So Nichelson gave the same performance over and over so they could film it from various angles. Every time at full intensity. The entire crew was pretty amazed.
Nicholson may have been known as a wild man in his personal life, but everyone that worked with him mentioned his consummate professionalism and how he was always fully prepared on set. I really miss his work but I get why he retired.
The other actors have spoken about it the Rich Eisen show. If you can only watch one, Watch Kevin Pollack. He’s connected to Jack doing that scene over and over.
@@anastasiabeaverhausen516 and apparently to Kevin pollak for impersonating Nicholson and doing the scene when they had to take a few more shots after Nicholson had left.
I love the line, "...I have neither the time or the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises & sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, & then questions the manner in which I provide it..."
Is it a cool line? Sure, but anyone who think there was anything to admire about it should start by reading the constitution, then take a crash course in civics.
@@stanleymyrick4068 I'm surprised anyone conceded to that, because what he is literally saying is that he should be above accountability for his actions. He is the prime example of people you don't want in positions of power.
@@TheSaltyAdmiral I think you have a point, but he also had a point else you get a Rachel Levine and the military more concerned about DEI, bathrooms, and social issues. You need someone that isn't going thru paperwork to make sure that limp wrist C is being treated the same as Billy Joe when Limp wrist C complains about bathroom E or blah blah blah, but instead is hardnosed to the fact that their are standards that doesn't care about social issue xyz. Obviously no one should be above the law. But his points were valid as well, to a certain extent. Agree to disagree.
The line "You can't handle the truth" is so much less dramatic in the original play. It's not even by itself, but part of the response "Because you can't handle it, son. You can't handle the truth. You can't handle the sad but historic reality." Yet Jack Nicholson takes that one sentence and turns it into one of the most epic movie quotes of all time and I am _so_ here for it. 😁
Perfect example of two male actors who never risked their lives for their country participating in the Hollywood decades long smearing of the overwhelming majority of American men serving in the US military. These actors can only act like tough men.
@@farmerbill6855 Whaaaat?!? I can only assume you’re joking, because modern film making is so far beyond the abilities and techniques of that time. Though there are pretentious people that actually say unhinged things like this.
One of the reasons why even at his age... Tom still makes the dope shit. Most guys from that era "age out" and become like the Kevin Costner type roles... or Tom Hanks at his age. Tom is still doing action blockbusters... and they all have that "90s" quality that is lost now.
When this movie first came out, I remember Tom Cruise saying he had to be really ready for that courtroom scene because he knew Jack Nicholson was going to be bringing it. Great movie! I can watch it over and over and never get tired of it. Thanks for reacting!
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night because they know that rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Had I been an officer at this court martial, I'd have had a hard time placing any blame on two 18 year old Marines who thought they were doing what was needed and were ordered to do. Had they been officers or higher ranking NCOs, perhaps a different take. This is a great movie and incredible scene.
9702,I was 18 when I joined the navy and if an officer or Petty Officer in my division ordered me to give another sailor a blanket party I'd refuse that order.PERIOD. That's what's called an unlawful order. Plus,I'd also report them to my Chief Petty Officer.
Pretty sure when they filmed this scene, after Nicholson yells out "You're Goddamn right I did..." the entire room watching the performance, went SILENT, to the point of being able to hear a pin drop. Such an epic scene and performance. Kudos to Cruise and Nicholson, and to Sorkin's writing.
Which makes his entire character all the more evil. He dishonoured himself his unit and his men when he knowingly issued an illegal order then lied about it and tried to pin the blame on two innocent men who trusted him to lead them. He put his career above his men his unit and his honour. As a veteran I have a lot of sympathy for his motivation but none for his actions. We often preferred to handle discipline unofficially within the unit but there were clear lines we didn't cross the punishments were never physical (extra duties or training which the soldier would "volunteer" for) and the soldier was always offered the choice to accept the unofficial punishment or face the consequences of his mistake as per regulations. The punishments were usually very similar but by Volunteering for it they would avoid any disciplinary notes in their personal file which could affect their chances of promotion later. Any soldier not offered the unofficial option was screwed it meant his superiors thought he wasn't worth helping (usually because he'd been given enough chances already) or he couldn't be trusted to take his punishment on the chin and not complain about it.
