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111-504: A Few Good Men is a 1992 American legal drama film based on Aaron Sorkin 's 1989 play . It was written by Sorkin, directed by Rob Reiner , and produced by Reiner, David Brown and Andrew Scheinman . It stars an ensemble cast including Tom Cruise , Jack Nicholson , Demi Moore , Kevin Bacon , Kevin Pollak , J. T. Walsh , Cuba Gooding Jr. , and Kiefer Sutherland . The plot follows

222-622: A "code red", a term that apparently was used to refer to hazing at the time but is no longer in the Marine vernacular . "The Ten" restrained a sleeping Alvarado, binding him with tape and stuffing a pillowcase into his mouth as a gag. Alvarado was blindfolded and assaulted while being dragged out of his room. One of "The Ten", David Cox , produced a hair buzzer as the plan was to shave Alvarado bald as punishment. But then Alvarado began choking. His lungs filled with fluid, he spat up blood and began turning purple as he lost consciousness, perhaps because

333-453: A $ 12.5 million salary. Demi Moore was cast as Galloway. Wolfgang Bodison was a film location scout when he was asked to take part in a screen test for the part of Dawson. James Woods auditioned to play Jessep, but Jack Nicholson was cast. Nicholson was paid $ 5 million for 10 days of shooting, earning $ 500,000 a day. Nicholson said, "it was one of the few times when it was money well spent." He later criticized Columbia Pictures for moving

444-411: A DVD release on May 29, 2001, and later a Blu-Ray release followed on September 8, 2007. The Double Feature of the film and Jerry Maguire was released on DVD on December 29, 2009, by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment . A 4K UHD Blu-Ray release occurred on April 24, 2018. Legal drama Legal dramas typically portray moral dilemmas that occur with the practice of the law or participating in

555-416: A Navy officer to a Marine and sought to have Markinson's character not commit suicide. The Pentagon refused to allow the film to be screened on military bases. The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: A Few Good Men was released on VHS and Laserdisc by Columbia TriStar Home Video on June 30, 1993, and released on DVD on October 7, 1997. The VHS was again released along with

666-466: A basis from which he wrote many drafts. In 1988, Sorkin sold his play's film rights to producer David Brown before it premiered, in a deal reportedly "well into six figures". Brown had read a New York Times article about Sorkin's one-act play Hidden in This Picture , and he learned that Sorkin also had a play called A Few Good Men that was having off-Broadway readings. Brown was producing

777-543: A budget of $ 40 million, and was nominated for four Academy Awards , including Best Picture . At the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba , Private William Santiago, a United States Marine , is tied up and beaten in the middle of the night. After he is found dead, Lance Corporal Harold Dawson and Private First Class Louden Downey are accused of his murder and face a court-martial . Their defense

888-399: A common laborer gets but 75 cents per day, and finds himself. The whole interior of the yard exhibits one continual thundering of hammers, axes, saws, and bellows, sending forth such a variety of sounds and smells, from the profusion of coal burnt in the furnaces, that it requires the strongest nerves to sustain the annoyance." In 1819, Betsey Howard became the first female worker documented at

999-598: A common theme from as far back as To Kill a Mockingbird in 1962 to the 2017 film Marshall . Legal drama in American film has an extensive history stemming from as early as the 1908 film, Falsely Accused! The 1950s and 1960s presented a number of legal drama films including, 12 Angry Men (1957), Witness for the Prosecution (1957), I Want to Live! (1958), Anatomy of a Murder (1959), The Young Philadelphians (1959), Compulsion (1959), Inherit

1110-518: A conventional but compelling story." Todd McCarthy in Variety magazine predicted, "The same histrionic fireworks that gripped theater audiences will prove even more compelling to filmgoers due to the star power and dramatic screw-tightening." Roger Ebert was less enthusiastic in the Chicago Sun-Times , giving it two-and-a-half out of four stars and finding its major flaw was revealing

1221-710: A disabled gun and was instrumental in bringing that gun into action. Captain Miller remembered King's gun "cut down sixteen of the enemy." As the British marched into Washington, holding the Yard became impossible. Seeing the smoke from the burning Capitol , Tingey ordered the Yard burned to prevent its capture by the enemy. Both structures are now individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On August 30, 1814, Mary Stockton Hunter, an eyewitness to

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1332-512: A few projects at TriStar Pictures , and tried to interest them in adapting A Few Good Men , but his proposal was declined due to the lack of star actors. In 1990, Variety announced that the film would be financed by Groupe Canal+ and Brown's company World Film Services. Brown received a call from Alan Horn at Castle Rock Entertainment , who was anxious to make the film. Rob Reiner , a producing partner at Castle Rock Entertainment, opted to direct. Reiner and Sorkin spent eight months writing

1443-490: A lawyer returns home for his mother's funeral. Reviews from the New York Times comment on the film's transformation into a crime story, characteristic of the legal thriller. The film itself unfolds the legal thriller's ideal courtroom drama style. The film takes place in what is deemed as a "nostalgia-tinged town". Further films such as The Lincoln Lawyer have also met similar reviews from Roger Ebert, commenting on

