Original subtitles

This logo music was composed by Marc Shaiman...

...who I've worked with many, many times.

This was actually an early version done on a synthesizer.

We since have rerecorded it with a live orchestra.

These shots here are supposed to simulate Guantanamo Bay, Cuba...

...where part of the movie takes place.

And I actually was able to go down to Cuba...

...and visit the base down in Guantanamo Bay.

And this is very, very close to what it looks like.

This was shot down south...

...in the Laguna area...

...but it's very, very similar...

...to what we saw down in, as they say, Gitmo.

And here we see the Code Red being performed.

This is actually something that used to go down at Gitmo.

This kind of stuff actually used to happen.

And this whole story, A Few Good Men...

...was basically inspired by an actual case...

...that writer Aaron Sorkin's sister...

...was a lawyer in the Jag corps...

...and she was involved in a case that this whole movie is based on.

The movie's shot by Robert Richardson, who's worked a lot with Oliver Stone...

...and has done some great work with Martin Scorsese as well.

He's a brilliant cinematographer...

...and I think it's one of the best-looking pictures I've done.

Now what you're about to see...

...is the rifle drill team from the University of North Carolina.

I think it was the University of North Carolina. One of the colleges.

We actually had some cooperation with the military, not a lot.

At this point in the film they had not decided to give us cooperation...

...to film the actual rifle drill team of the Marine Corps.

So this is a bunch of college students...

...who are pretty darn good, but they're not the actual Marine Corps.

I love the opening of this film...

...with this drill team because--

It's just wonderful because it has this kind of...

...fabulous precision where everything is so spit and polished and precise.

And it belies all of the mess...

...that's about to unfold...

...with respect to the code red...

...and all the problems with military justice and what happens.

Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the play, also wrote the screenplay...

...and he's a brilliant writer.

Actually, I saw it on Broadway and it...

...got me to want to do the film.

It not only is a brilliantly written film...

...but the play was very, very powerful.

And the core of the story...

...which is, to me, a father and son story...

...is what motivated me to wanting to do the film.

Here's Demi Moore. And, like I say...

...it's interesting because out of this very precise drill team...

...you see this woman come out and she's about to take us...

...into the story and the mess that's going on inside the Marine Corps.

Captain West is expecting you.

Jo, come on in.

Lt. Commander Galloway. You know Commander Lawrence?

-I appreciate you seeing me. -Will you sit down?

-I'm fine, sir. -Have a seat!

-We've had some trouble in Cuba? -Yes, sir. Last Friday.

Two Marines, a Corporal Dawson and a Private Downey...

...entered the barracks room of a Private Santiago and assaulted him.

Santiago died in hospital an hour later.

Naval Intelligence Service says the two men...

...wanted to stop Santiago naming Dawson in a fence line shooting.

-The hearing's at 1600 hours. -What's the problem?

They're both model Marines. Santiago was a screw up.

-It sounds like a Code Red. -Christ!

I'd like to have them assigned counsel.

Someone who has both the legal skill...

...and a familiarity with the military.

I'd like to suggest that I be the one who that...

...that it be me who is assigned to represent them, myself.

Demi was really wonderful in the film and she fought very hard for the part.

She came in and auditioned, gave a great reading...

...and she's terrific in this film.

I thought Code Reds weren't going on anymore.

Who knows what goes on at Guantanamo with the Marines?

We'd better find out before the rest of the world does.

What about this Commander Galloway?

She's been working a desk at Internal Affairs for a little over a year.

She disposed of three cases in two years.

Who's she handling? Rosenbergs?

-She's not a litigator. -But a hell of an investigator--

In Internal Affairs, sure. She can crawl up a lawyer's ass with the best.

I know, I know, all passion, no street smarts. Bring her back in.

Jo.

-We'll have the defendants moved here. -Thank you, sir.

And I'll have Division assign them counsel.

But, not me?

You're too valuable to waste...

...on a five-minute plea bargain and a week's paperwork.

-There might be more involved. -Don't worry about it.

Division will assign the right man for the job.

Here's the right man for the job. Tom Cruise...

...wonderful in this film, was a joy.

Part of the joy of making this film was to work with Tom Cruise.

He's an incredible professional. He's a great actor...

...and he's very funny in this film.

He hadn't gotten a chance to be funny.

This was an opportunity for him and he went to school on me...

...and Kevin and whoever else was around with some comedy experience.

-Do we hang people from yardarms? -I don't think so.

Sherby doesn't think we do that anymore.

I'll charge him with being under the influence on duty.

You plead guilty, I'll recommend 30 days in the brig.

-It was oregano! -He thought it was marijuana.

He's a moron. That's not illegal.

I got people to answer to. I'm gonna charge him!

With possession of a condiment?

If you ask for jail time, I'll file a motion to dismiss.

You won't get it!

I'll file a motion seeking to obtain an evidentiary ruling in advance...

...then I'll file against pre-trial confinement.

You'll get three months' paperwork...

...because he smoked a dime bag of oregano.

This is a wonderful introduction to a character.

You have a guy who is skating through life...

...who never has really faced any kind of significant challenge.

It just establishes the character in a great way...

...as we see his evolution through the film.

This is another scene that further cements...

...this kind of guy who skates through life.

And there's Kevin Pollack, who is wonderfully funny...

...and a great dramatic actor as well.

-Thank you, sir. -This first one's for you.

You're moving up in the world. Division wants you.

-To do what? -Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

A Marine Corporal named Dawson fires a round...

...from his weapon, over the fenceline and into Cuba.

This is Xander Berkeley, and what's great...

...is that we had such terrific actors in all the parts, big and small.

We had really wonderful actors.

Dawson and another member of his squad, Private Louden Downey...

...go into Santiago's room, tie him up...

...stuff a rag down his throat...

...an hour later, he's dead.

Attending physician says the rag was treated with a toxin.

-They poisoned him? -Not according to them.

-What do they say? -Not much.

They're being flown up tomorrow. On Wednesday...

...you'll catch a transport down to Cuba to find out what you can.

In the meantime, go and see Lt. Commander JoAnne Galloway.

-Any questions? -I fly at 0600? In the morning?

We'll go by the book, so I'm assigning co-counsel.

Any volunteers?

No. I've a stack of papers to do.

-Work with Kaffee. -For just four days?

Doing various administrative... things.

In other words, no responsibilities?

My kind of case!

This was supposed to be Jag corps. We shot it at St. Elizabeth's Hospital...

...in Washington, DC.

-Hi! -Hold on...Hi!

Daniel Kaffee. I was told to meet...

...Lieutenant Commander Galloway.

-About a briefing. -I'II call you back.

-You're the attorney? -Yes, and this is Sam Weinberg.

-I have no responsibilities. -Have a seat.

-Have you been in the Navy long? -Nine months now.

-And when did you graduate? -A year ago.

-I see. -Have I done something wrong?

When I asked for counsel, I hoped to be taken seriously.

No offense taken.

He's our best litigator.

He obtained 44 plea bargains in nine months.

-Almost got my steak knives. -Have you ever been in court?

I had my license suspended...

They need a priest, not a lawyer.

No, they'll need a lawyer.

Dawson's family has been contacted. Downey just has his aunt.

The wonderful thing about Sorkin's writing...

...is that all the characters are intelligent.

He has a wonderful way with dialog.

It's a question of who's more intelligent.

But every character is interesting and intelligent.

The papers say he's tipped for the National Security Council.

-Santiago sent these from GITMO. -That's Guantanamo Bay.

He wrote to all the senior officers, even his senator.

He wanted a transfer. No one listened. Are you with me?

Then he offered to trade information about the shooting for a transfer.

Right. Is that all?

It seems your client had a motive to kill Santiago.

—Got you! And Santiago is...who? -The victim.

These letters are not flattering about Marine Corps life?

And an investigation might embarrass the Security Council guy?

-Colonel Jessep... -12 years.

If they drop "conspiracy" and "conduct unbecoming".

-You haven't done anything yet! -Impressive, huh?

-You'll have to go deeper. -Do you have jurisdiction here?

My job is to make sure you do your job.

So my jurisdiction's in your face.

Read the letters. Report when you return from Cuba.

-Dismissed! -I always forget that part.

He's preoccupied. He has a baseball game next week.

Tell him not to get cute. Guantanamo Marines are fanatical.

-About what? -About being Marines.

"My name is PFC William Santiago-

We shot this here in Los Angeles...

...at an abandoned Army barracks.

I am writing to inform you of my problems here in Cuba.

I've fallen out of runs before, because of dizziness or nausea.

On May 18th, I'd fallen back about 20 yards going down a rocky hill.

My sergeant pushed me down the hill, then I saw all black and fell down.

The hospital said it was heat exhaustion.