@@Stogie2112 That would have been perfectly fine lying to the enemy is acceptable. Any soldier who doesn't know all politicians are the enemy shouldn't be trusted with sharp objects. His real crime was forgetting loyalty is a two way street he demanded loyalty from all his subordinates but gave none in return.
@@ianjardine7324 ... He didn't lie to any enemy. He lied to his fellow Marines, to officers of the U.S. Navy and to the Court. When you have a God complex, you don't care about giving loyalty to others - especially to subordinates.
Wolfgang Bodison, the person who played Dawson, was his first acting role. He was Reiner's PA. The way he performed in front of legends like Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Jack Nicholson. He deserves so much credit for the success of this movie.
I will qualify that both myself and my sons have served including in active combat. The best line in this film is at the end: “You don’t have to wear a badge to have honour”. Reputation is what others think of you, honour is what you know of yourself”!
Time ago I watched an interview about the movie (to Rob Reiner, I think) where he revealed that Bruce Willis (Demi Moore's husband then), who was filming another movie close to there, went to the set only to watch Jack Nicholson's performance in this scene. When you get that level of respect, then you are the best of the best.
I sincerely apologize for the mistake. It was my oversight, and I'll make sure to give proper credit with the correct channel names moving forward. I will be more careful in the future. Once again, I’m sorry for the error, and I assure you that the correct channel names will be added next time. Thank you for your understanding.
@@firsttimewatching7861 k, and appreciate you correctly identifying us on some other vids - also matrix is ours, if you can at least change the descriptions - (w Coby, if it's not a kids movie, it's probably our channel) otherwise, we love that you celebrate the reaction genre
"Marines follow orders or people die!", in his arrogance Jessep forgot that he was given an order by his superiors, no more Code Reds, he ignored that order and men died. Real men, real Marines, take responsibility for their mistakes.
I'm so appreciative that my dad made me watch so many great movies growing up--a part of me is sad that so many of these millennials (of which I am) and Gen Z reactors only knew this famous line as a meme of gif before ever seeing the film! Seeing so many of them say "oh this is where that's from" was a shock to me, I can't lie.
As a 10 Year USAF / USAFE Veteran the funniest thing about this film is that GITMO is probably one of the Safest Bases in the World! It's Not Dangerous Duty! .... Why do you think the US holds those Terrorists there?
I saw a interview with Kiefer Sutherland who said actors not working that day sat in the gallery just to watch jack who did it in one take and rob Reiner was silent a moment and said well, I guess we’re done.
@@cameronblack3202 I was wondering if some trumpsters might get their feelings hurt if their dictator leader has a fact check done on him. That's the reason he didn't have the 60 minutes interview every single candidate president has had at this time. They said that he would be fact checked. Trump said that was not tolerable and Trump would not agree. Limp wimp.
@@scallen3841 Well, currently, one of our nuclear subs has surfaced there. Immediately after one of it's Russian counterparts showed up in a Cuban port.
One of my fav T.C. movies!!! Great scene! If you can find the MTV Movie Awards parody of this scene with the actress that played the mom in the Brady Bunch series…you will fall over laughing…it is hilarious.
All well and good, but Alan Partridge took the Jack Nicholson role to another level with the North Norfolk Players stage production - doing things Nicholson never thought of.
Lol don't tell modern Hollywood to take notes, modern Hollywood sucks and always will suck...the 1990s was a great time for fresh movies with great storylines. They don't do those type of stories anymore, sadly.
Kaffee knew if he pressed Jessup hard enough Jessup would give in to his pride and ego and admit what he did ..he took the bait and bit down hard and wouldn't let go
Jack Nicholson has said the movies he chooses to do "have three good scenes and no bad scenes." This is obviously one of the good scenes that caught his attention.
Watching Legal Eagle and his Marine JAG associate watch this was amazing. While Spencer, his friend, thought that a lot of the self-aggrandizing behavior of Jessup was ludicrous being the barracks commander of a pre-9/11 Guantanamo Bay, not any place that would really be in any _genuine_ danger (Fidel Castro wasn't exactly insane), but if we accept that it was an in-character flaw, the movie was _amazing_ considering that.