1554-473: A plea bargain with the prosecutor, US Marine Judge Advocate Captain Jack Ross, Dawson and Downey refuse, insisting that Kendrick gave them the "code red" order, that they never intended to kill Santiago, and that it would be dishonorable to pursue a plea bargain. Kaffee intends to get removed as counsel, but at the arraignment, Kaffee unexpectedly enters a plea of not guilty for the defendants. He says that he

1665-510: A setting that actually reflects what occurs in the world. Legal dramas may present stories of the miscarriages of justice , such as persons wrongly convicted of a crime they did not commit. At times, stories may involve the moral implications of police misconduct , such as placing or tampering with evidence , such as in the 1993 film In the Name of the Father . More often, legal dramas focus on

1776-403: A three-year stint with the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps . She said that she was going to Guantanamo Bay to defend a group of Marines who had nearly killed a fellow Marine in a hazing ordered by a superior officer. While the film does not inform its audience that it is inspired by a true story, many of the facts of the case that Deborah Sorkin was involved in are directly included in

1887-553: A white brick wall that surrounds the Yard on the north and east sides. The following year, two additional lots were purchased. The north wall of the Yard was built in 1809 along with a guardhouse , now known as the Latrobe Gate . After the Burning of Washington in 1814, Tingey recommended that the height of the eastern wall be increased to ten feet (3 m) because of the fire and subsequent looting . The southern boundary of

1998-509: A witness, despite the risk of being court-martialed for challenging a high-ranking officer without evidence. At the Washington Navy Yard court, Jessep spars with Kaffee's questioning, but is unnerved when Kaffee points out a contradiction in his testimony. Kaffee also calls into question Jessep's claim that Santiago was to be put on the first flight home. Upon further questioning, and disgusted by Kaffee's attitude, Jessep extols

2109-939: Is a ceremonial and administrative center for the United States Navy , located in Washington, D.C. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy, situated along the Anacostia River in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Southeast D.C. Formerly operating as a shipyard and ordnance plant, the yard currently serves as home to the Chief of Naval Operations and is headquarters for the Naval Sea Systems Command , Naval Reactors , Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command , Naval History and Heritage Command , Navy Installations Command ,

2220-503: Is a complete work-shop, where every naval article is manufactured: it contains twenty-two forges, five furnaces, and a steam-engine. The shops are large and convenient; they are built of brick and covered with copper to secure them from fire. Steel is prepared here with great facility. The numbers of hands employed vary; at present there are about 200. A ship-wright has $ 2,50 per day, out of which he maintains his wife and family if he have any. Generally wages are very low for all manner of work;

2331-746: Is also part of the Navy Yard , also known as Near Southeast, neighborhood. It is served by the Navy Yard – Ballpark Metro station on the Green Line . The Marine Corps Museum was located on the first floor of the Marine Corps Historical Society in Building 58. The museum closed on July 1, 2005, during the establishment of the National Museum of the Marine Corps near Marine Corps Base Quantico . The Yard

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2442-546: Is assigned to United States Navy JAG Corps Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, a callow lawyer with a penchant for plea bargains . Another JAG attorney, Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway, Kaffee's superior, suspects something is amiss. Santiago died after he broke the chain of command to ask to be transferred away. Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Markinson advocated for Santiago to be transferred, but Base Commander Colonel Nathan Jessep ordered Santiago's platoon commander, Lieutenant Jonathan James Kendrick, to "train" Santiago on

2553-597: Is friends. Cruise insisted on using the church's Clearsound sound reproduction technology, which he claimed captured his voice better. Filming began on October 21, 1991, at the Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C. The film's Guantanamo Bay scenes were filmed in Southern California at Crystal Cove State Park , Fort MacArthur , and Naval Air Station Point Mugu . Although 200 off-duty Marines were allowed to serve as extras for

2664-594: Is housed in a complex of buildings known as the Dudley Knox Center for Naval History. Leutze Park is the scene of colorful ceremonies. On September 16, 2013, a shooting took place at the Yard. Shots were fired at the headquarters for the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters building #197. Fifteen people, including 13 civilians, one D.C. police officer, and one base officer, were shot. Twelve fatalities were confirmed by

2775-407: Is not necessary to wear a patch on one's arm to have honor. Dawson acknowledges Kaffee as an officer and renders a salute. Kaffee and Ross exchange pleasantries before Ross departs to arrest Kendrick. Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin was inspired to write the source play, A Few Good Men , from a phone conversation with his sister Deborah. A graduate of Boston University Law School, she had signed up for

2886-540: Is the employment of Winthrop and Samuel Shriggins, two ship carpenters who were hired at $ 2.06 per diem, based on the approval of Secretary of the Navy, Robert Smith (cabinet member) , 12 March 1806. While a former seaman Adam Keizer, was hired because he "was with Captain William Bainbridge at Tripoli." On occasion, a dearth of applicants required a public announcement; the first such documented advertisement

2997-546: The 2nd Regiment of the District of Columbia Militia who was the first mayor of Washington, D.C. In late August, they were ordered to assemble at Bladensburg, Maryland , to form the first line of defense in protecting the United States' capital city along with the majority of the American forces was ordered to retreat. The Chesapeake Bay Flotilla of Joshua Barney joined the combined forces of Navy Yard sailors, and

