Amazon Prime Video original movie A Few Good Men was released December 9th, 1992.
#AFewGoodMen made $243.2M at the international box office.
rottentomatoes: 84%
metacritic: 62
imdb: 7.7
oscars: 4 nominations
golden globes: 4 nominations
Lt. Dan Kaffee
Lieutenant Kaffee is lead counsel in a case involving USMC hazing in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
1 nomination: 1993
“All right, let’s go. Let’s get two. Nothing to be sorry about, Sherby. Just look the ball into your glove. Shooting two. You got to trust me. You keep your eyes open your chances of catching the ball increase. Dave, you seem distraught. Sherby, does the Navy still hang people from yardarms? Sherby doesn’t think the navy uses yardarms anymore. It was $10 worth of oregano, Dave. He’s a moron. That’s not against the law. With possession of a condiment? I tried to help you out but if you ask for jail time I’ll file a motion to dismiss. I will get it and if the M.T.D. is denied I’ll file seeking to obtain an evidentiary ruling in advance and you’ll spend the next three months going blind in paper work ’cause a signalman bought a dime bag of oregano. Let’s go! Let’s get two. ‘C’ misdemeanor. 15 days restricted duty. ‘Cause you have wisdom beyond your years.” — Lieutenant Kaffee
“Sorry I’m late. Thank you, sir. What’s a fenceline? Teacher’s pet. They poisoned the rag? What do they say? Uh… the flight to Cuba– was that 0600 in the morning, sir? Hi. Daniel Kaffee. I was told to meet with, uh… Lieutenant Commander Galloway. About a briefing? I’m lead counsel. This is Sam Weinberg. Going on nine months now. Little over a year. Have I done something wrong? No offense taken in case you were wondering. One more, I get a set of steak knives. I once had my driver’s license suspended… if this goes to court. They’ll need a priest. Sure, if you feel like it. Who hasn’t? Really? I knew that one. Yeah. Right. Is that all? Got you. And Santiago is… who? Write that down. These letters don’t paint a flattering picture of Marine Corps life at Guantanamo Bay? A protracted investigation of this incident might cause embarrassment for this security council guy? 12 years.” — Lieutenant Kaffee
“I’ll get the to drop the conspiracy and conduct unbecoming, 12 years. Pretty impressive, huh? Do you have some sort of jurisdiction here that I should know about? Sure. I always forget that part. Got all of that one. Say again. Those names sound like they should mean something to me. The Cuba thing. Yes. Oh, Dawson and Downey, right. I’ve done something wrong again, haven’t I? We need the practice. It was a little funny. Why? You don’t even know me. Ordinarily, it takes someone hours to discover I’m not fit to handle a defense. Oh, come on. That was damn funny. Wow! I’m sexually aroused, Commander. Based on what?” — Lieutenant Kaffee
“The doctor’s report says Santiago died of asphyxiation brought on by acute lactic acidosis. And that the nature of the acidosis strongly suggests poison. I don’t know what any of that means but it sounds bad. I see what you’re saying. It had to be Professor Plum in the library with a candlestick. Pennsylvania Avenue. It’s the big, white house with the pillars in front. You won’t have much luck. I was assigned by division. Somebody over there thinks I’m a pretty good lawyer. I appreciate your interest and admire your enthusiasm. I think I can handle things myself.” — Lieutenant Kaffee
“Good morning. Someone hasn’t been working and playing well with others. I’m Daniel Kaffee. This is Sam Weinberg. Sit down. Is this your signature? You don’t have to call me sir. Is this your signature? And certainly not twice in one sentence. What’s a code red? What’s that mean exactly? What’s a garden variety code red? Harold, you say ‘sir’ and I turn around and look for my father. Danny, Daniel, Kaffee. Garden variety typical. What’s a basic code red? What’s that? Was the attack on Santiago a code red? Does, uh… he ever talk? The rag you stuffed in Santiago’s mouth– was there poison on it? Silver polish, turpentine, antifreeze? When, all of a sudden… did anyone see you call? Were you there when the ambulance got there? His mirror? Santiago’s letter to the N.I.S. said you fired illegally. He’s saying that the, uh… the guy, the mirror– he never made a move. Oh, Harold… you see what I’m getting at? If Santiago didn’t have anything on you then why did you give him a code red? He what?” — Lieutenant Kaffee