I ask your help. I need a transfer out of RSC.

Sincerely, PFC William T. Santiago, US Marines. "

"PS: In exchange for my transfer,

I have information about the shooting on August 2nd. "

Who the fuck is PFC William T. Santiago?

It's a great introduction to Nicholson's character, Jessep.

Nicholson's one of the actors...

...who can say the word "fuck" better than anybody.

Except maybe De Niro. It's pretty close between the two of them.

That's J.T. Walsh, who's now no longer with us.

He's a brilliant actor.

Actually, one of the things...

...I talked to Jane Jenkins, our casting director, about was...

...if we could get everybody that's as good as J.T. Walsh.

Or as, what I call, as "unsweaty" an actor as Walsh.

He's the most natural and realistic. And we were able to do that.

We had Kiefer Sutherland. He's also brilliant in the film.

But all the parts big and small...

...are cast with actors who, like I say, are not sweaty actors.

They just work in a very real, understated way.

He's that bad?

If word of this letter gets out, he'll get his ass whipped.

Transfer Santiago? You're right. Yes, that's the thing to do.

Wait! I've got a better idea.

Let's transfer the whole squad.

No, let's transfer the whole division off the base.

Jon, go and tell the boys to pack their bags.

Tom!

Get me the President. We're surrendering our position in Cuba.

Wait a minute, Tom. Maybe we should consider this for a second.

Dismissed, Tom.

I'm just spit-balling here,

but maybe it's our responsibility to train Santiago?

Maybe we have a responsibility to this country to see

that those protecting it are trained professionals.

I think I read that somewhere once.

And I'm thinking, Colonel, that your idea of transferring Santiago,

while expeditious and painless,

might not be quite the American way?

Santiago stays where he is.

We're going to train the lad. Jon, you're in charge.

If Santiago doesn't get 4.6, 4.6 in his next proficiency report,

I'm going to blame you. And then I'll kill you.

I think that's a mistake, Colonel.

Matthew, I think I'll have that word in private now.

That's all. Meet me at the "O" Club. We'll talk about William's training.

-I'II welcome your suggestions. -Dismissed.

Matthew, sit down. Please.

-What do you think of Kendrick? -I don't think my opinion...

I think he's a bit of a weasel.

But he's a very good officer, and we agree on how to do our job.

Our business is saving lives. We have to take that seriously.

I believe that if we transfer a Marine who is not up to the job,

we put lives in danger. Sit down, Matthew.

We went to the Academy together, served in Vietnam together.

But I've been promoted with more speed and success than you.

If that causes you tension or embarrassment, I don't give a shit.

Our business is saving lives, Lieutenant Colonel Markinson.

Don't ever question my orders in front of another officer.

Nicholson is obviously one of the great actors of all time.

He's in the pantheon along with Spencer Tracey...

...and Humphrey Bogart and all the great actors.

One of the things he did for us, was he set a tone for the other actors...

...a lot of younger actors in the film...

...that we were coming to work and do our jobs.

There was a tremendous respect for the material.

We worked with wonderful material.

And actors don't often get to say great words like are in this film...

...and Nicholson respected that...

...and sent that message to the other actors...

...and I think it had definitely...

...a positive effect on the rest of the cast.

Here we see...

...Lieutenant Galloway and Kaffee meeting for the first time.

There's sexual tension.

There always is when you have men and women together.

There's some sexual tension here that we create...

...but we never really make good on it.

And I think that's one of the pluses of this film...

...is that we didn't go for...

...the romance you would expect between these two.

There was an undercurrent of sexuality that was always present...

...but I think it made it a much stronger film...

...not to go for the obvious romantic interest...

...that could occur here.

Son of Lionel Kaffee, former Attorney-General, died 1985.

You went to Harvard, then joined the Navy, because your father wanted it.

You're just treading water here until you get a real job.

But that's fine, I won't tell.

But if you handle this case in your usual slick manner,

then something's gonna get missed.

I can't let Dawson and Downey sit in jail

because you chose the path of least resistance.

Wow! I'm sexually aroused, Commander!

I don't think it was murder. There was no intent.

Santiago asphyxiated from acute lactic acidosis.

It was suggestive of poison. Whatever that means, it sounds bad.

When he died, the doctor didn't know the reason.

-Two hours later, he said poison. -Was it Prof. Plumb in the library?

I'll see your supervisor.

He's in the big white house with the pillars.

I don't think you'll have much luck. Division must think I'm good.

I appreciate your interest and enthusiasm, but I can handle things.

With all films...

...what you remember most is the experience making a film...

...not necessarily the film itself.

And I remember this day, when we shot this.

I had--My first child was born, he was five months old...

...and we spent the day in the park playing ball.

We had some downtime, and we actually played a softball game together...

...the whole group of us.

But my little boy was there...

...experiencing the making of a film for the first time.

This scene we see James Marshall and Wolfgang Bodison.

Wolfgang, the big guy over there...

...the African-American guy...

...who was one of the guys chose by Corporal Dawson...

...was my assistant, actually, on Misery, when we made Misery.

And he was working at Castle Rock...

...as an assistant location manager.

I had a tough time casting the part of Dawson.

I didn't have a guy who was big and strong.

I couldn't find the right actor, and one day...

...we were in the hallway at Castle Rock...

...and Wolfgang walked by and I said:

"I need somebody like Wolfgang to play the part."

I said to him, "Have you ever acted before?" He said, "No."

And I said, "You want to try?" He said, "Yes."

And he read for me and he eventually got the part.

We worked hard. He'd never acted before.

And we worked for many months before we started shooting...

...and by the time his important scenes came up...

...which was three months into the production...

...he was up to the task and he did a great job.

And James Marshall, who plays Private Downey...

...is also a wonderful actor and very naturalistic.

-Turpentine, antifreeze? -We were going to shave his head.

-When suddenly... -Blood was dripping down his mouth.

There was blood all over his face, so Dawson called the ambulance.

-Did anyone see you call it? -No, sir.

-Were you there when it arrived? -Yes, and we were arrested.

Did you on Aug. 2nd fire a shot across the fenceline into Cuba?

Yes, sir. My mirror engaged, sir.

Every American sentry has a Cuban counterpart. His "mirror".

What he's talking about is the guards...

...that were across the fenceline in Guantanamo Bay.

And I visited down there...

...and stood on an American guard post...

...and I could look out and see, literally...

...between three and five hundred yards away...

...a Cuban guard post with a Cuban soldier standing post.

And you could see that with your naked eyes.

So there you are...

...with the enemy, literally, less than 500 yards away.

All right. Did you intend to kill Santiago?

—No, sir, to train him! -Train him to do what?

To think of his unit before himself. To respect the code.

-What's the code? -Unit, Corps, God, Country!

-Pardon? -Unit, Corps, God, Country...sir.

The government wants to charge you with murder.

You want me to tell the prosecutor 'Unit, Corps, God, Country' ?

That's our code, sir.

That's your code. We'll be back.

-You need anything? Books, papers? -No, thank you, sir!

There's a concept you'd better get used to.

—Sir? -I'm the only friend you've got.

And here we see Kevin Bacon...

...who again, we had just an incredible cast in this film.

We were lucky to get somebody of Kevin's calibre to play this part.

Unfortunately I play softball best. I'm off to Cuba, Janelle!

Say hi to Castro for me.

If they plead guilty they get 20 years and serve half.

-12. They called the ambulance. -They killed a Marine.

The lab says maybe the rag was poisoned.

The Chief of Internal Medicine says he's sure.

-What do you know about Code Reds? -Oh, man...

Are we off the record?

You'll get the 12 years. But you should know

Lieutenant Kendrick specifically told the men not to touch Santiago.

-We playing hoops tomorrow? -Do we have a deal?

I'll talk to you when I get back.

-Any luck getting me replaced? -Everyone's your friend.

Listen, I came to make peace. What do you say, friends?

I took Downey the comic books he wanted.

He hardly knows why he's been arrested.

-Look, Commander... -Call me JoAnne. Or Jo.

You contact them again, I'll have you disbarred. Friends?

I had authorization from Ginny Miller, his aunt.

-Aunt Ginny authorized you? -I called her.

-We spoke for an hour. -You were authorized by Aunt Ginny.

-It's within my province. -We can hold the trial in her barn.

I'll sew the costumes, Uncle Goober can be judge.

I'm going to Cuba with you tomorrow.

"And the hits just keep on coming."

I like this recording of Big Mama Thornton singing "Hound Dog"...

...which was the original, before Elvis made it famous.

It was written by Lieber and Stoller...

...and she was the original artist to record "Hound Dog."

-How's it going, Luther? -Another day, another dollar.

This is Harry Caesar, another great actor who's no longer with us.