3108-542: The AFI 100 Years... series lists of films, which celebrate the greatest films in American cinema. Likewise, To Kill a Mockingbird received even more acclaim, garnering three academy awards out of eight total nominations at the 35th Academy Awards , appears on seven of the AFI's ten lists celebrating the greatest films, including ranking as the best courtroom drama, and selected for preservation United States National Film Registry by

3219-573: The Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Other countries also premiered legal dramas or courtrooms dramas in the early 1900s, such as the French silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928). Other legal drama films have not focused on even the practice of law, such as Paper Chase , a film presenting the difficulty and anxiety of entering law school. Legal thriller films provide introspection into

3330-544: The National Museum of the United States Navy , the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps , Marine Corps Institute , the United States Navy Band , and other more classified facilities. In 1998, the yard was listed as a Superfund site due to environmental contamination . The history of the yard can be divided into its military history and cultural and scientific history. The land

3441-589: The U.S. Marines of the nearby Marine Barracks of Washington, D.C., and were positioned to be the third and final line of the American defenses. Together, they effectively used devastating artillery and fought in hand-to-hand combat with cutlasses and pikes against the British regulars before being overwhelmed. Benjamin King (1764-1840), a navy yard civilian master blacksmith, fought at Bladensburg. King accompanied Captain Miller's Marines into battle. King took charge of

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3552-686: The USS Wasp be brought West of the bridge or near the bridge, dressed in colors!" The 1835 Washington Navy Yard labor strike was the first labor strike of federal civilian employees. The unsuccessful strike was from 29 July to 15 August 1835. The strike was over working conditions and in support of a ten-hour day. For the first thirty years of the 19th century, the Navy Yard was the District's principal employer of enslaved and some free African Americans. Their numbers rose rapidly, and by 1808,

3663-486: The court-martial of two U.S. Marines charged with the murder of a fellow Marine and the tribulations of their lawyers as they prepare a case. Produced by Castle Rock Entertainment , the film was released by Columbia Pictures on December 11, 1992, and premiered on December 9, 1992, at Westwood, Los Angeles . It received acclaim for its screenwriting, direction, themes, and acting, particularly that of Cruise, Nicholson, and Moore. It grossed more than $ 243 million on

3774-465: The 246-foot (75 m) steam frigate USS Minnesota . The USS Constitution came to the Yard in 1812 to refit and prepare for combat action. During the War of 1812 , the Navy Yard was important not only as a support facility but also as a vital strategic link in defense of the capital city. Sailors of Navy Yard were part of the hastily assembled American army, which, at Bladensburg, Maryland , opposed

3885-674: The British forces marching on Washington. An independent volunteer militia rifle company of civilian workers in the Washington Navy Yard was organized by the United States naval architect William Doughty in 1813, and they regularly drilled after working hours. In 1814, Captain Doughty's volunteers were designated the Navy Yard Rifles and assigned to serve under the overall command of Major Robert Brent of

3996-715: The Civil War. In 1898, David W. Taylor developed a ship model testing basin , which was used by the Navy and private shipbuilders to test the effect of water on new hull designs. The first shipboard aircraft catapult was tested in the Anacostia River in 1912, and a wind tunnel was completed at the Yard in 1916. The giant gears for the Panama Canal locks were cast at the Yard. Navy Yard technicians applied their efforts to medical designs for prosthetic hands and molds for artificial eyes and teeth. Navy Yard

4107-462: The Department of Naval History, the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps , the United States Navy Band , the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command and numerous other naval commands. Several Officers' Quarters are located at the facility. Building 126 is located by the Anacostia River, on the northeast corner of 11th and SE O Streets. The one-story building, built between 1925 and 1938,

4218-457: The Marines took plea deals to avoid a court-martial trial. The remaining three, including Cox, elected to stand trial. The three argued that they committed the code red under an order from a commanding officer and that murder had never been the intention. Each of the three managed to retain their status as Marines after being found guilty of lesser offenses and went on to be honorably discharged at

4329-481: The Naval Gun Factory making munitions. Following the war, most were discharged. In the modern era, women working at the Yard have increased their presence in executive, managerial, administrative, technical, and clerical positions. From 1984 to 2015, the decommissioned destroyer USS  Barry  (DD-933) was a museum ship at the Washington Navy Yard as "Display Ship Barry " (DS Barry ). Barry

4440-550: The Navy Yard houses a variety of activities. It serves as headquarters, Naval District Washington , and houses numerous support activities for the fleet and aviation communities. The Navy Museum welcomes visitors to the Navy Art Collection and its displays of naval art and artifacts , which trace the Navy's history from the Revolutionary War to the present day. The Naval History and Heritage Command

4551-411: The Navy and requested that a test of his new torpedo, be authorized at the Washington Navy Yard. Fulton specifically asked that the Navy fabricate copper harpoon torpedoes and provide small boats manned with gunner's mates and boat crews. He envisioned a limited trial on the feasibility of sinking a small sloop. The trial was never funded and a perplexed and exasperated Fulton complained to Jefferson about

