. The irony of Jessup keeping Santiago on base, only to have him murdered and ending his own career is epic.

Kiefer is so Kieferlicious ♡♡♡

The thing is if a Marine becomes a heat casualty twice they are medically discharged

Jack killed this role

That fence line might be Camp Pendleton

Dude threatens Jack Bauer like it’s nothing

I was waiting for a DDT to go down at any moment during this movie.

"Colonel. Why the 2 orders? If you ordered Santiago not to be touched and your orders are always followed then why the transfer?" "Marines follow orders or men die! Those two Marines didnt follow my orders and a man died!" Movie Ends. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

Colonels don't put their hands in their pockets like that. Even the lowest enlisted man knows that's a no-no.

When I was in the MARINES I was on trial ( article 15 ) I told my side of the story. I thought I sounded pretty good. The judge was the commanding officer. His response to me was “I have every intention of jumping over this desk and F ing u up.”

As a Leader, you're supposed to take care of your men. Prepare to be held accountable. And above all - Do no HARM!

To be fair he's got a point insisting on the inaproval of the relocation of this Pvt. Exactly as he said it you remove one lets remove the whole damm division

Most normal jarhead conversation

that moment you realize that Joshua Malina was in this movie, before he did The West Wing.....lol

One of the great movie scenes of all time

Who knew Will baily served in a combat unit!

Private Santiago was a substandard marine.

Despite the threat at the end of the monologue, he was correct. It's an Officers job to train their Soldiers (Marines). If Santiago was got given the proper mentorship, counsel, and guidance he wouldn't have been given a fair shot. It appears the chain of command was broken and the opportunity for meaningful mentorship was never provided.

Great flick-but a senior officer with his hands in his trousers-absoulty UNACCEPTABLE !

Nicholson, is one of the best ever. JT Walsh RIP another great actor

Great actor! Jack made this movie!

_They want you to follow the chain of command because they control that chain._

You can’t handle the truth! Oops sorry wrong scene.

Jessup: And John, remember, you are my number one guy.

I would love to hear Col. Jessop's opinion on Diversity Equity Inclusion policy in the US armed forces.

As someone that spent hours getting Class A's absolutely immaculate and in spec along with getting BDU's perfect while in garrison the colonel's eagles are driving me insane. I still get nervous seeing someone in uniform on camera casually putting their hands in their pockets.