But again, there's so many good actors in the movie.

They're all people that look like they just...

...came off the street and walked into the film.

You're my witness: the baby spoke. She said a word.

-She made a sound. -Come on! It was definitely a word.

We shot this in Georgetown, in Washington, DC.

You heard her. She pointed and said "Pa."

She was pointing at a mailbox.

That's right. Pointing as if to say, "Pa! Look, a mailbox."

Jack Ross came to see me. Offered me the 12 years.

-That's what you wanted, right? -I know.

I mean, I guess...

I'll take it. I'll take it.

It took about 45 seconds. He barely put up a fight.

Danny, take the 12 years, it's a gift.

You don't believe them. You think they should go to jail for life.

I believe every word of their story, and I think they should get life.

See you tomorrow.

Don't forget to wear white. Very hot there.

-I don't like the whites. -Nobody likes the whites.

We're going to Cuba. You got Dramamine?

It keeps you cool?

No, it keeps you from throwing up. You get airsick.

It's because I'm afraid of crashing. Dramamine won't help.

I got some oregano. I hear that works.

Ross said the strangest thing to me right before I left.

He said commander Lt. Kendrick had a meeting with the men...

...and specifically told them not to touch Santiago.

So?

I never mentioned Kendrick. I don't know who he is.

What the hell.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Interestingly enough, Guantanamo Bay, part of Cuba...

...is very dry and doesn't have that lush feeling you associate with Cuba.

So it was very accurate to give it this dry and dusty look.

Here we see Noah Wyle, who's another wonderful actor in the film.

Again, he was somebody who just seemed like he walked in off the street.

If Cubans see an officer in white...

...they might want to take a shot.

Good call, Sam.

We'll hop on the ferry, be there in no time.

-Hold it. We're taking a boat? -To get across the bay.

-No one mentioned a boat. -Is there a problem?

No, I'm just not that crazy about boats, that's all.

Jesus Christ, you're in the Navy, for crying out loud!

-Nobody likes her very much. -Yes, sir.

We did this with a matte shot and painted in those boats.

I don't do too many of those kind of process shots.

I don't find them particularly effective, but there was one of them.

Daniel Kaffee, I'm the attorney for Dawson and Downey.

This is Lt. Commander JoAnne Galloway.

Observing and evaluating. Lt. Sam Weinberg, my assistant.

This is Colonel Markinson, and platoon leader Lt. Kendrick.

I've asked them to join us. Sit down.

-Lieutenant Kaffee. -Colonel Markinson.

I met your father once. He spoke at my high school.

Lionel Kaffee?

Yes, sir.

This man's dad once made a lot of enemies in your neck of the woods.

Jefferson versus Madison County School District.

Folks down there didn't want a black girl in a white school.

Lionel Kaffee said, "We'll see about that."

How the hell is your dad, Danny?

He passed away seven years ago, sir.

Don't I feel like the fucking asshole!

Not at all, sir.

What can we do for you, Danny?

Not much, sir.

This is really a formality more than anything else.

They insist we interview everyone.

JAG Corps can be demanding that way.

Jon'll show you what you want to see.

After that we'll hook up for lunch.

-How does that sound? -Fine, sir.

-You met with your men that afternoon. -Yes, I did.

-What did you guys talk about? -I told them we had an informer...

...but despite any desires they had to seek retribution...

...Private Santiago was not to be harmed in any way.

-What time was that meeting? -1600.

That's four o'clock.

This next scene coming up...

...was something we added to the film that didn't exist in the play.

There were plot holes in the play...

...that don't get noticed when you do a play...

...but when you do a film, very often the holes in a plot...

...will become very evident.

So this whole element here...

...of discovering Santiago's locker...

...and seeing that none of the clothes were packed...

...is something that comes into play later on...

...and something that Kaffee's able to use...

...in an effort to shake Jessep on the witness stand.

We should make sure somebody gets this to his parents.

-Lt. Kendrick, may I call you Jon? -No.

-Have I offended you? -No, I like all you Navy boys.

The wonderful thing about Bob Richardson's cinematography is...

...if you look, he puts light in places that are not obvious.

You see that light across the chin of Kiefer Sutherland...

...and in the background...

...but off of his face and off of his eyes.

So he uses light in a very interesting way.

If you see, the light is on Kaffee's shirt...

...and the light is on Sam Weinberg's shoulder.

We shot this down in San Pedro...

...at the admiral of the Coast Guard's house.

This looks very much like what we saw when we were in Guantanamo Bay.

The commander of the base had a house very similar to this.

There were Jamaicans and Cubans down there that did all the serving.

This looks very, very much like what we saw down in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

An NIS agent told you that Santiago knew about a fenceline shooting.

Santiago was going to reveal who did it in exchange for a transfer.

If you feel there are any details I'm missing...

...you should feel free to speak up.

Thank you.

This is a great scene because we see Kaffee...

...not really putting himself forward...

...and resisting having to go through this process...

...and not wanting to really face it head-on.

We see the beginning of the transition he makes...

...to become his own person by the end of the film.

On the first flight to the State, 0600 next morning.

Five hours too late, it turned out.

All right, that's all I have. Thank you.

The corporal will drive you back.

-Wait, I've got some questions. -No, you don't. No!

On the morning of the death, did you meet with Dr. Stone?

Of course I met with the doctor. One of my men was dead.

You see? He was dead. Let's go.

Have you ever heard the term Code Red?

I've heard the term, yes.

In February, you received a cautionary memo...

...from the Fleet Commander...

...warning against enlisted men disciplining their own.

I submit to you that whoever wrote that memo...

...has never faced the working end of a Cuban AK-47 assault rifle.

However...

...having come from the commander, I gave it its due attention

What is your point, Jo?

She has no point, she often has none. It's part of her charm. Goodbye!

My point is that I think Code Reds still go on.

Do Code Reds still happen--

-He doesn't need to answer that. -Yes, he does.

-No, he really doesn't. -Yeah, he really does.

Colonel?

You know, it just hit me.

She outranks you, Danny!

I want to tell you something. Listen up, I mean this.

You're the luckiest man in the world.

There is nothing on this earth sexier, believe me...

...than a woman you have to salute in the morning.

Promote them all, I say!

If you've never had a blowjob from a superior officer...

...you're letting the best in life pass you by.

The practice of Code Reds is still condoned here--

I'm a colonel, so I'll just take cold showers...

...till they elect some gal president.

I need an answer to my question.

Take caution in your tone, Commander.

I'm a fair guy, but this...

...fucking heat is making me absolutely crazy.

You asked me about Code Reds.

On the record, I discourage it, in accordance with the commander.

Off the record, it's an invaluable part of training.

If it goes on without my knowledge, so be it.

I run my unit how I run my unit.

If you want to investigate me, roll the dice and take your chances.

I eat breakfast 300 yards from 4000 Cubans trained to kill me.

So don't think you can come down here...

...flash a badge and make me nervous.

Let's go.

Colonel, I just need a copy of Santiago's transfer order.

What's that?

Santiago's transfer order. You guys have paperwork. For the file.

For the file?

Yeah.

Of course you can have a copy of the transfer order.

-I'm here to help in any way I can. -Thank you.

You believe that, don't you? That I'll help any way I can?

Of course.

The corporal will take you by personnel on your way to the flight line.

You can have all the transfer orders you want.

But you have to ask me nicely.

I beg your pardon?

You have to ask me nicely.

I can deal with bullets, bombs and blood.

I don't want money or medals.

What I do want is for you to stand there...

...in that faggoty white uniform and Harvard mouth...

...extend me some fucking courtesy.

You got to ask me nicely.

Colonel Jessep, if it's not too much trouble...

...I'd like a copy of the transfer order...

...sir.

No problem.

The score in this film was very understated...

...but I think it's very effective.

Mark Shaman, who is incredibly versatile, did the score for this...

...as well as a number of scores of other films I've done...

...and this music, which is very haunting, has been used...

...in many other places...

...in commercials, in TV shows and all kinds of things.

-Who is it? -It's me.

I've really missed you. It's been almost three hours--

Markinson's disappeared.

He's gone U.A. Unauthorized Absence.

-I know what it means. When? -This afternoon, after we left.

-I'II find him in the morning. -I've already tried.

You're coming dangerously close...

...to interfering with a government investigation.

I'm Louden Downey's attorney.

Aunt Ginny feels like she's known me for years.

So I suggested that I get more directly involved with the case.

She had Louden sign the papers about an hour ago.

I suppose it's too much to hope you're making this up to bother me.

-Don't worry, you're still lead counsel. -Splendid.

I think Kendrick ordered the Code Red. So do you.

Let's go.

Officer on deck, atten—hut!

-Did Kendrick order Code Red? -Sir?