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4662-597: The Navy. Commander Theodore F. Jewell was Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory from January 1893 to February 1896. Ordnance production continued as the Yard manufactured armament for the Great White Fleet and the World War I navy. The 14-inch (360 mm) naval railway guns used in France during World War I were manufactured at the Yard. By World War II, the Yard was the largest naval ordnance plant in

4773-505: The Ordnance Department, Laboratory Division. The Department produced naval shells and gunpowder. The women sewed canvas bags that were used to charge ordnance aboard naval vessels. They also sewed flags for naval vessels. Most of these workers were paid about $ 1.00 per day. Their work was dangerous, for there was always the risk of a single errant spark igniting nearby gunpowder or pyrotechnics with catastrophic results, such as

4884-664: The Secretary of the Navy and the members of Congress. For example on 2 July 1811, Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton (politician) ordered Commodore Tingey to provide a "4th of July 18 gun salute, commencing at Sunrise and another commencing at 12 o'clock and yet another commencing at Sunset. Hamilton then added a note that "Rockets are to be displayed on common before the North front of the President's house and could not

4995-443: The United States Navy and D.C. Police. Officials said the gunman, Aaron Alexis, a 34-year-old civilian contractor from Queens, New York, was killed during a gunfight with police. The Yard serves as a ceremonial and administrative center for the U.S. Navy, home to the Chief of Naval Operations . It is headquarters for the Naval Sea Systems Command , Naval Reactors , Naval Facilities Engineering Command , Naval Historical Center ,

5106-454: The Wind (1960), Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), and To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). Arguably, 12 Angry Men and To Kill a Mockingbird stand as the cornerstones of early legal dramas, garnering extensive acclaim, recognition, and awards. Despite underwhelming box office performance, 12 Angry Men was nominated in three different categories at the 30th Academy Awards and appears on half of

5217-466: The Yard was deemed too inaccessible to the open sea. Thus came a shift to what was to be the character of the yard for more than a century: ordnance and technology. During the next decade, the Navy Yard grew to become by 1819 the largest employer in Washington, D.C., with a total number of approximately 345 workers. In 1826 noted writer Anne Royall , toured the navy yard. She wrote, "The navy yard

5328-604: The Yard was formed by the Anacostia River (then called the "Eastern Branch" of the Potomac River ). The west side was undeveloped marsh . The land located along the Anacostia was added to by landfill over the years as it became necessary to increase the size of the Yard. From its first years, the Washington Navy Yard became the navy's largest shipbuilding and shipfitting facility, with 22 vessels constructed there, ranging from small 70-foot (21 m) gunboats to

5439-498: The Yard was renamed the U.S. Naval Gun Factory . Ordnance work continued for some years after World War II until finally phased out in 1961. Three years later, on July 1, 1964, the activity was re-designated the Washington Navy Yard. The deserted factory buildings began to be converted to office use. In 1963, ownership of 55 acres of the Washington Navy Yard Annex (western side of Yard including Building 170 )

5550-401: The actual practice of law, legal dramas may also misrepresent the character of lawyers in general. The lawyers in question fall under different variations, the character representations include the zealous heroic lawyers fighting to save their client's case, or putting criminals in jail, another is the sleazy distrustful attorney performing morally questionable acts to win the case, another may be

5661-459: The attorneys' point of view when faced with these difficulties. For instance, in The Practice , a television legal drama series revolving around a firm of criminal defense attorneys, a common theme presented is the difficulty of defending clients known or believed to be guilty. Finally, many legal dramas present themes that reflect politicized issues. In the 1960 film, Inherit the Wind ,

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5772-409: The basis they are all at fault for Santiago's substandard performance. Galloway suspects that Dawson and Downey carried out a "code red" order: a violent extrajudicial punishment . Galloway is bothered by Kaffee's blasé approach, and Kaffee resents Galloway's interference. Kaffee and Galloway question Jessep and others at Guantanamo Bay and are met with contempt from the colonel. When Kaffee negotiates

5883-600: The blacksmith shop as late as August 1861. During the American Civil War , the Yard once again became an integral part of the defense of Washington. Commandant Franklin Buchanan resigned his commission to join the Confederacy , leaving the Yard to Commander John A. Dahlgren . President Abraham Lincoln , who held Dahlgren in the highest esteem, was a frequent visitor. The famous ironclad USS Monitor

5994-756: The block between Nationals Park and the historic DC Water pumping station. The Washington Navy Yard often functions as a ceremonial gateway to the nation's capital. From early on, due to its proximity to the White House, the navy yard was the site of recurrent presidential visits. The Washington Navy Yard station log confirms many of these visits, for example, those of John Tyler 5 July 1841, James K. Polk 4 March 1845, Franklin Pierce 14 December 1853, and Abraham Lincoln,18 May 1861 and 25 July 1861. There are also entries for foreign delegations and celebrities, e.g., 7 September 1825 for General Lafayette and 15 May 1860 for

6105-400: The box office for the next three weeks. Overall, it grossed $ 141,340,178 in the U.S. and $ 101,900,000 internationally for a total of $ 243,240,178. On Rotten Tomatoes , A Few Good Men has an approval rating of 84% based on 67 reviews, with an average rating of 7.10/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "An old-fashioned courtroom drama with a contemporary edge, A Few Good Men succeeds on