“Did you assault Santiago with intent to kill him? What was your intent? Train him to…? The government of the United States wants to charge you two with murder and you want me to go to the prosecutor with ‘unit, corps, God, country?’ It’s your code. We’ll be back. You guys need anything– books, papers, cigarettes, a ham sandwich? Harold, I think there’s a concept you better start warming up to. I’m the only friend you’ve got.” — Lieutenant Kaffee
“Smiling Jack Ross. You think so? Unfortunately for them I don’t do anything better than I play softball. See you when I get back from Cuba, Janelle. Will do. What are we looking at? I want 12. They called the ambulance. The rag was tested for poisoning. The autopsy, lab reports all say maybe, maybe not. What do you know about code reds? Tell me. We still playing hoops tomorrow night? I’ll talk to you when I get back.” — Lieutenant Kaffee
“Any luck getting me replaced? Commander… Commander… Joanne. Jo, if you ever speak to a client of mine again without my permission, I’ll have you disbarred. Friends? From where? You got authorization from Aunt Ginny? You got authorization from Aunt Ginny. Does Aunt Ginny have a barn? We could hold the trial there. I can sew the costumes. Maybe his uncle Goober can be the judge. And the hits just keep on coming.” — Lieutenant Kaffee
“How’s it going, Luther? You got to play ’em as they lay. Can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Well, then, you got everything. See you tomorrow, Luther. Your daughter made a sound, Sam. I’m not sure it was a word. Okay. She was pointing at a mailbox, Sam. Jack Ross came to see me today. He offered me the 12 years. I know, I know. I mean, I guess… I’ll take it. I’ll, I’ll take it. It took about 45 seconds. He barely put up a fight. You don’t believe their story, do you? You think they ought to go to jail for the rest of their lives. See you tomorrow. I don’t like the whites. Dramamine keeps you cool? I get sick because I’m afraid of crashing into a mountain. I don’t think dramamine will help. You know, Ross said the strangest thing to me right before I left. He said the platoon commander Lieutenant Jonathan Kendrick specifically told the men not to touch Santiago. I never mentioned Kendrick. I don’t even know who he is. Ah, what the hell. I’ll see you tomorrow.” — Lieutenant Kaffee
“Good call, Sam. Hold it. We got to take a boat? Nobody said anything about a boat. No, no problem. I’m just not that crazy about about boats. Nobody likes her very much. Thank you, sir. Daniel Kaffee. I’m the attorney for Dawson and Downey. This is Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway. Observing and evaluating, Lieutenant Sam Weinberg. He’ll be assisting. Colonel Markinson. Yes, sir. He passed away seven years ago, sir. Not at all, sir. Not much, sir. This is really a formality more than anything else. JAG Corps insists that we interview all the relevant witnesses. Fine, sir.” — Lieutenant Kaffee
“I understand you had a meeting with your men that afternoon. What did you guys talk about? What time was that meeting? Sam, somebody should get this to his parents. We don’t need it anymore. Lieutenant Kendrick, may I call you John? Have I done something to offend you? Sounds good. Let’s move on. I’m pacing myself. Colonel, I do have to ask you a couple of questions about September 6. You were contacted by an N.I.S. agent who said that Santiago tipped him off to an illegal fenceline shooting. Santiago was going to reveal the name in exchange for a transfer. If you feel there are any details that I’m missing you should feel free to speak up. At this point, you called Lieutenant Colonel Markinson and Lieutenant Kendrick into your office is that right? What happened then? Santiago was set to be transferred? Yeah. That’s all I have.” — Lieutenant Kaffee
Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway
“I’m requesting… Captain, I’d like to request that it be me who’s the attorney… that it be myself who’s assigned… no. I’d like to request that it be I who am assigned. I who am assigned? That’s good. That’s confidence inspiring. Good grammar there. Captain, I’d like to request that I be the attorney assigned. Hi. I’m Lieutenant Commander Galloway. I’m here to see Captain West. Thank you. Thank you, sir.”