Don't say sir like I just asked you if you cleaned the latrine.

You heard me. Did Lt. Kendrick order you guys to give Santiago a Code Red?

Yes, sir.

Did he?

Yes, sir.

Why didn't you mention this before?

You didn't ask us, sir.

I get paid, no matter how much time you spend in jail.

-I know you do, sir. -Fuck you, Harold!

At ease.

-Let's sort this thing out. -Shit!

There was a platoon meeting on September 6th.

Lt. Kendrick says he told you nothing was to happen to Santiago.

Is this true?

I want you to speak freely.

That's correct. But then he dismissed the platoon and we went to our rooms.

-What happened then? -Lt. Kendrick came to our room.

Lt. Kendrick came to our room.

When?

About five minutes after the meeting broke. About 16.20.

And what happened then?

Lt. Kendrick ordered us to give Santiago a Code Red.

This sequence coming up is one of my favorites.

I love the way it's shot...

...and I also think the acting is brilliant in it.

We see this kind of face-off...

...between Kevin Bacon and Tom Cruise here.

We got two great actors, and Aaron writes wonderful dialog...

...and he has really intelligent characters...

...and you see very intelligent people going after each other in this scene.

God forbid our clients might plead not guilty and testify they were ordered.

Kendrick told them not to touch Santiago.

And then he told Dawson and Downey to give him a Code Red.

-Kendrick's lying. -You have proof?

23 Marines and a highly decorated lieutenant disagree.

-Why did Markinson go U.A.? -You'll never know.

-I can't subpoena Markinson? -You won't find him.

You know what Markinson did for 17 years? Counterintelligence.

Markinson's gone. There is no Markinson.

Look, Danny.

Jessep's star is on the rise.

Division wants to spare him and the Corps any embarrassment.

I'II knock it down to involuntary manslaughter. Two years.

No, we'll go to court.

-No, you're not. -Why not?

Because you'll lose. Danny knows it.

If we go to court, I'll have to go all the way:

They'll be charged with murder, conspiracy, conduct unbecoming.

Danny's got me by the balls here, but not in the courtroom.

Danny's a talented lawyer. He won't let them get life...

...if they could be home in six months.

That's the end of this negotiation.

See you at the arraignment.

All right, here's the story:

The government's offering involuntary manslaughter. Two years.

You'll be home in six months.

Wow! You're the greatest lawyer in the world!

How can we ever thank you?

Did you hear what I just said?

You're going home in six months.

I'm afraid we can't do that, sir.

Do what?

-Make a deal, sir. -What are you talking about?

We did nothing wrong. We did our job.

If that has consequences, I'II accept them.

But I won't say that I'm guilty, sir.

-Did she put you up to this? -We have a code, sir.

You and your code plead not guilty. You'll be in jail for life.

Do what I tell you, you'll be home in six months.

Do it, Harold. Six months, it's nothing, it's a hockey season!

Permission to-- Speak! Jesus!

—What do we do then, sir? -When?

After six months we'll be dishonorably discharged.

-Probably. -What do we do then, sir?

We joined the Marines because we wanted to live by a certain code.

We found it in the Corps.

You're asking us to say we have no honor...

...to say we're not Marines!

If a court decides we were wrong, I'll accept my punishment.

But I believe I did my job.

I will not dishonor myself, my unit...

...or the Corps so that I can go home in six months.

We shot this scene almost the last day of the shoot...

...and I worked with Wolfgang for six months before we shot this scene...

...and you can see he rose to the occasion.

But it took a lot of work and he worked very hard...

...and he had never acted before so this was a big challenge for him.

We'd like to go to another room.

Sit down.

You don't like me very much, do you?

Forget it, it doesn't matter.

You know...

...Downey worships you.

He'll do whatever you do.

Are you going to let this happen to him because of a code?

Do you think we were right?

-It doesn't matter-- -Do you think we were right?!

I think you'd lose.

You're such a coward.

I can't believe you wear a uniform.

I won't be responsible for this.

You're going to Leavenworth for the better part of your life...

...and you know what? I don't give a shit!

What happened to saluting an officer...

...when he leaves the room?

I don't believe it! He's going to jail to spite me!

Fine! If he wants to jump off a cliff, that's his business.

-How do I get him a new lawyer? -Make a motion at the arraignment.

The judge asks if you'll enter a plea, say you want new counsel assigned.

That's that.

One thing, though. When you ask for new counsel, be sure and ask nicely.

-What do you want from me? -I want you to make an argument.

That didn't help Calley at My Lai, or the Nazis at Nuremberg.

Do you think that's the same

as two teenagers executing an order

they didn't think would harm?

Don't look now, but you're making an argument.

I'll get them a new attorney.

What are you afraid of? You father's expectations?

Spare me the psychobabble!

They'll just have another lawyer.

They need you. You know how to win.

If you walk away from this now, you've sealed their fate.

Their fate was sealed when Santiago died.

-Do they have a case? -You and Dawson are dreamers.

It's not what I believe, but what I can prove.

So, don't tell me what I know or don't know. I know the law!

Here we have Tom fighting tooth and nail...

...to hang onto his youth...

...and his irresponsible behavior...

...and not wanting to face...

...who he really is and be a man.

And you've got JoAnne Galloway pulling him...

...as he goes kicking and screaming into manhood.

And it's really what drew me to this project.

You have somebody...

...who's facing the burden of a famous father...

...and living in his shadow.

A father who's accomplished a tremendous amount.

In this case, in law.

And a young man who is wrestling with who he is...

...in relationship to his father and becoming his own man.

To me, that's the core of this film. Aside from, like I say...

...the elements of military justice that we deal with.

But that's what drew me to this film.

All rise.

Here we have J.A. Preston playing the judge_.

...who's another wonderful actor.

We had so many good actors and a great script...

...that if! had messed this thing up, they'd take my Director's Guild card.

Does the defense wish to enter a plea?

They're not guilty.

Enter a plea of "not guilty".

Adjourned until 10.00, three weeks from today,

when we will reconvene.

Why would a lieutenant with so little experience

get a murder case?

Would it be, so that it never sees the inside of a courtroom?

This is where he makes that transition.

And it's great. The way Aaron constructs this play...

...and this screenplay is beautiful.

We see this character turning on a dime here...

...and starting the process of becoming a man.

So this is what a courtroom looks like!

Did you speak to your friend at the NIS?

She said, if Markinson doesn't want to be found, he won't be.

I could be Markinson, and you wouldn't know.

—Are you Markinson? -No.

I'm not Markinson. That's two down.

What?

Now that JoAnne's on this...

Do you still need me?

-They were ordered, Sam. -An illegal order.

You think Dawson and Downey knew it was illegal?

Any decent person would have...

They can't question orders.

What's the secret? I give orders nobody obeys!

We have softball and marching bands.

They risk getting shot at.

I need you. You're better at research than I am.

And you know how to prepare a witness.

I've got medical reports and Chinese food. Let's eat first.

What?

Got any kung pao chicken?

That line never got a laugh.

I always thought it was funny, but no audience ever laughed at it.

Code Reds are normal at Guantanamo.

And there was an order. Kendrick gave it, they had no choice.

-What about their motive? -That doesn't make them guilty.

We'll deal with that later.

We must show that Santiago could have died from something else.

Jo, find out all about lactic acidosis.

This was a montage that showed how they were preparing for the case...

...and you'll notice the last part of it...

...is just merely a push-in...

...on the apartment that they're in.

But it was a very, very complicated...

...piece of filming to do...

...because it changed light...

...we changed costumes, and it gave the sense of days going by...

...and yet it's just one single camera moving in on a building.

It looks very simple, but it was very, very complicated.

There's no tricks to it. Here it is. Here it comes.

There are no tricks to it, no computer-generated anything.

It's just the camera moving in and we didn't use motion control.

We did it in the old-fashioned way, and I think it's very effective.

They want to know who's to blame. We say, Kendrick.

This won't be won by the law, but by the lawyers. So, poker faces.

If something goes wrong, don't hang your head or scribble.

Look like you expected it.

-Pass me documents-- -"Swiftly, and don't look anxious."

That perfume wrecks my concentration.

I was talking to Sam.

-What time is it? -Time to go home and sleep.

-Give me a ride? -Sure.

-You're a good man, Charlie Brown. -See you in court, counsellor.

I know. We've had our differences.

We both said things we didn't mean.

If you've gained some respect for me, I'm happy about that.

But it's no big deal. You needn't say you like me.

I was just going to tell you to wear matching socks

Okay. Good tip.

Tom had never done any comedy before, but he worked very hard.

He went to school on me, as they say, and he went to school on Kevin Pollak.

And you can see he's got great timing and some great comic rhythms.