6216-411: The challenge often taken by lawyers in legal thriller films. For example, a young public defender has to handle the challenging case of a woman charged with murdering her husband. The film features elements of a conventional courtroom drama, such as the heroic lawyer, shady characters, and a law firm setting. Within the film, there are plot twist characteristics of the legal thriller genre. Furthermore,

6327-485: The conclusion of their military careers. The attorney who defended Cox, Donald Marcari, would later say that Adams "never confessed". In an interview, the attorney Marcari said that code reds "were very prevalent" at the time, even though Adams said that "he didn't realize Code Reds were still going on". In court, "we were trying to show there was an implied order," Marcari said, and "that Marines are so gung-ho they must follow any order, even if it's an implied order." After

6438-487: The conflicted lawyer who is forced into a moral dilemma of having to defend a guilty client. These representations are not reflective of how lawyers act in real life as their job is to remain neutral to the law and ensure every person gets a fair and equal trial, regardless of their guilt. Speaking at a screening of 12 Angry Men during the 2010 Fordham University Law School Film festival, US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor stated that seeing 12 Angry Men while she

6549-448: The courtroom strategy to the audience before the climactic scene between Cruise and Nicholson. Ebert wrote, "In many ways this is a good film, with the potential to be even better than that. The flaws are mostly at the screenplay level; the film doesn't make us work, doesn't allow us to figure out things for ourselves, is afraid we'll miss things if they're not spelled out." Widescreenings noted that for Kaffee, "Sorkin interestingly takes

6660-408: The discrimination and public fear of HIV/AIDs carriers. In 1996, The People vs. Larry Flynt portrays the early years of Hustler Magazine and issues of obscenity and freedom of speech. You Don't Know Jack (2010) is a fictional biographic film about Dr. Jack Kevorkian and the legal actions he faced as a result of providing euthanasia services to terminal patients. Racial injustice remains

6771-515: The early District and often commented on by authors and visitors. Samuel Batley Ellis, an English immigrant, was the first steam engine operator, and in 1810 was paid the high wage of $ 2.00 per day. The steam engine ran the sawmill and manufactured anchors , chain, and steam engines for vessels of war. Because of its proximity to the nation's Capitol, the Washington Navy Yard Commandant, was routinely tasked requests from

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6882-462: The end, Robert Smith must have felt Hanson’s charges were simply too embarrassing for the Jefferson administration and the Department of the Navy to air in a public inquiry, hence, the case was never brought to court. Hanson’s charges were simply left to fade in the file and no action was taken against Commodore Tingey, John Cassin or Samuel Hanson. Despite official denial, enslaved labor continued at

6993-688: The enslaved made up one-third of the workforce. The use of enslaved labor became an in issue in December 1808, when purser Samuel Hanson wrote to Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith alleging that Commodore Thomas Tingey and his deputy John Cassin had both allowed enslaved laborers on the navy yard payroll.Hanson’s charges were serious, namely that Tingey had financially benefited from shipbuilding and lumber contracts. He also accused both Tingey and Cassin of profiting by placing enslaved laborers of their families and friends on shipyard payrolls. "In

7104-421: The explosion and fire on 17 June 1864 that killed 21 young women working at the U.S. Army Arsenal Washington D.C. During World War II, the Washington Navy Yard at its peak employed over 20,000 civilian workers, including 1,400 female ordnance workers. The Yard was also a leader in technology as it possessed one of the earliest steam engines in the United States. The steam engine was the high-tech marvel of

7215-512: The fence line into Cuba. PFC Alvarado, like his on-screen counterpart, "was perceived as not one of the team" and requested a transfer off the base. This information reached commanding officer Colonel Samuel Adams, who elected not to transfer Alvarado despite concerns that the Marine's violation of the chain of command may put him in danger. One night, a group of Marines known as "the Ten" chose to perform

7326-408: The film Law has ample court scenes and features a character taking on the fight for justice. The film defies the stereotypical expectations of women through featuring the main character as a woman who wants to speak openly about gang rape victimization. The recognition of injustice is another emerging aspect of legal thriller films. Marshall is another example of a legal thriller film, where

7437-516: The film such as entering a similar knife into the proceeding; performing outside research into the case matter in the first place; and ultimately the jury as a whole making broad, wide-ranging assumptions far beyond the scope of reasonable doubt would not be allowed in a real-life jury situation, and would in fact have yielded a mistrial (assuming, of course, that applicable law permitted the content of jury deliberations to be revealed). Washington Navy Yard The Washington Navy Yard ( WNY )

7548-595: The film's release date to directly compete with his other film that year, Hoffa . The film starts with a performance of " Semper Fidelis " by a U.S. Marine Corps marching band. A Silent Drill was performed by the Texas A&;M University Corps of Cadets Fish Drill Team (portraying the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon ). Commentators have suggested several former Navy JAG lawyers who might have been

7659-521: The film, the U.S. Department of Defense denied the production permission to film at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton . The courtroom scenes were filmed at Culver Studios in Culver City, California . A Few Good Men premiered at the Odeon Cinema, Manchester , England , and opened on December 11, 1992, in 1,925 theaters. It grossed $ 15,517,468 in its opening weekend and was the top film at