“Captain, I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice. I’m fine, sir. Okay. Yes, sir. This past Friday, two marines a Lance Corporal Harold Dawson and a Private Louden Downey entered the room of PFC William Santiago and assaulted him. Santiago died approximately an hour later. The N.I.S agent who took Dawson and Downey’s statements maintains they were trying to prevent Santiago from naming Dawson in a fenceline shooting incident. They were scheduled to have a hearing this afternoon. Dawson and Downey are recruiting poster marines and Santiago was known to be a screw-up. It sounded like a code red. Sir, I’d like to have them moved up to Washington and assigned counsel– someone who can really look into this someone who possesses a familiarity with the inner workings of the military. In short, Captain, I’d like to suggest that I be the one who that… that it be me who is assigned to represent them… myself. Thank you, sir. I’m fine. Certainly, sir.”
“But… not me. Sir, there might be more involved. Right. Right. Okay, but I’ve got to have that report by Wednesday. Hold on. Hi. I’ll call you back. You’re the attorney division assigned? Come in, please. Have a seat. Lieutenant, how long have you been in the navy? And how long have you been out of law school? I see. No. It’s just that when I petitioned division to have counsel assigned I was hoping to be taken seriously. Have you ever been in a courtroom? No, they’ll need a lawyer. Dawson’s family’s been contacted. Downey’s closest living relative is Ginny Miller. His aunt on his mother’s side. She hasn’t been contacted yet. Shall I take care of that? One of the people you’ll be seeing down there is the barracks C.O., Colonel Nathan Jessep. I assume you’ve heard of him. These are the letters that Santiago wrote at Gitmo.”
“He wrote to the fleet commander to the commandant of the Marine Corps even his Senator. He wanted off the base. You with me? Finally, he wrote to the naval investigative service where he offered information about Corporal Dawson’s fenceline shooting in exchange for a transfer. This letter makes it look like your client had a motive to kill Santiago. The victim. Yes. Colonel Jessep… I’m sorry? You haven’t talked to a witness or looked at a piece of paper. You’ll have to go deeper than that. My job is to make sure that you do your job. I’m special counsel for Internal Affairs so my jurisdiction’s pretty much in your face. Read the letters. I’ll expect a report when you return from Cuba. You’re dismissed. Tell you’re friend not to get cute down there. The marines in Guantanamo are fanatical. About being marines.”
“I wanted to talk to you about Corporal Dawson and Private Downey. Dawson and Downey. Dawson, Downey– your clients. I was wondering why two guys have been locked up since this morning while their lawyer’s hitting a ball. That wasn’t funny. Would you be very insulted if I recommended to your supervisor that he assign different counsel? I don’t think you’re fit to handle the defense. You’re wrong. I do know you. Daniel Alistair Kaffee born June 8, 1964, at Boston Mercy Hospital. Your father’s Lionel Kaffee, former Navy judge advocate and Attorney General of the United States. Died 1985. You went to Harvard Law, then you joined the Navy probably because that’s what your father wanted. Now you’re treading water in the JAG Corps till you can get out and get a real job. If that’s the situation, fine. I won’t tell anyone. But if this case is handled in the same fast-food, slick-ass, Persian bazaar manner with which you handle everything else something will get missed, and I wouldn’t be doing my job if I allowed Dawson and Downey to spend any more time in prison than necessary because their attorney had predetermined the path of least resistance. I don’t think your clients murdered anyone.”
“There was no intent. Santiago died at 1:00 A.M. AT 3:00, the doctor wasn’t able to determine the cause of death. Two hours later, he said it was poison. I’m going to talk to your supervisor. Thank you. You know what a code red is? What a pity.”
“Hi there. Is there anyone in this command that you don’t drink or play softball with? I came to make peace. What do you say, friends? I brought Downey some comic books he asked for. The kid, Kaffee, I swear, he doesn’t know where he is. He doesn’t even know why he’s been arrested. You can call me Joanne. Or Jo. I had authorization. Downey’s closest living relative Ginny Miller, his aunt on his mother’s side. I gave her a call like you asked. Very nice woman. We spoke for about an hour. Perfectly within my province. I’m going to Cuba with you tomorrow. Jesus Christ, Kaffee. You’re in the Navy, for crying out loud. JAG Corps can be demanding that way.”