-You are gonna save our son? -I'II do my best.

Ginny is played my Maud Winchester.

Maud is my brother Lucas' wife. And she's a wonderful actress.

-I was expecting someone older. -So was I.

—Last chance. I'll flip you for it. -All rise.

Too late.

The courtroom set is beautiful, I think.

J. Michael Riva, the production designer on the film...

...I think did a great job.

It has this kind of...

...formal military kind of magnitude...

...and yet it's very traditional.

But it gives the whole proceedings an extra added weight.

They woke him, tied him, and forced a rag into his throat.

A reaction called lactic acidosis caused his lungs to bleed.

He drowned in his own blood, and was dead at 00.37 am.

These are the undisputed facts of the case.

What I've just told you is exactly what you will hear...

...from Corporal Dawson and Private Downey.

We will also show that they soaked the rag in poison...

...and entered Santiago's room with motive and intent to kill.

Lt. Kaffee is going to try and work a little magic here.

He'll try a little misdirection. Astonishing stories of rituals.

Dazzle you with official-sounding terms like "Code Red."

He may even try to cut into a few officers.

He has no evidence, but it'll be entertaining.

But in the end, all this magic will not obscure the fact...

...that Willy Santiago is dead, and Dawson and Downey killed him.

-These are the undisputed facts. -Lt. Kaffee.

It is futile to try and prove that there was poison or intent to kill.

Dawson and Downey didn't go to Santiago seeking vengeance.

And they weren't looking for kicks. They were ordered to do it.

I'll say that again: They were ordered to do it.

In the real world, or here in Washington, that doesn't mean much.

But if you're a Marine in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba...

...you follow orders, or you pack your bags.

Dawson and Downey are sitting here because they did their job.

-Call the first witness. -We call Mr. R.C. McGuire.

Here's an actor named Arthur Senzy.

And like I say, all the small parts in the film had this...

We had these wonderful actors with a kind of very naturalistic quality.

Every one of the witnesses have this great quality.

Robert C. McGuire, Special Agent, NIS.

Did you receive a letter from PFC Santiago on the 3rd of September?

-We did. -What did it say?

That a member of the unit had shot across the fenceline.

Was he named?

No. I told Colonel Jessep that I would be coming down to investigate.

And what did you find?

Only one sentry had a bullet missing.

-Who was that? -Corporal Harold Dawson.

-What did Dawson say about this? -That he was engaged by the enemy.

-But you don't believe him? -It's not--

Why was Dawson never charged?

-There wasn't enough evidence. -Thank you.

Why was there not enough evidence? You had the letter.

Santiago was the only eyewitness. I had no chance to interview him.

-And now we'll never know, right? -No.

-No more questions. -The witness is excused.

Here's a trick that Hitchcock used in Rope.

You pass by a pillar and you turn into another scene.

And it's pretty effective and it's fairly simple.

You just keep the camera locked into position behind the pillar...

...change the lighting and actors...

...and then just move the camera beyond the pillar.

Here's Cuba Gooding, Jr., another wonderful actor.

-Did that make you mad? Truthfully? -Yes, sir.

-How mad? -Santiago betrayed our code.

-Were other men also angry? -Objection. Speculation.

Were Dawson and Downey?

Objection! The witness is asked how my clients felt on Sept. 6th.

Sustained.

Did Lieutenant Kendrick give you a standing order at that meeting?

-Yes, sir. -What was it?

He said, not to take matters into our own hands.

-What was the order? -Santiago wasn't to be touched.

Your witness.

Were you in Dawson and Downey's room five minutes later?

No, sir.

-Thanks. No more questions. -The witness is excused.

Corporal Raymond Thomas.

This is the benefits of shooting a film...

...with anamorphic lenses 2.35.

You can see this rack of focus here, which is a wonderful way...

...of shifting the attention in the scene.

But none of them were in Dawson and Downey's room at 16.20.

-Captain? -The government will concede that.

Then we will adjourn. You can call your next witness tomorrow.

All rise.

To say something else about anamorphic lenses:

I had never made a film with this aspect ratio, which is 2.35.

And usually you use these kind of lenses for epic-type films...

...with an epic nature...

...and are a lot of exteriors and have a broad scope to it.

But Robert Richardson convinced me to use anamorphic lenses for this film...

...because he said it would add extra scope...

...to what would ordinarily just be a contained, confined courtroom drama.

And I'm glad he suggested it and I'm glad I listened to him...

...because I think it adds a lot of depth to the film...

...and it would have been a lot more confining type of movie...

...without these anamorphic lenses.

Here's Christopher Guest, who's a good friend of mine.

And he's also a terrific actor, and so versatile.

I mean, you remember him as Nigel Tufnel in Spinal Tap.

He couldn't be playing a character further away from that in this film.

How long does it take before muscles start burning sugar?

-20 to 30 minutes. -What made it faster with Santiago?

-Some kind of poison. -The witness is speculating!

He is an expert medical witness. It is not speculation.

He is not a criminologist. The medical facts are inconclusive.

But I'm sure you don't mind if we admit his opinion now.

Not at all, sir.

-Was Willy Santiago poisoned? -Absolutely.

But you know that the coroner's report shows no trace of poison?

-Yes, I am. -How do you justify--

There are dozens of toxins which are virtually undetectable.

The nature of the acidosis is the compelling factor here.

Could a person have a condition that could speed up acidosis?

-Is it possible? -It's possible.

What might some of those conditions be?

A coronary disorder would make it more rapid.

If I had a coronary condition and someone stuffed a rag in my mouth...

...would I still burn sugar after the rag was taken out?

If it was very serious.

Could such a condition have such mild initial symptoms...

...that a routine examination might not reveal them?

-There would still be symptoms. -What kind?

Chest pains? Shortness of breath? Fatigue?

Of course.

-Is this your signature? -Yes, it is.

This is an order for Santiago to be put on restricted duty.

Would you read your remarks?

"Patient complains of chest pains, shortness of breath, and fatigue."

"Restricted from running distances over five miles."

Couldn't it have been a heart condition, not a poison...

...that caused the rapid chemical reaction?

-No. -It's not possible?

No. I examined Santiago thoroughly and gave him a clean bill of health.

So it had to be poison. If you give a man a clean bill of health,

and he later dies, you'd be in trouble, right?

-Object! Move to strike! -Sustained.

I've no more questions, your honor.

You've been a doctor for 17 years. You are Chief of Internal Medicine

at a hospital which has served 5,426 people.

In your professional opinion, was Santiago poisoned?

We ask that the doctor's testimony be stricken from the record.

-The court should disregard it. -The objection's overruled.

We strenuously object, and ask to confer with you

before you rule on this objection.

-The objection has been overruled. -Move to reconsider.

The witness is an expert, and the court will hear his opinion!

In your expert professional opinion, was Willy Santiago poisoned?

-Yes. -Thank you, sir. No more questions.

You may step down.

While we reserve the right to call further witnesses, government rests.

We'll recess until Monday, when the defense will call its first witness.

"I strenuously object." Is that how it works?

"Overruled!" "No, I strenuously object!"

-Oh, then I'll reconsider! -I got it on the record.

You object once, so we can say he's not a criminologist.

If you keep after it, it looks like a bunch of fancy lawyer tricks.

It's the difference between paper law and trial law!

-The judge called him an expert! -Sam, she made a mistake.

I'll go call my wife. I'll see you tonight.

-Why do you hate them? -They beat up a weakling.

The rest is just coffeehouse crap. They tortured a weaker kid!

They killed him, because he couldn't run very fast!

-Everybody take the night off. -I'm sorry...

We've been working 20 hours a day. Go see your wife and daughter.

Jo, go and do... whatever you do when you're not here.

It's Saturday tomorrow? We start at ten.

Why do you like them so much?

'Cause they stand on a wall and say: "Nothing's gonna hurt you tonight."

Don't worry about the doctor. This trial starts Monday.

This scene coming up is, again, to add more of the sexual tension...

...we have between these characters.

But, like I say, I love the fact that we never made good on it.

We just kind of let this undercurrent play throughout the film.

No, I'm just watching the ball game. Come on in.

How would you feel if I took you to dinner tonight?

Is this a date?

It sounded like you were asking me out on a date.

-I wasn't. -That's what it sounded like.

Do you like seafood? I know a good seafood place.

We put this scene in this setting...

...because when we were shooting, during the film in DC...

...I took the entire cast and crew to a place called The Dancing Crab...

...and we watched a Monday Night Football game...

...and we ate these Eastern crabs, which they serve on this paper...

...with these mallets and you break the crabs open.

So that gave birth to the setting for this scene.

Why are you always giving me your resume?

-I want you to think I'm good. -I do.

No, you don't.