7770-447: The film. The film would later be criticized by the Marine Corps for its unfavorable depiction of Marine culture. The U.S. Department of Defense stated prior to the film's release, in since-declassified documents, that it "did not provide all the support that Castle Rock Pictures asked for in the production of the film". After the military was able to review drafts of the script, the D.O.D. asked for Demi Moore's character to be changed from

7881-485: The first visualizes courtroom drama and heroism, characterizing the legal thriller genre. McQueen made his film resemble a landmark of the civil rights trial against black activists. The film uses the characteristics of the legal thriller genre through a powerhouse courtroom drama and focusing on racial justice. The power divide between two opposing sides is intended to shape transformative victory, as audiences can learn about diversity. A Fall from Grace also features

7992-455: The gag had been soaked in gasoline as an attorney would later allege. The "code red" was immediately stopped, and the Marines called for help. Alvarado was taken to the infirmary before being transferred to a hospital in Miami, Florida , where he – unlike Private William Santiago in A Few Good Men – went on to make a full recovery. "The Ten" admitted guilt and were arrested immediately. Seven of

8103-472: The history of the service to earn that grade. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone said, "That the performances are uniformly outstanding is a tribute to Rob Reiner ( Misery ), who directs with masterly assurance, fusing suspense and character to create a movie that literally vibrates with energy." Richard Schickel in Time called it "an extraordinarily well-made movie, which wastes no words or images in telling

8214-410: The justice system, many of which mirrors dilemmas in real life. The American Bar Association Journal has interpreted the public's enjoyment of legal dramas occur because "stories about the legal system are laced with human vulnerability." Indeed, even though "there are no car chases [and]... [g]uns are never drawn", legal dramas retain strong followings because of their presentation of moral intrigue in

8325-471: The lawyer is feature as the main character, traveling the country on behalf of the NAACP to defend black men who are accused of crimes. The film features a courtroom scene where violence occurs in retrieving the confession of a client and the difficulty to obtain the truth. As a film review reveals, flashbacks are used as a key film technique to craft outrage. The courtroom scenes are considered suspenseful and

8436-496: The legal process. Many of these misconceptions result from the desire to create an interesting story. For example, because conflict between parties make for an interesting story, legal dramas emphasize the trial and ignore the fact that the vast majority of civil and criminal cases in the United States are settled out of court. Trials in legal dramas are often shown to be more emphatic by disregarding actual rules in trials that prevent prejudicing defendants from juries. Besides

8547-496: The life of a lawyer and legal professionals. Within films, the central character is often engaged in professional work and experiences an obstacle that they have to overcome such as a client's case. The character confronts problems with their personal life and work, as it is under threat by the complex case, creating a series of action and courtroom battles. The problems that characters face are evident within reviews of films such as The Judge , where family dynamics strain after

8658-418: The love of three elements in the film: courtroom scene, old cars, and tangled criminals. The 2019 film, Dark Waters raises an ethical dilemma of lawyers often choosing sides within films, as the defense lawyer has to switch sides to defend a poisoned community. He risks his future, community, and life by dealing with the case, characteristic of the legal thriller. By combining the elements of film and law,

8769-517: The military's, and his own, importance to national security. Kaffee asks if Jessep ordered the "code red", to which he bellows "You're goddamn right I did!". Jessep tries to leave the courtroom but is arrested. Dawson and Downey are cleared of the murder and conspiracy charges but found guilty of " conduct unbecoming " and will be dishonorably discharged . Downey does not understand what they did wrong; Dawson says that they failed to defend those too weak to fight for themselves. Kaffee tells Dawson that it

8880-654: The model for Kaffee. These include Don Marcari, now an attorney in Virginia ; former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias ; Chris Johnson, now practicing in California ; and Walter Bansley III, now practicing in Connecticut . But Sorkin has said, "The character of Dan Kaffee in A Few Good Men is entirely fictional and was not inspired by any particular individual." Cruise said that he modeled his performance on Church of Scientology chairman David Miscavige , with whom he

8991-404: The most popular legal drama during the 2010s. Better Call Saul also achieved popularity following its first season in 2015. Legal dramas are becoming more in demand from the public, more popular for many people to watch, and beginning to feature stronger female leads. It is widely believed by most practicing lawyers that legal dramas result in the general public having misconceptions about

9102-546: The naval establishment. On 4 May 1810 Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton (politician) , notified Commodore Thomas Tingey, Navy had "conditionally consented" to testing Fulton's Torpedo system and that he was enclosing a copy of Mr. Fulton's "Torpedo War". Hamilton also added "You will prepare and transmit to Mr. Fulton at New York your objections to his system..." In September 1810 the Secretary Hamilton agreed to test Fulton's torpedo, and Commodore Thomas Tingey

9213-522: The navy yard (and perhaps in the federal service), followed shortly after by Ann Spieden. Both Howard and Spieden were employed as horse cart drivers, "and like their male counterparts employed per diem, at $ 1.54 a day, working whole or part days as required." In 1832 the Washington Navy Yard Hospital, hired Eleanor Cassidy O'Donnell to work as a nurse. During the Civil War the navy hired about two dozen women as seamstresses in