One of my favorite insights about this scene was that this takes place post Cold War. Cuba posed no credible threat to the US. Jessup’s ego makes him think he’s defending the castle’s gate from a barbarian army that, in reality, doesn’t exist.
Jessup is one of those characters that seemed impressive when I was a kid, but as I got older and started encountering the business world at higher and higher levels, I realized more and more that he was just a cowardly, thin-skinned narcissist who used his corrupt connections and sacrificed his own people in order to avoid facing responsibility and accountability for his own leadership decisions and to protect his political career.
theres morons who still view him as the hero.. that they are wrong for holding him accountable.. that its an act of weakness to hold him accountable for treating some folks as expendable if it serves his cause and views
i used to be on the side of tom cruise but then i realized the doctor should have been charged with something and fired it's his fault for not catching the health issue. dawson and downey did put a gag in his mouth but that wouldn't have killed him normally if he didn't have the heart condition or at least that's what they say in the movie. i forgot the name of nicholson's character but he was wrong to order the code red since it is supposed to be outlawed in the military but if it wasn't outlawed and you're in the military you should know that it might happen and you should do everything you can to not get one. santiago was not able because of his health condition so it's not his fault he got one but he shouldn't have reported the shooting. it's easy for civilians to sit in their recliners and see this movie and say that shouldn't be done but when you're in the military you must follow orders unless they are illegal. they train you for your own good they want you to listen to your commanding officer who should have more experience in battle if they tell you something while in battle and you don't listen to them you may get killed. you need to follow orders without thinking in battle.
When he says "you cant handle the truth", this statement covers much more than training troops or giving orders. The military (whether rank, soldier or group of) does things in this country is exactly what Col Jessup also said "grotesque and incompressible". Examples: The Manhattan Project, Area 51. They cover(up) situations, things keeps this country free and protected. "You want me on that wall, you need me on that wall"
That's... utter horseshit... And you are just as insane as Nicholson... And this is coming from a Patriot who has full respect for what the Military stands for... 9 times out of 10... When the government makes a research project like "The Manhattan Project" it is ONLY to see WHAT they can find out... Because they can... There is no noble goal behind ANY of it... The Government created Charles Manson and the Unibomber for fuck's sake...
Terrible courtroom scene when it comes to how actual cross examinations are performed and general courtroom decor overall but, who cares, lol. Such a great movie scene, absolute classic!
Great scene. Very thrilling. Unfortunately, the rest of the film was just a set up for this scene. 15-20 minutes after the start, you knew how the movie would end.
i've seen this movie a dozen times and i can't understand how the judge who has been hearing this case can say after Cruise asks Nicholson if he ordered the code red the first time, the judge goes "you don't have to answer that question"........when the whole case is surrounding the fact that he allegedly ordered the code red. Of course Nicholson has to answer that question WTF??
@@IcyDeath91 well yes it would but the judge is not his protector the judge is not there to protect him let's say a murderer was on trial and the prosecutor says did you murder that girl do you think any judge is going to interfere and say you don't have to answer that question ? Nicholson is on trial he has to answer any question put to him
@@ChataCovers I don't know that that is true. Maybe since he's a witness and not the defendant, the rules are different. If I'm on trial for murder, I never have to take the stand, and if I do, I have the right to not answer incriminating questions. Not sure if that applies to witnesses or in military court.
Unfortunately, LC Dawson and PFC Downey STILL get found guilty. Dawson says because they didn't protect Santiago. When PFC Downey asks, "What did we do wrong/", military-wise, it was because they didn't sacrifice themselves, take their punishment quietly, and brought down a MUCH higher-ranking officer. Since the jury was made up of awarded level 'Top Brass', it was their subtle message to other officers to not challenge higher command. That was their "Dishonor"; thus, the "dishonorably discharge".
They were found innocent of the biggest charges. They were only convicted of Conduct Unbecoming of a Marine. That's why they were dishonorably discharged and not sent to prison. They followed an order that they should have known was illegal.