You're an exceptional lawyer. The court members respond to you.

You'll convince them. Dawson and Downey will owe you their lives.

Jo...

You've got to prepare for losing. Ross's statement was all true.

Even if it mattered to the court, I can't prove they were ordered.

All we have is the testimony of two people accused of murder.

-We'll find Markinson. -We're gonna lose, huge.

Corporal Barnes, Windward Barracks, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Noah Wyle is wonderful in this scene.

He's got a couple of moves...

...that are just so subtle and so real.

-Have you ever received a Code Red? -Yes I dropped my weapon.

It was over 100 degrees. My palms were sweaty and I hadn't used resin.

-What happened? -They threw a blanket over me.

They punched me on the arms and poured glue on my hands.

And it worked. I've never dropped my weapon since.

-Was Private Santiago ever late? -Yes, sir.

-Was his barracks ever disorderly? -Yes, sir.

-Did he fall back on runs? -All the time.

Did he ever receive a Code Red before September 6th?

No, sir.

-Never? -No, sir.

You got a Code Red just for sweating. Why not Santiago?

—Dawson wouldn't allow it, sir. -Dawson wouldn't allow it.

The guys talked tough, but they were too afraid of Dawson.

-Objection. Speculation. -Did you want to punish Santiago?

-Why didn't you? -Dawson would have kicked my butt.

Captain Ross will ask you some questions.

Corporal Barnes, this is the Marine Recruit Outline. Do you know it?

Have you read it? Good. Look up "Code Reds", please.

—Sir? -Just find the page with Code Reds.

"Code Red" is just a term we use down at Gitmo. I don't know...

Oh. We're in luck, then!

"Standard Operating Procedure. RSC, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba."

-Can we find "Code Red" in there? -No, sir.

I'm a Marine. Is there no book, no set of orders or regulations

telling me that one of my duties is to perform Code Reds?

No book, sir.

No further questions.

This little tricky move here...

...I think, was an idea that Tom had in rehearsal.

One of the great things about a good actor...

...who's committed to his part, is he starts thinking like the character.

This is a wonderful move this lawyer would've made...

...to just take this book out of the prosecutor's hands...

...and use it against him.

-I guess I just followed the crowd. -No more questions.

Corporal Barnes, you may step down.

We do our final Kendrick review tonight. I want to slam-dunk him.

-Hey, Luther. -Admiral! How's the big case?

-Nose to the grindstone. -No flies on you.

Rolling stone gathers no moss

Well, it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings.

-You can say that again. -Not 'till the fat lady sings.

I walked into that one.

That was a nice light cue that Bob Richardson came up with.

Just when the light shines on Markinson...

...Kaffee becomes aware.

And the lives of two Marines are in your hands.

I can't do anything about that, so all I can do is help you.

-What do you know? -I know everything.

-Was it a Code Red? -Yes.

Did Kendrick give the order? Did you witness it? Did you?

This sequence seems very simple and seamless.

This scene took us four different days in four different locations to shoot.

We had so many technical problems making this work.

This part is in Los Angeles.

The earlier part you see in the scene was shot in DC.

The car that was pulling the picture car broke down.

The sound broke down.

We had lighting problems. It was a nightmare.

When you watch it on film, it looks like a simple, easy scene...

...that's put together in a very kind of seamless way.

And I don't want immunity.

I'm not proud of what I have done, nor of what I am doing.

-Where is he? -The Downtown Lodge.

-I want him guarded. -That's a good idea.

He also said-- Clearance code?

I don't have clearance, do you?

I need to secure a witness.

He also said Jessep's lying about the transportation.

Jessep said first flight is 6:00 am.

Markinson says there was one seven hours earlier.

That was impressive. Did you hear that?

Isn't there a record of flights?

You need the Tower Chief's log.

-We're gonna win. -Jo, we don't know anything yet.

You take care of Downey, I'll talk to Ross.

Hi, Danny.

Nice work today. The redirect on Barnes.

I have Markinson.

Where is he?

In a motel room in Northeast with six marshals outside his door.

The transfer order is phony. And Jessep lied about the first flight.

We're checking it.

-Can I get you something? -A beer, please.

This is a big plot difference from the play.

In the play, Markinson just sends him a cryptic note...

...and kind of tells them to look for this log book.

In the movie, we actually had Markinson contact Kaffee...

...and tell him exactly what was going on.

And you'll see as it develops in the course of the rest of the film...

...there will be no reason for why the character, as you'll see later on...

...commits suicide, and then ultimately...

...would not tell them what was really going on.

The whole idea of killing yourself...

...is if you'd go to the lengths of doing that...

...you would then let people know exactly how this cover-up took place.

But in the play it was left to Kaffee to figure out what the cover-up was...

...and it didn't really make sense.

But in the movie, we filled a lot of holes and clarified that.

I've been so advised.

You got bullied into that courtroom.

By everyone. By Dawson. By Galloway.

Shit, I practically dared you.

And you were bullied by the memory of a dead lawyer.

You're a lousy fucking softball player, Jack!

I remember when we shot this, Tom said, "How should I say this line?"

"'You're a lousy fucking softball player.' How should I say it?"

He said, "How should it sound?"

We rolled the camera, I'd say it off camera and he'd repeat it.

That was one of the few times he copied...

...something that I told him to do.

On all three reports you put a rating of below average.

Yes. Private Santiago was below average.

I won't trample on the man's grave.

We appreciate that, but you're under oath and we need to hear the truth.

I'm aware of my oath.

These are the last reports you signed for Corporal Dawson.

He received exceptional marks...

...but recently on June 9th he received a rating of below average.

I'd like to discuss this report.

That would be fine.

Dawson's ranking after infantry was perfect.

Records say half the class was promoted.

This scene is so wonderfully written...

...and wonderfully performed by these two great actors.

It really shows too, again like I said...

...two really smart people going at each other in a chess match.

And the superior intellect, which is Kaffee...

...is able to get under Kendrick's skin.

Yes, I do.

Did you report Private Bell?

I have two books, the Marine Code of Conduct and the King James Bible.

The only authorities I am aware of are Colonel Jessep...

...and the Lord our God.

I can have the record reflect that you do not acknowledge this court.

-Objection, argumentative. -Sustained.

Watch yourself, counsellor.

Did you report Private Bell to your superiors?

I thought highly of Bell...

...and didn't want to see him formally charged.

You preferred it be handled within the unit?

Yes, I most certainly did.

Do you know what a Code Red is?

Yes, I do.

-Have you ever ordered one? -No, I have not.

Did you order Dawson and others to see that Bell received...

...no food or drink, except water...

...for a period of seven days?

That's a distortion of the truth.

Bell was on barracks restriction.

He was given water and vitamins...

...and I can assure you, at no time...

...was his health in danger.

I'm sure it was lovely for Bell.

But you ordered the barracks restriction, right?

You ordered the denial of food?

Yes, I did.

Would this from of discipline be considered a Code Red?

No.

If I called the other 478 marines at Guantanamo, would they say it was?

The witness can't testify as to what...

...478 other men would say.

We object to this questioning as argumentative...

...and irrelevant badgering of the witness.

The objection is sustained, Lieutenant Kaffee.

I remind you that you're questioning an officer with an impeccable record.

Thank you, your honor.

Was Dawson rated low on the last report...

...because he'd been sneaking food to Bell?

-Object. -Not so fast.

Lieutenant?

Corporal Dawson was given a below average rating...

...because he had committed a crime.

Crime? What crime did he commit?

Lieutenant Kendrick?

Dawson brought a hungry guy some food.

What crime did he commit?

He disobeyed an order.

Because he exercised his values...

...about the welfare of a marine...

...that conflicted with your orders...

...he was punished?

Corporal Dawson disobeyed an order.

It wasn't a real order, was it?

After all, it's peace time.

He wasn't securing a hill, or advancing on a beach.

Surely a marine of Dawson's intelligence...

...can determine which are important orders...

...and which orders might be morally questionable?

Lieutenant Kendrick? Can he?

Can Dawson determine which orders he's going to follow?

No, he cannot.

A lesson he learned after Bell?

I would think so.

You know so, don't you?

-Object! -Sustained.

Lieutenant Kendrick, one final question.

If you ordered Dawson to give Santiago a Code Red--

I ordered those men--!

Is it reasonable to believe...

-...he would disobey you again? -Don't answer that!

You don't have to. I'm through.

Did you order Corporal Dawson and Private Downey...

...to give Santiago a Code Red?

Lieutenant Kendrick?

-No, I did not. -Thank you.

What's the word?

I got the log from that night.

Jessep's telling the truth. 6:00 am. flight was the first plane out.

Let me see this.

And you'll see in this scene...

...the reason why Markinson is able to give...