9324-453: The navy yard and at other locations." The number of enslaved workers gradually declined during the next thirty years. However, free and some enslaved African Americans remained a vital presence. One such person was former slave, later freeman, Michael Shiner 1805-1880 whose diary chronicled his life and work at the navy yard for over half a century There is the documentation for enslaved labor euphemistically called "servants" still working in

9435-463: The navy yard had one of the biggest payrolls in town, with the number of civilian mechanics and laborers and contractors expanding with the seasons and the naval Congressional appropriation. Before the passage of the Pendleton Act on 16 January 1883, applications for employment at the navy yard were informal, mainly based on connections, patronage, and personal influence. An example from 1806

9546-430: The opposite approach of Top Gun ", in which Cruise also played the protagonist. In Top Gun , Cruise plays Pete "Maverick" Mitchell , a "hotshot military underachiever who makes mistakes because he is trying to outperform his late father. Where Maverick needs to rein in the discipline, Daniel Kaffee needs to let it go, finally see what he can do." Sorkin and Reiner were praised in gradually unveiling Kaffee's potential in

9657-465: The play and film. This later led to a lawsuit against Castle Rock by the real-life Marines whose actions inspired the story. In reality, a code red was allegedly ordered in September 1986 against Private First Class (PFC) William Alvarado, who had written letters to a Texas Congressman and others, complaining of poor conditions and illegal activities on the base, including Marines firing shots across

9768-464: The politicized issue portrayed was the legality of a Tennessee statute that made it unlawful to teach the theory of evolution in a public school. As laws and public policy opinions change, so do the themes presented in legal dramas. The 1992 film A Few Good Men explored the psychology of superior orders , e.g. excusing criminal actions because they were only committed from 'following orders'. The film Philadelphia (1993) addressed homophobia , and

9879-486: The privilege of a Man of Genius against him, - that is of being a little forgetful. – I so well know the goodness of your disposition, that I am determined, if possible, to want his quarreling with you at all events about so dirty a business as a Water Closet." King in 1805 again at Jefferson's behest built the first fire engine for the White House°. In December 1807 Robert Fulton approached Robert Smith, Secretary of

9990-423: The relationship becomes central to the audience. Legal thriller films can impact the audience through film techniques, images, symbols, and social functions. The film Mangrove shows the inequalities and injustices prevalent through Britain's Caribbean history. Steve McQueen was the first black director of an Academy winning best picture with 12 Years a Slave . The five-part anthology, featuring Mangrove as

10101-566: The release of the film A Few Good Men , five Marines from "The Ten" – Kevin Palermo, Ronald Peterson Jr., Brett Bentley, Dennis Snyder and Christopher Lee Valdez – hired lawyer Gary Patterson and filed a lawsuit in Texas State Court against Castle Rock and other Hollywood companies linked to the film. They argued that Aaron Sorkin took the idea for the story from their real-life incident, and they were seeking $ 10 million in damages. Cox

10212-402: The screenplay. William Goldman did an uncredited rewrite; Sorkin liked his changes so much that he incorporated them into the stage version. One of the most significant changes was the removal of a forged logbook that served as the trial's " smoking gun " in the play. The film had a production budget of between $ 33 and 40 million. Tom Cruise was cast as Kaffee on March 22, 1991, and was given

10323-858: The setting of the 1940s shows a stage where people threw a facade with fake costumes and bright lights. Racism is exposed as a critical social justice issue explored where the truth demands a voice. The following table summarises legal thriller films: Early American television programs considered legal dramas include Perry Mason , The Defenders , Judd, for the Defense , Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law , The Bold Ones: The Lawyers , Petrocelli , and Matlock . More recent examples of serious legal dramas are Murder One , The Practice , Law & Order , L.A. Law , The Good Wife and Pearson . The examples of legal comedy dramas are Ally McBeal and Boston Legal , both of which David E. Kelley created and produced, with Suits as one of

10434-414: The strength of its stars, with Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and especially Jack Nicholson delivering powerful performances that more than compensate for the predictable plot." On Metacritic , the film has a score of 62 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale, one of fewer than 60 films in

10545-437: The vast conflagration, wrote her sister: "No pen can describe the appalling sound that our ears heard and the sight our eyes saw. We could see everything from the upper part of our house as plainly as if we had been in the Yard. All the vessels of war on fire-the immense quantity of dry timber, together with the houses and stores in flames produced an almost meridian brightness. You never saw a drawing room so brilliantly lighted as

10656-453: The visit of the first Japanese Embassy. The body of World War I's Unknown Soldier was received here. Charles A. Lindbergh returned to the Navy Yard in 1927 after his famous transatlantic flight . During the Civil War, a small number of women worked at the Navy Yard as flag makers and seamstresses, sewing canvas bags for gunpowder. Women again entered the workforce in the 20th century in significant numbers during WWII, where they worked at

10767-450: The whole city was that night." Among the vessels that were burned at the Yard were two warships under construction and nearing completion: the original Columbia , a 44-gun frigate, and the Argus , an 18-gun brig being built to replace an earlier Argus , which had been captured by the British a year earlier following a fierce engagement off the coast of Wales . From its beginning,

