A Few Good Men : This movie doesn't make any sense

This movie doesn't make any sense

Really...I doubt that someone like Jessup would screw up that bad and not hide it better. Really doesn't make sense once you think about it.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

How did he mess up exactly? I mean I have an idea but I would like to know what you think so that I can give an answer.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

This movie just seems like it is written and being acted in...know what I mean? Written by someone that wasn't in the military. Anyway, there's just something "off" about it. Jessup just seems like he went really stupid. It was just a mess that didn't make sense. He might as well have stuck to his story.

It's hard to explain...I've seen the movie many times...well the end on tv and it never made sense.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

What story would that be because sticking to the story was how he ended up getting trapped.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

It's hard to explain...I just didn't "buy" it. The way it was all presented didn't do it for me. I read up on it and indeed it was taken from a play that Sorkin wrote and the movie comes off that way. Wikipedia says that it came from a story that his sister told him while working JAG. I'd b interested in the real story and if the commander was as arrogant as Col. Jessup. Anyway his whole story and cover up seemed so stupid from the start to finish.

Again I've seen the movie a few times in its entirety and the end many more times surfing tv. It just never added up to me.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

The reasons for Jessup's actions are displayed at the Gitmo scenes.

Jessup is an arrogant POS as he lords over his XO who was also a classmate at the academy.

When he expresses his contempt for the prohibition of code reds, acknowledging he knows they are prohibited and yet still saw them as valuable.

Jessup was described as a "rising star" and it if became known that a Marine died as a direct result of Jessup failing to obey an order from the Marine Corps Command (Pentagon), his star would fade quickly.

Jessup ordered the code red in direct violation of orders. Then there is an "Ah Shyt" when the kid dies. Now, rather than simply take his lumps (probably early retirement) he covers it up with the help of his co-conspirators.

In the end, Jessup can't stand the fact that he has to sit there being grilled by a junior officer for whom he has absolutely no respect. In a moment of weakness, thinking he might be caught lying about the earlier flight, he blows a gasket.

Great drama, if you ask me. And realistic enough.





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Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

Hawkeye, did you serve?

I understand the plot just when you think about it...it makes Jessup just unbelievably stupid. At first he doesn't seem that stupid.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

Yes, I did serve.

And I never served under anyone as arrogant or as stupid as Jessup.
In many ways Jessup was a caricature, but that is not to say that men like him do not exist in real life. From what I have read, Generals Patton and MacArthur were quite arrogant, not knowing their proper place or role in the world scene. Both of them were highly decorated Academy graduates, and both of them were cut down a few notches when they forgot.

MacArthur, who did not set foot on American soil in over 20 years, had his plane take off just as president Truman's plane was approaching to land, specifically to to make the commander-in-chief stand there waiting for him to 'arrive.' Eventually, MacArthur was relieved of his command by Truman, with the full support of the Joint Chiefs.

Yes, there are some stupid leaders in the military.



For you to insult me, I would first have to value your opinion.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

I'm glad to hear your take on it Hawkeye. Bingo...I was looking for caricature and you nailed it. I like the end of THE CAINE MUTINY far better. More realistic.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

You're right in that he eventually blew a gasket but do you really think he would have let it get that far? When I watched this for the first time and Kaffee asked if Santiago's life wasn't in danger why did he have to be transferred I actually said out loud 'because he was a crap marine'. I've never served nor am I a lawyer and even I wasn't taken in by that question. I'm sure there are some stupid leaders in the military but Jesssop wasn't presented as one of them. Dramatic? yes! Realistic? Not in a million years!!

We have to show the world that not all of us are like him: Henning von Tresckow.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense


why did he have to be transferred ...


I'm not sure you understand the point of that exchange.

Kaffee knew he had to get Jessup rattled. He had to get him to lose his cool. That was Kaffee's only hope.

Right before that Jessup had declared that his men always follow orders. He declared that Santiago was not to be touched. According to Jessup, the order to transfer was made as the CO had compassion and did not want Santiago to be hurt. But, since his men always followed orders, he could not have been in danger or in need to be transferred.

When Jessup painted himself into that corner, he knew that he looked the fool in front of the jury, all made up of fellow officers.

The fact that this little pipsqueak non-line sailor could have him appear before the court to account for himself was bad enough, but when he was contradicted in open court, that set his blood boiling. "I have more responsibility than you could possibly imagine!" How dare he question his manner of command!


For you to insult me, I would first have to value your opinion.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

I get that part of the movie...just Jessup REALLY screwed up and was blatantly stupid in the end that I didn't like.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

He didn't screw up though, that's the point. Kaffee brilliantly lets him paint himself into a corner. He says earlier that he was being transferred for his safety. So that is the established reason for the transfer. Jessup is the one who states it this way, not Kaffee. Then, a little bit later, Jessup says that his orders are always followed and that he order Santiago not be touched. So when Kaffee asks why he needed to be transferred for his safety he is contradicting himself.

Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

Well I consider that screwing up. Then he answers the question he didn't have to.

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Re: This movie doesn't make any sense

It's all about having a God complex. Ever seen the movie Malice?
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