Daily Dialogue — September 5, 2015

Col. Jessup: You snotty little bastard.
Capt. Ross: Your honor, I’d like to ask for a recess.
Kaffee: I’d like an answer to the question, Judge.
Judge Randolph: The court will wait for an answer.
Kaffee: If Lt. Kendrick gave an order that Santiago wasn’t to be touched, then why did he have to be transferred? Colonel, Lt. Kendrick ordered the code red because that’s what you told Lt. Kendrick to do.
Capt. Ross: Object!
Kaffee: And when it went bad…
Judge Randolph: That’ll be all counselor–
Kaffee: …You cut these guys loose!
Capt. Ross: Your honor!
Kaffee: You signed a phony transfer–
Judge Randolph: I will hold you in contempt
Kaffee: –You doctored the log books–
Capt. Ross: Dammit, Kaffee!
Judge Randolph: Consider yourself in Contempt!
Kaffee: Now, I’m asking you! Colonel Jessup, did you order the Code Red?
Judge Randolph: You don’t have to answer that question!
Col. Jessup: I’ll answer the question!
[to Kaffee]
Col. Jessup: You want answers?
Kaffee: I think I’m entitled to.
Col. Jessup: You want answers?
Kaffee: I want the truth!
Col. Jessup: You can’t handle the truth!
[pauses]
Col. Jessup: Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who’s gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago’s death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you are entitled to.
Kaffee: Did you order the Code Red?
Col. Jessup: I did the job I…
Kaffee: Did you order the Code Red?
Col. Jessup: You’re Goddamn right I did!

— A Few Good Men (1992), screenplay by Aaron Sorkin based on his play

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Monologue. Today’s suggestion by tracinell.

Trivia: Jack Nicholson repeated his famous courtroom monologue as Col. Jessep off-camera several times so Rob Reiner could film the reactions of other actors from various angles. Nicholson’s memorable on-camera performance was filmed last, but according to Reiner and the other cast members, Nicholson gave it his all every take as if he was on camera.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Traci: “This monologue is the first thing I think of when people talk about creating a great nemesis. This character’s monologue turns our bad guy assumptions on its ear. Col. Jessup is a character that truly believes his actions saved lives(!); the very opposite goal/mindset of a typical nemesis. He’s unrepentant and oozes righteous conviction, making the audience temporarily question their own surety of his guilt.”