“Lieutenant Kendrick do you think Santiago was murdered? Are you planning on doing any investigating or are you just going to take the guided tour?”
Lt. Sam Weinberg
“Morning, Captain. Sir, I think she’s getting ready to say her first word. She just looks like she has something to say. Oh. A big wall separating good guys from bad guys. No. Sir, I got papers on my desk a mile high. Doing what? Kaffee will have this done in four days. In other words I have no responsibilities here whatsoever. My kind of case.
“I have no responsibilities here whatsoever. Commander, Lieutenant Kaffee is generally considered the best litigator in our office. He’s successfully plea bargained 44 cases in nine months. Danny. He’s been in the papers lately. He’s expected to be appointed Director of Operations of National Security Council. That’s Guantanamo Bay. He’s a little preoccupied. Team’s playing Bethesda Medical next week. About what?”
“Beautiful. On August 2nd, did you fire a shot across the fenceline into Cuba? Why? Every American sentry post has a Cuban counterpart. They’re called mirrors. He claims his mirror was about to fire. What’s the code? I beg your pardon? It’s your code.”
“When Sally gets back you’re my witness the baby spoke. My daughter said a word. It was definitely a word. You heard her. The girl sat here, pointed, and said pa. She said pa. That’s right. Pointing as if to say, ‘pa, look, a mailbox.’ That’s what you wanted, right? So… Danny, take the 12 years. It’s a gift. I believe every word of their story and I think they ought to go to jail for the rest of their lives. Okay. Don’t forget to wear the whites. Very hot down there. Nobody likes the whites, but we’re going to Cuba. You got dramamine? No, dramamine keeps you from throwing up. You get sick when you fly. I got some oregano. I hear that works pretty good. So?”
“That’s 4:00. Right. How do you feel about that theory?”
Colonel Jessep
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
1 nomination: 1993
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
1 nomination: 1993
“‘About an illegal fenceline shooting that occurred the night of August 2.’ Who the fuck is PFC William T. Santiago? Yeah. Apparently, he’s not very happy here at Shangri-la because he’s written letters to everybody but Santa Claus asking for a transfer. And now he’s telling tales about a fenceline shooting. Matthew? You’re appalled. This kid broke the chain of command and ratted on a member of his unit to say nothing of the fact that he is a U.S. Marine and it would appear he can’t run from here to there without collapsing from heat exhaustion. What the fuck is going on in Bravo Company, Matthew? And I’m yours, Matthew. I want to know what we’re going to do about this. He’s that bad, huh? Hmm… transfer Santiago. Yes. I’m sure you’re right. I’m sure that’s the right thing to do. Wait… wait, I’ve got a better idea. Let’s transfer the whole squad off the base. Let’s… on second thought, Windward… let’s transfer the whole Winward division off the base. John, go out there and get those boys down off the fence. They’re packing their bags. Tom! Get me the president on the phone. We’re surrendering our position in Cuba. Wait a minute. Don’t get the president just yet. Maybe we should consider this for a second. Dismissed, Tom. Maybe– and I’m just spitballing here– maybe we have a responsibility as officers to train Santiago. Maybe we as officers have a responsibility to this country to see that the men and women charged with its security are trained professionals. Yes, I’m certain that I’ve read that somewhere once and now I’m thinking, Colonel Markinson that your suggestion of transferring Santiago while expeditious and certainly painless might not be in a manner of speaking, the American way. Santiago stays where he is. We’re going to train the lad. John, you’re in charge. Santiago doesn’t make 4-6-4-6 on his next proficiency and conduct report and I’m going to blame you, and I’m going to kill you. Matthew, I think I will have that word in private with you now. John, that’s all. Why don’t we meet at the ‘O’ club and have lunch and talk about the training of young William. Dismissed.”
“Matthew, sit down, please. What do you think of Kendrick? I think he’s pretty much of a weasel but he’s an awfully good officer. In the end, we see eye to eye on the best way to run a Marine Corps unit. We’re in the business of saving lives, Matthew. That is a responsibility that we have to take pretty seriously and I believe that taking a marine who is not quite up to the job and shipping him off to another assignment puts lives in danger. Sit down, Matthew. We go back a while. We went to the academy together. We were commissioned together. We did our tours in Vietnam together but I’ve been promoted up through the chain with greater speed and success than you have. Now, if that’s a source of tension or embarrassment for you I don’t give a shit. We’re in the business of saving lives Lieutenant Colonel Markinson. Don’t ever question my orders in front of another officer.”
