You Can't Handle The Truth
A Few Good Men Lyrics

We have lyrics for 'You Can't Handle The Truth' by these artists:

Hold Me Hostage I don't feel real anymore (You can't handle the truth) I…

We have lyrics for these tracks by A Few Good Men:

Don't Cry Don't cry, don't cry Baby don't, behind my back Don't cry, d…
Have I Never Have I never told you I love you Have I never…
Silver Bells City sidewalks busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style in th…
Tonite You know I really want to love you, honey Can I…
Walk You Thru [Chorus] With a little romance Can I get with you What yo…
Young Girl Baby, baby, baby If there's anything you want or anything yo…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

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Comments from YouTube:

@TrapMusicNow

39w↑526

This was my high school monologue back in 07. I’ll never forget the look on my drama teachers face when she expected the non caring skater guy to bust out word for word Jack Nicholson with sheer dedicated. She was in awe lol

@daveclark8337

39w↑20

Al Bundy once scored 4 touchdowns in a single game for Polk High school.

@AnnatarLoss

39w↑26

You want the monologue!? You can't handle the monologue!!!!

@RomulusNumitor

33w↑9

Now teachers just trans the kids

@paultalley6222

32w↑1

Uh...it's sheer "dedication", not "dedicated"...sorry to so pedantic.....................but.....................if your text-to-speech algorithm flubbed it, great...but if you typed it...what's to say that IF your typed Nicholson monologue pages had a typo, you didn't recognize it, and just memorized the error, and said it during your high school drama class (?)...I would've loved to have been a witness to your rendition, because, guy---THAT is a TOUGH verse-monologue to deliver with passion & commitment!!!! And ANYone who attempts to do it has an infinitely larger cargo carrier between his legs than this dude! 🤔🤨😉 Congrats for pulling it off...and if you've got that kind of talent and drive, I wouldn't be surprised if hadn't been "discovered" by now...all the best to you! 👋👍👌👊🤓😎

11 More Replies...

@Seasofgenius

3y↑2.7K

Pure cinematic brilliance. I love how Nicholson wields his voice like an instrument, modulating between contempt and rage, and how his eyes narrow at the right moments to heighten the stunning impact of this scene.

@burnerburner4074

3y↑19

The way his nose moved as well you can feel the emotions coming out of him.

@connman8d617

3y↑26

If you watch closely, you can even see a very brief sarcastic smile form in the corners of his mouth when he's throwing shade.

@UnfamiliarPlace

3y↑30

What's more, it takes a very good actor to deliver the extremely Sorkin-esque line "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" in a dramatic way, building in intensity to a climax on the syntactic inversion "in which I provide it", instead of the very dry line it could have been!

@vinsanity982

2y↑8

Also when he slips in that subtle smirk when he says "YOU WANT me on that wall. YOU NEED me on that wall". It's brilliant

@theredflannelchannel7820

2y↑3

Well put!

8 More Replies...

@williamvasilakis9619

3y↑5.6K

Brilliant acting. He hit the colonel's narcissism perfectly.

@Schtauffen04

3y↑183

This moment wasn't even SCRIPTED, the actor forgot his lines and said that, beautiful improvision

@hashimdoe1832

3y↑131

The Colonel was right and he was wrong. With great power comes great responsibility. What I have a problem with is why does the word NOT have an r in it

@adrianionutroncea2194

2y↑48

Boy the Colonel is the victim here

@draneym2003

2y↑78

It's as if the military and narcissism go hand in hand

@Ecurrie84

2y↑17

Of course it does, how else can they have soldiers justify murdering others without it?

78 More Replies...

@shroom736

43w↑223

For those who don’t know or forgot, the original line was “you already have the truth” but Jack Nicholson improvised the line we have today.

@monkeybusiness8516

32w↑19

I didn't know that, did he really improvise and said instead of "You already have the truth", "You can't handle the truth?"
If this is true, Jack Nicholson made this scene, a hundred times better, and gave a better view of it's meaning.
I have no words.

@gamingfireball3257

21w↑2

I genuinely did not know the original line was "You already have the truth". That's an amazing bit of information to know, seeing as this movie came out eleven years before I was born

@user-xd6pt1yq9t

21w

Is this true?? Wooow!! Huge actor 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

@JaleelWhitee

20w

@@monkeybusiness8516you just typed a paragraph stoopid

@williamroux3713

3y↑473

30 years later and I still get chills watching this scene. The performances from Jack and Tom on this scene are nothing short of AMAZING!

@RalphieMuskinyaar

2y↑931

Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise had the best scene of their careers together during this. It always amazes how good they both are.

@Socon19

2y↑23

For Jack in my opinoin is One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Nest and for Tom was the Last Samurai but this was straight perfection! Nonetheless these guys are amazing!!! but then again we have The Shinning, Top Gun, Interview with the Vampire, Rain Main, and many more from them!!!

@azneau28

2y↑8

It's amazing how jacks line about freedom and people being hypocritical in regards to how it's provided i,s accurate.

@pluckyduck11y

1y↑6

@Socon19 I agree. Both actors possibly have better scenes in other movies (Cuckoo's Nest for Jack, and Magnolia for Cruise), but what's incredible is this scene has two of their best performances together in the same back and forth.

@michaelbecket4901

1y↑1

Movie name please and where can i watch it?

@roba.8907

1y↑1

@MICHAEL BECKET A Few Good Men

6 More Replies...

@OmegaWolf747

5y↑1.9K

Gotta love Jack Nicholson. He can play everything from a mental patient, to the Joker, to this guy.

@sallydaniel1023

5y↑61

My favorite is the psychopath he played in "The Shining" ....gives me chills every time

@linkbiff1054

4y↑4

To a man with Aspergers to a hyper sailor.