@@shawnjohnson9763 Sorry, but you are wrong. By Jessup's own words, his "marines follow orders or people die". "Conduct Unbecoming of a marine" is code for not sacrificing yourself for a powerful superior. Everyone in the military jury box was a high decorated officer. By daring not to take the plea deal and go to court, they LITERALLY challenged their superior and derailed one of the highest-ranking officers who was about to receive a much higher leadership position Not only did Jessup issue a "Code Red" order, but their lawyer got him to admit it in open court. ALLL because their "conduct unbecoming" was to challenge their authority and bringing down a powerful general". Do you REALLY thing they would say they are being punish for challenging Jessup's authority and promotion??
The politics of this movie are abhorrent, but damn if Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise don’t deliver one of the most riveting courtroom scenes in film history.
@@gasaholic47 very pro military. All the characters are in awe of the service the marines are providing; Demi Moore’s “they stand on a wall” moment is indicative of this. And Nicholson’s the villain not because he commands a base the US has been illegally occupying against the express wishes of the Cuban government, but because he lied to the US government about having given an order that led to a US soldier’s death.
@@gasaholic47 the cheering on of the military, mostly. Everyone is always in complete awe of how brave and strong the marines are; Nicholson is the villain not for being the commander of an illegal military base in a foreign country which has requested they leave multiple times, but because he lied to the US government about how he treated a US soldier. IRL Gitmo is a stain on the nation, and Cuba is not the aggressor against the US, it’s the other way around.
Apparently, none of the reactors could handle the truth, either. Everyone misses the epic defense Nicholson gives for his actions. His country asks him to defend freedom and are more than happy to bask in that freedom but then question him on how he provides that freedom. The ugly truth is freedom comes at a very great cost. As the Romans said: Si vis pacem, para bellum. To have peace, prepare for war.
So much of what he said was true. Unfortunately, he obviously came to believe he was above the honor that he spoke of. Otherwise, he would have taken responsibility for the order he gave that went so disastrously wrong right from the start.
As a veteran, absolutely LOVE Nicholson's speech, and he is completely right!!! I get the "moral highground" tone of the film, and the confrontation, but until your willing to pick up a weapon, and stand a post, you shouldn't question my methods of providing the security of the freedom we provide
You're either a typical poser, or someone that has no actual understanding of your duties and the literal law. You provide nothing here but empty stereotypes.
The real guilty party was that quack of a doctor missing the signs of cardiac issues. He should have sent him to Cardiologist. Would have probably been discharged with medical.
That attitude right there is how war crimes happen. Col. Jessup didn't simply sacrifice the moral high ground to defend his country, he disregarded the UCMJ completely, simply to run his base _his way._ The Marine Corps has no place for an officer like that.
@@orangeandblackattack Those 2 Marines were scarey,they acted like borg drones,like they couldn't think for themselves.Code Reds and blanket parties went out with bail bottom shoes,thank god. LOL. So many sub-standard military personnel in todays military,either doing it to get out of the military or having certain issues adapting to military life.
No joke war messes with people. My buddy from high school took his own life when he got back from Iraq and Afghanistan. Shoot himself right down the street from me.
One of the Greatest Movies Ever, one of the greatest acting performances ever!!! BTW the Jack Nicholson Character was 100% Right about everything that he said & did!!!
Peace is a beautiful thing. I live in peace. My biggest worry is what im going to eat tonight. But that is peace. My country is responsible for damn near allbthe war crimes. And thats because war is so much different. I cannot fathom qhat a soldier goes through in some shitty third world country. I dont know. What i do know is my country is failing its veterans. My country is cowardly. Killing men is wrong yes. But we do nèd people who are without morals without feeling tt9 defend our homes.
The point that many people miss is the men and women stand to protect us from a vial world. At times the things we do are not to your liking but necessary in order to provide the safety and protection that you so cherish. YES the "CODE RED" was NOT the proper way to handle this situation however, THIS speech puts the reality of what is needed and how unappreciated the efforts are of those who "STAND on that wall" Semper Fi