“Nathan Jessep. Come on in. This is my X.O., Colonel Markinson and platoon leader, Lieutenant Kendrick. I’ve asked them to join us. Sit down, please. Lionel Kaffee? Well, what do you know. John, this man’s dad once made a lot of enemies down in your neck of the woods. Jefferson v. Madison County school district. Folks down there said a little black girl couldn’t go to an all white school. Lionel Kaffee said, well, we’ll just see about that. How the hell is your dad, Danny? Don’t I feel like the fucking asshole. Well, what can we do for you, Danny? John will take you out and show you what you want to see. After that, we can hook up for lunch. How does that sound?”
“They were running around for three hours looking for anything white they could wave in the air. Some of these people surrendered to a crew from CNN. Well, walk softly and carry an armored tank division, I always say. That was delicious. Thank you. Shoot. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Yes. We agreed that, for his own safety Santiago should be transferred off the base. On the first available flight to the states– 0600 the next morning. Five hours too late, as it turned out.”
PFC Santiago
“No! No! No!”
“Dear sir, my name is PFC William T. Santiago. I’m stationed at marine barracks rifle security company Windward, Second Platoon Bravo. I’m writing to inform you of my problems with my unit here in Cuba, and to ask for your help. I’ve fallen out on runs before for several reasons such as feeling dizzy or nauseated, but on May 18 I’d fallen back about 20 or 30 yards going down a rocky, unstable hill. My sergeant grabbed me and pushed me down the hill. The last thing I remembered is hitting the deck. I was brought to the hospital and told I had heat exhaustion. I ask you to help me. Please sir, I just need to be transferred out of R.S.C. Sincerely, PFC William T. Santiago. U.S. Marine Corps. In exchange for my transfer off the base I’m willing to provide you with information…”
Lt. Kendrick
“Private Santiago is a member of second platoon bravo, sir. That won’t be necessary. I can handle this situation, sir. Sir, my methods… yes, sir. I’d be delighted to hear your suggestions, sir. Yes, sir.”
“I told the men that we had an informer among us and despite any desire they might have to seek retribution private Santiago was not to be harmed. 1600. No, you may not. No. I like you Navy boys. Every time we got to fight you fellas always give us a ride. Commander, I believe in God, and his son, Jesus Christ so I can say this– private Santiago is dead, and that is a tragedy but he is dead because he had no code. He is dead because he had no honor and God was watching.”
Lt. Col. Markinson
“I’m… appalled, sir. Perhaps we should hold this discussion in private. Like you handled Curtis Bell? Don’t interrupt! I’m still your superior officer. Santiago should be transferred immediately. Word of this letter will get out. He’ll get his ass whipped. I think that’s a mistake, Colonel. I don’t think my opinion…”
“Lieutenant Kaffee. I had the pleasure of meeting your father once. He spoke at my high school.”
Dawson and Downing
“Yes, sir. Hal, this is Washington, D.C.? Yes, sir.”
“Sir, Lance Corporal Harold W. Dawson, sir! Rifle security company Windward second platoon bravo. Sir, yes, sir! Sir, PFC Louden Downey, sir! Yes, sir. Sir, yes, sir. A disciplinary engagement. A marine falls out of line, his unit gets him back on track. Sir?”
“A marine refuses to bathe on a regular basis. The men in his squad give him a G.I. shower. Scrub brushes, brillo pads, steel wool… yes, sir. Sir, PFC Downey will answer any direct questions you ask him. No, sir. No, sir. We were just going to shave his head, sir. We saw blood dripping down his mouth. We pulled the tape off and there was blood all down his face. That’s when Lance Corporal Dawson called the ambulance. No, sir. Yes, sir. That’s when we were arrested.”
“Yes, sir. My mirror engaged. He broke the chain of command, sir. He went outside of his unit. If he had a problem, he should have spoken to me then his sergeant, then company commander… no, sir. To train him, sir. Train him to think of his unit before himself to respect the code. Unit, Corps, God, country. Unit, Corps, God, Country… sir. That’s our code sir. Sir, no, thank you, sir. Sir?”