...all this information to Kaffee about the fact that the log books...

...could've been doctored, and that this cover-up ensued...

...is because he knows he won't be around much longer.

This was something we didn't have in the play, but we put in the movie.

Then why isn't it in the log?

-Jessep. -He fixed the logbook?

I can prove that a plane landed.

I'll get the log from Andrews.

-You won't find anything. -He can make a flight disappear?

Jessep is about to join the NSC.

He knows how to sidestep land mines.

-He can't sidestep you. -You still want me to witness?

Thursday morning, 10:00.

Someone must know about the flight. Ground crew, someone?

This isn't TWA.

Do you know how many planes take off and land every day?

-No one will remember it. -Well, how do you know--

Forget the flight. Forget the flight.

Markinson will testify that the transfer was forged.

That and Downey's testimony will be enough.

Why did you go into Santiago's room that night?

To give him a Code Red.

Why did you do that?

I was ordered to give him a Code Red...

...by Lieutenant Jonathan James Kendrick.

You're gonna do fine.

Can we rejoin the platoon soon?

Absolutely.

Remember the order of the questions? And use small words.

-Just go slow. -I'm gonna go slow.

Okay. And get him off as fast as you can.

What? It's gonna be fine.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Santiago...

...l was William's executive officer.

I knew your son only by name.

Soon, the trial of the two men who killed him will be over...

...and the jury will try to offer you...

...an explanation for his death.

I've done what I can to bring the truth to light.

The truth is this:

Your son is dead because I wasn't strong enough to stop it.

Always, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Markinson...

...United States Marine Corps.

Now we overlap the sound of the gun with the thunder.

Why did you go to Santiago's room on the night of September 6th?

A Code Red was ordered by Platoon Commander Kendrick.

Thank you. Your witness.

According to the log, you were at post 39 until 16.00.

I'm sure it is. They keep that log pretty good.

How far is post 39 from barracks?

It's a ways, sir. It's a hike.

About how far by jeep?

About 10—15 minutes, sir.

-Ever had to walk it? -Yes, sir, that day.

The pick-up private... we call him that...

...also 'cause he can get the girls.

He got a flat tyre at post 39...

...so we had to jog back to barracks.

If it's 10-15 minutes by jeep...

...it must be an hour on foot, right?

We did it in 45 minutes, sir.

Notbad.

You've said your assault on Santiago...

...was ordered by Lt. Kendrick...

...in your room at 16:20, right?

Yes, sir.

You said weren't back before 16:45.

If you weren't back until 16:45...

...how could you be in your room at 16:20?

Well, sir, there was a blowout...

Did you actually hear Lt. Kendrick order a Code Red?

Hal said--

Did you actually hear the order?

-No, sir. -I'd like to request a recess.

-The witness has rights! -He has been read his rights.

The question will be repeated.

Why did you go to Santiago's room? Did Dawson tell you to?

Don't look at him!

Answer the captain's question.

Yes. I was given an order by Corporal Dawson...

...and I followed it.

This next part of the film was the most important part of the film.

The sequence coming up later...

...with Kevin Pollak and Tom Cruise...

...is the most crucial scene in the film.

People often talk about the courtroom scene with Nicholson...

...and his speech, which is wonderful and very powerful.

But this whole sequence is all about...

...Tom Cruise's character, Kaffee...

...making a final transition into becoming his own man...

...and starting to have the confidence to get out from under the shadow...

...of his famous father.

And this actually was the scene that was most important to me...

...when we were shooting it.

Because it resonated most personally for me...

...and was the reason I wanted to do the film.

She's gonna make coffee? That's nice.

Downey wasn't in his room.

He wasn't even there.

That was important information, don't you think?

Danny, it was a setback. And I'm sorry.

We fix it, and move on to Markinson.

Markinson's dead.

You really got to hand it to those marshals.

He didn't hang himself by his laces, or slash himself with a butter knife.

This guy...

...got into full dress uniform, drew a nickel-plated pistol...

...and fired a bullet into his mouth.

Since we're out of witnesses, I thought I'd drink a little.

I still think we can win.

Maybe you should drink a little.

In the morning, we'll ask for 24 hours delay.

—Why? -To subpoena Colonel Jessep.

What?

No, Jo! Your passion is compelling, but useless.

Louden Downey needed a trial lawyer today.

You chicken shit! You just want an excuse to give up.

It's over!

Why did you ask Jessep for the transfer order?

-I wanted it! -You could have got it anywhere.

You just wanted to see Jessep's reaction.

Your instinct was right. Now let's call Jessep, and end this.

What possible good would that do?

He ordered the Code Red.

He did? That's great!

And of course, you have proof?

You missed that day at Law School?

Get it from him.

We get it from him! Yes, no problem.

This was a very tough sequence for Tom to do...

...to play drunk and to play insane...

...and have the dramatic power and capture the humor of it.

I worked very closely with him on this sequence.

I acted it out for him many times.

He took from me and made it his own.

I think he's absolutely wonderful in this scene.

Kaffee can expect a career...

...teaching typewriter maintenance at a women's school!

Thank you for playing...

..."Follow the Advice of the Galactically Stupid."

I'm sorry I lost you your steak knives.

Stop cleaning up.

Sam, stop cleaning up.

—You want a drink? -Yeah.

-Is your father proud of you? -Don't do this to yourself.

I'll bet he is.

I'll bet he bores the shit out of neighbors and relatives:

"Sam's made Law Review.

He's got a big case. He's making an argument."

My father would have enjoyed seeing me graduate from law school.

He would have liked that a lot.

I wrote a paper about your father in college.

-One of the best trial lawyers. -Yes, he was.

But if I were Dawson and Downey, and had to choose you or him...

...I'd choose you any day.

You should have seen yourself thunder away at Kendrick.

-Would you put Jessep on the stand? -No.

-Do you think my father would? -With the evidence we have?

Not in a million years.

But we can't get around this:

Neither Lionel Kaffee nor Sam Weinberg are lead counsel here.

So there's really only one question: What would you do?

This is the pivotal moment in the whole film.

And just at the moment that he's coming into his own as a man...

...the plot in the film turns on this moment.

I'm gonna put Jessep on the stand!

-What do you suggest? -Use the phony transfer order.

-Our witness to that is dead. -A problem, to a lesser attorney!

Last night he was swimming in Jack Daniels, today he's Superman!

I'm getting my second wind. Sit down, both of you.

Jessep told Kendrick to order a Code Red.

For us to win, Jessep has to say he gave the order.

-And you can get him to say that? -I think he wants to say it!

I think he's pissed off that he has to hide.

He made a decision, and that's it!

He eats breakfast 300 yards from...

...the 4,000 Cubans trained to kill him.

That was an idea that Tom had, to try to imitate Jessep.

We were all running around the set doing Jack Nicholson impersonations.

Tom figured, "Well, I'll try my hand at it."

And he incorporated it in that moment.

I need my bat. I think better with it. Where's my bat?

-I put it in the closet. -You put it in the closet?

I was tripping on it.

Don't ever put that bat in the closet.

Essentially, at this point in the movie...

...Kaffee's character arc and Tom's character arc is finished.

I mean, he has come to grips with who he is...

...and who he is in relationship to his father.

Now we see the last part of this film play out as...

..."Now how is he gonna go about winning this case?

How will he defeat Jessep?"

So everything from here on becomes...

...the big chase scene that we would have in other kinds of movies.

In an action picture. We have this chase here for...

...the prize, which is to defeat Jessep and win the case.

I need you to do something.

What's going on?

When he looks in the closet and notices his clothes lined up...

...is the thing I was talking about earlier.

Something we didn't have in the play, that we used in the movie...

...was his realization that Santiago...

...couldn't have been set to leave Cuba...

...because his clothes weren't packed.

We find out later he also had not made any phone calls.

This is a ploy that you see Kaffee will use against Jessep.

This did not exist in the play.

How are you feeling?

I think Jessep will have his hands full.

Listen, Danny, when you're out there today,

if you feel like he's not going to say it,

don't go for it. You could get into trouble.

I'm with Internal Affairs. I know.

You're not suggesting that I back off a material witness?

If you can't get him... yeah.

All rise!

-Where's Sam? -On his way.

-Where is he? -Don't worry.

Lieutenant! Call your witness.

Defense calls Colonel Nathan Jessep.

Raise your right hand, please.

Will you tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

-Yes. -Have a seat please, sir.

State your name, rank and current billet.

Colonel Jessep, Commanding Officer, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

He's not here.

When you learned of Santiago's letter,

you had a meeting with your senior officers, correct?

Platoon Commander Kendrick, and Lt. Colonel Markinson.

And Markinson is now dead, is that right?

—What is the counsellor implying? -Just that Markinson is not alive.

