A Few Good Men (1992)

Last updated:
August 2, 2025

Aaron Sorkin’s A Few Good Men (1992), directed by Rob Reiner, is a powerful courtroom drama that delves into military ethics, duty, and justice. It’s best known for its crackling dialogue, intense performances, and one of the most iconic courtroom confrontations in cinema history.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Crime at Guantanamo Bay

The film begins with the mysterious death of Private First Class William Santiago, a U.S. Marine stationed at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. It is revealed that Santiago died after a disciplinary action known as a “Code Red”—an unofficial, illegal punishment carried out by fellow Marines—was ordered against him. Two Marines, Lance Corporal Harold Dawson and Private First Class Louden Downey, are arrested and charged with Santiago’s murder.

Enter Lt. Daniel Kaffee

Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), a talented but laid-back Navy lawyer known for plea bargains, is assigned to defend Dawson and Downey. His co-counsel, Lieutenant Commander JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore), believes the accused are not guilty of murder but were following orders given by a superior. Kaffee is skeptical but gradually becomes more committed to uncovering the truth.

Investigating the Chain of Command

As the legal team digs deeper, they suspect that the order to give Santiago the Code Red may have come from high up in the chain of command, possibly from Colonel Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson), the commanding officer of the base. Jessup is a hardline Marine who believes in absolute discipline and duty.

Kaffee and his team travel to Cuba to interview Jessup and other officers. Jessup insists that Santiago was being transferred off the base for his safety, but inconsistencies in the timeline raise suspicions. The tension builds as Kaffee begins to suspect that Jessup ordered the Code Red and then covered it up.

The Courtroom Showdown

The trial becomes a battle not only of law but of wills. Kaffee is pressured by both the prosecution and his own doubts. The defense hinges on proving that Dawson and Downey were following orders and believed they were acting within the bounds of military protocol. The courtroom scenes are tight, tense, and masterfully written by Sorkin.

Movie Ending

In the film’s electrifying climax, Kaffee calls Colonel Jessup to the witness stand. What follows is one of cinema’s most famous exchanges. After a relentless series of questions, Kaffee presses Jessup:

Kaffee: “I want the truth!”
Jessup: “You can’t handle the truth!”

This dramatic moment becomes the turning point of the trial. Jessup, in a moment of arrogance and fury, admits that he ordered the Code Red, believing it was necessary to maintain discipline and protect the country. His confession seals his fate: he is immediately arrested.

As a result, Dawson and Downey are acquitted of murder and conspiracy but are found guilty of “conduct unbecoming a United States Marine.” The judge explains that while they were following orders, they should have known that what they did was wrong. They are dishonorably discharged.

In the final scene, Dawson salutes Kaffee, a sign of respect and gratitude. Kaffee, who has evolved from a cynical lawyer into a passionate advocate for justice, acknowledges the weight of responsibility that comes with defending the truth.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, A Few Good Men does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the story concludes definitively.

Type of Movie

A Few Good Men is a courtroom drama, deeply rooted in military legal procedures, and carries strong elements of thriller and psychological drama. It’s a dialogue-driven film that explores themes of authority, duty, honor, and the gray areas within justice.

Cast

Tom Cruise as Lt. Daniel Kaffee
Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan R. Jessup
Demi Moore as Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Galloway
Kevin Bacon as Capt. Jack Ross
Kiefer Sutherland as Lt. Jonathan Kendrick
Kevin Pollak as Lt. Sam Weinberg
J.T. Walsh as Lt. Col. Matthew Markinson
Wolfgang Bodison as Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson
James Marshall as Pfc. Louden Downey

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Marc Shaiman, known for his emotionally resonant compositions. The music is subtle, allowing the dialogue and performances to take center stage while supporting the film’s dramatic beats effectively.

Filming Locations

Washington, D.C.: Courtroom and military base exteriors
Los Angeles, California: Many interior scenes including courtroom sequences
Guantanamo Bay scenes: Shot on location in Southern California, with sets replicating the naval base

While the film was not shot in Cuba, the recreated environments added realism to the Guantanamo Bay scenes, intensifying the sense of isolation and military formality.

Awards and Nominations

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards:
- Best Picture
- Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson)
- Best Sound
- Best Film Editing

Although it didn’t win any Oscars, Nicholson’s performance and the screenplay received widespread critical acclaim.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The screenplay was adapted by Aaron Sorkin from his own stage play. He wrote much of it on cocktail napkins while bartending.
Rob Reiner cast Jack Nicholson after only one meeting; Nicholson accepted the role immediately.
The “You can’t handle the truth!” line was improvised by Nicholson and wasn’t in the original script exactly as delivered.
Filming the courtroom scenes took over two weeks, as Reiner insisted on capturing full performances for each actor, not just reaction shots.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on Aaron Sorkin’s stage play, which itself was inspired by real events involving the U.S. Marines at Guantanamo Bay.
Sorkin’s sister, a Navy JAG attorney, told him about a case involving a similar unauthorized disciplinary action—this became the seed for the story.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no known alternate endings that dramatically change the film’s conclusion. However, early drafts of the screenplay had more extensive dialogue about Dawson and Downey’s motivations and personal backstories, which were trimmed for pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A Few Good Men is not based on a book, but on Sorkin’s stage play. The screenplay expands on the play with more elaborate military and legal backdrops, action scenes, and character development.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Kaffee and Galloway’s first tense meeting.
The courtroom introduction of Jessup.
The confrontation between Kaffee and Jessup (“You can’t handle the truth!”).
Dawson’s final salute to Kaffee.

Iconic Quotes

“You can’t handle the truth!”
“We live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns.”
“I strenuously object.”
“Is there another kind?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Rob Reiner makes a cameo as a lawyer in the background during one courtroom scene.
Kevin Bacon’s character, Jack Ross, is written to mirror Tom Cruise’s: a foil with a strong moral compass but a different interpretation of military duty.
The courtroom set was modeled after actual Navy courtrooms used in Washington, D.C.

Trivia

Nicholson was paid $5 million for just 10 days of filming.
The line “You can’t handle the truth!” ranked #29 on the AFI’s list of top movie quotes.
Cruise and Moore did extensive legal research with real Navy JAG officers to prepare for their roles.
The script was initially considered too “talky” for a feature film, but Rob Reiner insisted on keeping the rich dialogue intact.

Why Watch?

A Few Good Men is a must-watch for fans of sharp courtroom drama and character-driven stories. It features powerhouse performances, especially from Jack Nicholson, and tackles questions about authority, ethics, and integrity. Whether you’re into military stories or high-stakes legal battles, this film delivers both with intelligence and intensity.

Director’s Other Movies

When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Misery (1990)
Stand by Me (1986)
The American President (1995)

A Few Good Men (1992)