Captain Jack Ross
“Dan Kaffee. Welcome to the big time. Let’s hope for Dawson and Downey’s sake you practice law better than you play softball. They plead guilty. We drop the conspiracy and conduct unbecoming. 20 years– they’re home in half that time. Can’t do it. I don’t care if they called the Avon Lady. They killed a marine. Chief of Internal Medicine at the Guantanamo Bay Naval hospital says he’s sure. Oh, man. We off the record? I’m going to give you the 12 years. Before you go getting yourself into trouble tomorrow I think you should know the platoon commander, Lieutenant Jonathan Kendrick held a meeting with the men and specifically told them not to touch Santiago. Do we have a deal?”
Washington D.C.
“Another day, another dollar, Captain. What goes around, comes around. At least I got my health. Not if I see you first.”
USMC
“Forward March! Hut!”
“Go right in, Commander. Jo, come on in. Captain, this is Lieutenant Commander Galloway. You know Commander Lawrence. Would you like to sit down? Have a seat. I understand we had some trouble lover the weekend down in Cuba? What’s the problem? Christ. Commander Galloway why don’t you get a cup of coffee? I’d like you to leave so we can talk about you.”
“I thought this code red shit wasn’t going on anymore. Who knows what the hell goes on down at Gitmo? Well, we better find out before the rest of the world does. What about this, uh… Commander Galloway? She’s been working a desk at internal affairs for a little over a year. Before that? She disposed of three cases in two years. Who’s she handling, the Rosenbergs? She’s not cut out for litigation. She’s a hell of an investigator. She can crawl up a lawyer’s ass with the best of them… but when it comes to… I know. All passion, no street smarts. Bring her back in. Jo. Commander, we’ll have the defendants moved up here in the morning. We’ll have division assign them counsel. From what I understand, you’re too valuable in your present assignment to be wasted in a five-minute plea bargain and a week’s worth of paperwork. Don’t worry. Division will assign the right man.”
“Sorry. Sorry. Kaffee. Kaffee! We were supposed to meet 15 minutes ago to talk about the McDermott case. We either get it done now or I’ll hang your boy from a fucking yardarm! I don’t think so. I’m going to charge him with possession. You plead guilty I’ll recommend 30 days in the brig with loss of rank and pay. Your client thought it was marijuana. Kaffee, I got people to answer to. I’m going to charge him. You won’t get it. ‘B’ misdemeanor. 20 days in the brig. I don’t know why I’m agreeing.”
“Morning. Morning, Captain. How’s the baby, Sam? How can you tell? I know you don’t have a good excuse so I won’t force you to come up with a bad one. This first one’s for you. Seems you’re moving up in the world. You’ve been requested by division. Oh. Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A marine corporal named Dawson illegally fires a round from his weapon over the fenceline and into Cuban territory. Sam? PFC William Santiago threatens to rat on Dawson to naval investigative service. Dawson and another member of his squad PFC Louden Downey, go into Santiago’s room tie him up, stuff a rag down his throat and an hour later, Santiago’s dead. Physician said the rag was treated with a toxin. Not according to them. Not much. They’re being flown up here tomorrow and, Wednesday at 0600, you’ll catch a transport down to Cuba for the day to find out what you can. Meantime, go and see Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway with internal affairs. Any questions?”
“Seems important to division that this one be handled by the book so I’m assigning co-counsel. Any volunteers? Work with Kaffee on this. Doing various administrative… things. Backup, whatever. Right.”
“Sir. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. All the paper work is in order. Step over there. All right, let’s move. Good morning, sir. Say hi to Castro for me.”
“Lieutenants Kaffee and Weinberg Commander Galloway I’m Corporal Barnes. I’m to escort you to the Windward side of the base. I got some camouflage jackets in the jeep. I suggest you both put them on. We’ll be riding pretty close to the fenceline. The Cubans see an officer wearing white they think it might be someone they want to take a shot at.”
“We’ll just hop on the ferry. We’ll be there in no time. Yes, sir. Is there a problem, sir? Yes, sir. My pleasure, sir.”