The colonel doesn't need to confirm that.

He may not be aware that Markinson took his own life two days ago.

The witness, the court and now the jury are aware.

We thank you. Move on, Lieutenant.

You gave Kendrick an order, right?

This little ploy here, where Sam Weinberg comes with the two airmen...

...was something also that was not in the play that we put in the film.

You'll see how it comes into play later as a tremendous bluff...

...that Kaffee does to get Jessep to open up...

...and admit that he ordered the Code Red.

This is the order that you and Markinson signed

for Santiago to fly out at six the next morning.

-Was that the first flight? -Yes, it was.

You flew here today, didn't you?

-You're wearing your dress uniform. -As are you.

—Did you wear it on the plane? -Is this relevant?

I'm asking the court for a little latitude.

A very little latitude.

-I wore utilities on the plane. -You brought the uniform?

Toothbrush, shaving kit, underwear? Is his underwear a state secret?

You'd better get somewhere fast with this, Lieutenant!

I brought a change of clothes and some personal items.

After Dawson and Downey's arrest, Santiago's room was inventoried.

Four pairs of camouflage pants, three khaki shirts, boots.

-Four pairs of socks... -Is there any question coming?

-Lieutenant, state your question. -Why hadn't Santiago packed?

We'll get back to that. This is a record of phone calls from the base.

You've recently made three calls. Do you recognize the numbers?

I called Colonel Fitzhughes to tell him I'd be in town.

The second was to arrange a meeting with Congressman Richman.

-And the third was to my sister. -Why did you call her?

-I invited her to dinner tonight. -Your honor.

I'll put a stop to this.

These are the records for September 6th.

And these are the 14 letters Santiago wrote in nine months,

begging for a transfer.

But when he finally got it,

how many people did he call? Zero! Nobody.

Not one call to his parents or a friend, saying he was coming.

He was asleep at midnight, and you say he had a flight in six hours.

Yet everything he owned was in his closet or his footlocker.

For one day, you packed and made three calls.

Santiago was leaving for the rest of his life.

And he hadn't called a soul, or packed a thing.

Can you explain that?

There was no transfer order, was there?

Objection! Lt. Kaffee is trying to smear a high-ranking officer

hoping to suggest impropriety and win points.

I recommend that he be reprimanded, and the witness be excused.

-Overruled. The objection is noted. -Colonel?

-Is this funny, sir? -No, it's tragic.

-Do you have an answer? -Absolutely. I don't have a clue.

Maybe he was an early riser. Maybe he didn't have any friends.

I'm an educated man, but I don't know the travel habits of Santiago.

What I do know is that he was set to leave at 0600.

Are these really the questions I was called here to answer?

I hope you have something more.

These two Marines are on trial for their lives.

Please tell me their lawyer hasn't pinned their hopes to a phone bill.

Do you have any other questions for me, counsellor?

Lieutenant Kaffee?

This is the other pivotal moment.

He comes up with a brilliant piece of lawyering, very easily batted away.

So the question is, "Will he go through with this bluff...

...with these two airmen...

...or is he gonna told at this point?"

And again, he has to face his own feelings...

...about who he is.

-I beg your pardon? -I'm not through. Sit down.

"Colonel."

He should address me as "Colonel" or "sir".

—Call him "Colonel" or "sir". -What kind of unit is this?

And the witness will address me as "judge" or "Your Honor".

Take your seat... Colonel.

What shall we discuss? My favorite color?

Colonel, the 6.00 am. flight was the first one?

There wasn't one seven hours earlier to Andrews?

Haven't we covered this?

These are the flight logs for Guantanamo Bay and Andrews.

There's no flight at 11.00 pm, and no arrival at 2.00 am.

I'd like to admit them as evidence.

-But the flight never existed! -We believe it did, sir.

We call airmen O'Malley and Rodriguez of Andrews Air Base.

-They're not on the list. -They are rebuttal witnesses.

-I'II allow the witnesses. -This is ridiculous!

Colonel, a moment ago--

-Check the logs, for Christ's sake! -We'll get to that in a minute.

You said, you told Kendrick to say that Santiago wasn't to be touched.

-He was clear on what you wanted? -Crystal.

-Can he have ignored the order? -Ignored the order?

-Or forgot it? -No.

Could he have thought, "The old man is wrong"?

When Lt. Kendrick talked to the men, any chance they ignored him?

Ever been in the infantry, son?

Ever served in a forward area?

Ever put your life in another man's hands, and his in yours?

We follow orders, son. Otherwise people die.

It's that simple. Are we clear?

-Are we clear? -Crystal.

One last question, before I call airmen O'Malley and Rodriguez.

If you ordered that Santiago wasn't to be touched,

and your orders are always followed,

then why was Santiago in danger?

Why would it be necessary to transfer him off the base?

He was a substandard Marine. He was being transferred...

You said he was transferred because he was in danger.

I said, "grave danger?" and you said... we can read it...

-I know what I said! -Then why the two orders?

-Men can do things on their own. -But your men never did.

Your men obey orders. So Santiago wasn't in danger, right?

You snotty little bastard.

-I request a recess. -We'll wait for an answer.

The court will wait for an answer.

If Lt. Kendrick gave an order that Santiago wasn't to be touched,

why did he have to be transferred?

Kendrick ordered a Code Red, because you told him to!

And when it went bad, you signed a phony transfer and fixed the logs!

This conundrum was set up...

...by Andy Scheinman, one of the producers, Aaron Sorkin and myself.

This is something that really puts Jessep into a corner.

Now we're gonna see one of the great monologs...

...in the film, and one of the great monologs, in my opinion...

...in Jack's repertoire.

And the interesting thing about this monolog and that is...

...he performed this a minimum of 30, 40, 50 times.

I can't remember how many, but so many.

When we did the angles on the other actors...

...and we did those first...

...Jack always performed it full out. And I thought:

"I can't believe he's doing this.

Why wouldn't he save it for when we came around to his close-up?"

He said to me, "Rob, you don't understand something.

I'm an actor and I love to act."

He was saying he doesn't get a chance to say great words like this...

...and he wanted to take advantage of that and he enjoyed doing it.

The performance you are seeing here was a good 40, 50 times, like I said.

And every single time it was terrific.

...but questions the way I do it. Better just to thank me.

Or pick up a gun and stand a post.

But I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!

-Did you order the Code Red? -You're goddamn right I did!

I suggest the jury be dismissed, and we move to an article 39a session.

-The witness has rights. -Captain Ross?

Jack?

The members of the court will retire.

What the hell is this? I did my job, I'd do it again.

-I'm going back to my base. -You're not going anywhere.

MP's, guard the colonel!

-Captain Ross. -What the hell is this?

You've the right to remain silent.

I'm being charged with a crime?

I'm being charged with a crime?

This is funny, that's what this is!

I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss in your skull!

Colonel Jessep, do you understand your rights?

You fucking people have no idea how to defend a nation.

All you did was weaken a country, Kaffee!

You put peoples' lives in danger. Sweet dreams, son.

Don't call me son. I'm a lawyer, and a naval officer.

And you're under arrest, you son of a bitch!

The witness is excused.

All rise!

-Have you reached a verdict? -We have, sir.

Corporal Dawson and Private Downey.

Of the charge of murder, the members find the accused

not guilty.

On the charge of conspiracy to commit murder,

the members find the accused not guilty.

This is another case with a long lens.

You can keep racking focus...

...to the character that you want to focus in on.

I think it's an effective way of using this kind of lens.

This court-martial is adjourned.

I love that we don't have this...

...happy-go-lucky ending where everything works out perfectly...

...because the fact of the matter is...

...this is not clear-cut.

These men did actually kill somebody and they should not have done that.

Even though they were following an order given by somebody else...

...they should have exercised better judgement.

I love the fact that we have this kind of ambiguous, not totally....

In a way, I think it's very satisfying...

...but many people say not a totally happy ending.

We were supposed to fight for Willy.

Lt. Kaffee, I have to take these men for some paperwork.

Harold?

Sir?

You don't need a patch on your arm to have honor.

Ten-hut! There's an officer on deck.

Marc's score here is heroic and at the same time...

...makes this wonderful transition into something beautiful...

...in the little connection that Kaffee has with Galloway.

-Strong witnesses. -And handsome too.

—I've got to go arrest Kendrick. -Tell him I said "Hi".

Will do.

The reason we ended the film with this high-angle shot...

...and the words "The End" over the screen...

...was because I felt that this film was very...

...in a way, old-fashioned, in a good sense of the word.

In a traditional sense of the word.

This evoked a 303, 403, 503 feel to it...

...of the endings of one of the films you'd see back in those days.

So that's why we chose to put "The End" over this high-angle shot.