10878-403: The world. The weapons designed and built there were used in every war in which the United States fought until the 1960s. At its peak, the Yard consisted of 188 buildings on 126 acres (0.5 km ) of land and employed nearly 25,000 people. Small components for optical systems, parts of Little Boy , and enormous 16-inch (406mm) battleship guns were all manufactured here. In December 1945,

10989-605: Was Washington's earliest industrial neighborhood. One of the earliest industrial buildings nearby was the eight-story brick Sugar House, built in Square 744 at the foot of New Jersey Avenue, SE, as a sugar refinery in 1797–98. In 1805, it became the Washington Brewery, which produced beer until it closed in 1836. The brewery site was just west of the Washington City Canal in what is now Parking Lot H/I in

11100-492: Was by Commodore Thomas Tingey on 15 May 1815 "To Blacksmiths, Eight or Ten good strikers capable of working on large anchors, and other heavy ship work, will find constant employ and liberal wages, by application at the navy yard, Washington" Following the War of 1812, the Washington Navy Yard never regained its prominence as a shipbuilding facility. The waters of the Anacostia River were too shallow to accommodate larger vessels, and

11211-515: Was chosen to handle the case because he was expected to accept a plea, and the matter would then be kept quiet. Markinson meets Kaffee in secret and says that Jessep never ordered a transfer for Santiago. The defense establishes that Dawson had been denied promotion for smuggling food to a Marine who had been sentenced to be deprived of food. Dawson is portrayed in a good light, and the defense, through Downey, proves that "code reds" had been ordered before. But under cross-examination, Downey says that he

11322-435: Was directed to transport via stage coach two torpedo harpoon guns from Washington Navy Yard to New York "for Mr. Fulton". To Fulton's chagrin, after a number of attempts the torpedo test ended in failure. In 1822, Commodore John Rodgers built the country's first marine railway for the overhaul of large vessels. John A. Dahlgren developed his distinctive bottle-shaped cannon that became the mainstay of naval ordnance before

11433-422: Was frequently used for change of command ceremonies for naval commands in the area. Due to declining visitors to the ship, the expensive renovations she required, and the District 's plans to build a new bridge that would trap her in the Anacostia River, Barry was towed away during the winter of 2015-2016 for scrapping. The U.S. Navy held an official departure ceremony for the ship on 17 October 2015. Today,

11544-674: Was headquarters to the Marine Corps Historical Center. That moved in 2006 to Quantico . The Washington Navy Yard was the scene of many scientific developments. In 1804 at the request of President Thomas Jefferson, navy yard blacksmith Benjamin King built the first White House water closet/toilet. For which Architect Benjamin Latrobe reminded King, " How shall I get the president of the United States into good humor with you about his Water Closet, & his side roof which you were to make? He complains bitterly of you using

11655-432: Was in college influenced her decision to pursue a career in law. She was particularly inspired by immigrant Juror 11's monologue on his reverence for the American justice system. She also told the audience of law students that, as a lower-court judge, she would sometimes instruct juries to not follow the film's example, because most of the jurors' conclusions are based on speculation, not fact. Sotomayor noted that events from

11766-533: Was not a part of this lawsuit, though he was asked to join and was considering doing so in January 1994 when he was mysteriously murdered. Aaron Sorkin wrote much of his story on cocktail napkins while bartending at the Palace Theatre on Broadway . He and his roommates had purchased a Macintosh 512K ; when he returned home, he would empty his pockets of the napkins and type them into the computer, forming

11877-446: Was not present when Dawson received the supposed "code red" order. Markinson, ashamed that he failed to protect a Marine under his command and unwilling to testify against Jessep, his longtime friend, commits suicide before he can testify. Without Markinson's testimony, Kaffee believes the case lost. He returns home in a drunken stupor, lamenting that he fought the case instead of taking a deal. Galloway encourages Kaffee to call Jessep as

11988-611: Was purchased under an Act of Congress on July 23, 1799. The Washington Navy Yard was established on October 2, 1799, the date the property was transferred to the Navy. It is the oldest shore establishment of the U.S. Navy. The Yard was built under the direction of Benjamin Stoddert , the first Secretary of the Navy , under the supervision of the Yard's first commandant, Commodore Thomas Tingey , who served in that capacity for 29 years. The original boundaries that were established in 1800, along 9th and M Street SE, are still marked by

12099-620: Was recently renovated to be a net-zero energy building as part of the Washington Navy Yard Energy Demonstration Project. Features include two wind turbines , five geothermal wells, a battery energy storage system, one-hundred thirty-two 235 kW solar photovoltaic panels, and windows of electrochromic smart glass . Although inventoried and determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places , it

12210-502: Was repaired at the Yard after her historic battle with the CSS Virginia . The Lincoln assassination conspirators were brought to the Yard following their capture. The body of John Wilkes Booth was examined and identified on the monitor USS Montauk , moored at the Yard. Following the war, the Yard continued to be the scene of technological advances. In 1886, the Yard was designated the manufacturing center for all ordnance in

12321-803: Was transferred to the General Services Administration . The Yards at the Southeast Federal Center are part of this former property and now includes the headquarters for the United States Department of Transportation . The Washington Navy Yard was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, and designated a National Historic Landmark on May 11, 1976. It is part of the Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District. It

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