@joshuahenderson

4y↑17

Which, basically, are all the same person.

@omegajrz1269

4y↑1

@link biff What character of Jack Nicholson has asperger?

@linkbiff1054

@Agustín Morquio People often interpret Bobby from Five Easy Pieces as having Asperger's.

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@IIZBrett

3y↑831

Everyone remembers the "you can't handle the truth*
But the moment he shouts "you're God damn right I did" echoes through my very being

@laceymisquadis2760

2y↑1

Yess

@victoriastable1

2y↑20

I remember "you want the truth, you can't handle the truth". But its different now. now it's "you want ANSWERS, you can't handle the truth" welcome to the mandela effect. End times are here.

@victoriastable1

2y↑4

@chris falkenberg Jesus is the ONLY way. God bless you.

@pneumonoultramicroscopicsi9464

2y↑2

It's like he's letting out every single amount of brilliant acting in his body

@SpectaclePictures

1y↑1

Yes much stronger with great timing and crazy reaction from Tom.

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@Anakele20

1y↑407

I cannot understand how actors like these distance themselves from amatuers. It's unreal how many decisions Jack made during his monologue with his voice, posture, face, eyes, mouth...just so much orchestrated excellence. I wonder if aliens would ever appreciate acting.

@Mr-Bogs

1y↑1

What do you mean by distancing themselves from amatuers? I don't understand...

@Ranger1812

1y↑10

@Mr. Bogs I think he means how they know how to do their craft so perfectly, how they have the raw talent and such developed skill.

@Mr-Bogs

@@BenLovegood Ohhh, that makes sense. I was reading it a completely different way haha. Thanks

@Ranger1812

@Mr. Bogs It took me a few seconds to figure it out.

@Wintershot11

1y↑4

I'm with you. It starts with great writing. The economy of words and their power is exquisite. The to have someone take then, internalize them and then send them back our not as two-dimensons on a page, but a spinning Rubik's cube of emotion and meaning that has been solved for on all sides. It's truly remarkable. This is absolutely one of, if not my favourite movie scene of all time.

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@keithklein9961

1y↑247

I love how he says “tragic”. It drips with sarcasm without betraying too much of his character

@Ranger1812

1y↑14

I haven't seen the film but it didn't sound sarcastic at all.

@campfortson4387

1y↑9

@Ben Lovegood More angry and exasperated, but not glibly sarcastic

@LordWout

1y↑8

Looks to me like he just said it without giving it too much thought, like it's not important at all to him.

@austinzobel4613

20w

Its subtle how he blinks... almost to signify him reigning his momentous thoughts backwards for a moment. You could read that it was a bit forced to say the word "tragic".. either that he had to force himself to think of how it was "tragic"... or he was to give it weight...

I couldn't call it sarcastic, because for it to be sarcasm, it has to be more sure which of the two (he Doesnt care, or Does care) is reality... so that the juxtoposition of two opposites (with one being more clear than the other) is felt sharply... as to make a point

He seems more decided its one way... he is saying its "tragic" and "important" with the way he speaks it... His eyes do show he's forcing it... but this doesn't automatically contrast to the opposite strongly... it doesn't necessarily betray in an obvious way that he actually feels the opposite of what he's saying (where he would think its unimportant) ... it just shows he potentially doesn't want to admit something... or at best is giving it more consideration in a moment...

If he does feel the opposite and DOESNT CARE, he would never want to "make the point" or communicate strongly, so sarcasm would quickly be the wrong tool to use. Its lying, or intention to consider

@TheSaniss

19w

@@austinzobel4613 I agree. His eyes betray him, because he almost never blinks for the whole duration of the monologue. He's in power. But when he says "tragic", he blinks several times and seems like he's losing control for a second, as if the word was forced out of his mouth. He had to say it, but doesn't believe one bit that Santiago's death was tragic.

This monologue is an acting masterclass. It's phenomenal.

@lizmenon1539

4y↑110

Jack Nocholson is unbeatable and inimitable in this film, just as in all his other films! And his speech in court was spellbinding and I watch it sitting on the edge of my seat everytime I watch it!

@sonofgoon8855

2y↑113

Scenes like these are just another reason I love films. They become iconic in pop culture and eventually transcend the films they were in, becoming an embodiment of acting. At the same time they pique people’s interest in where they originated and lead people to movies that they may not have heard of, keeping films alive.

@thejjjs7786

29w↑1

Very well said.

@derrickthompson4146

4y↑2.3K

Why Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson didn't win Oscars for these roles is beyond me.

@faraazkhan7655

3y↑145

Jack Nicholson was nominated for the best supporting actor. However he lost to the legend gene Hackman for unforgiven

@Rodenson1314

3y↑90

Apparently Gene Hackman in Unforgiven and Al Pacino in Scent of a Woman were just a little better that year

@hussaint5921

3y↑71

Tbh Gene Hackman was incredible in Unforgiven.

@brianchang7538

3y↑13

Agreed. This film is my all time favorite.

@russelconor8704

3y↑18

Nicholson - I agree but he won for other films and Oscars are often bs when many brilliant actors didn't win for the roles they should've won. As for Cruise, I don't agree - he was great in this scene, but the role, overall, was that great.

28 More Replies...

@SilentKnight43

48w↑41

Even after all these years and dozens of times watching this - goosebumps. Keifer Sutherland said other actors who had the day off came in to watch Jack's performance - even Demi Moore's husband Bruce Willis came from another movie set to watch. Keifer said he'd never seen that happen on any other movie he'd worked on. Testimony to Jack's great acting.

@keithwellerlounge74

4y↑575

I love the message of this film. The perception is that the army are heroes, but this film says that heroism and morality comes from an individual, it has nothing to with your title, job or what the perception is. People are so caught up in perception these days.

@MSWSB

2y↑4

People don’t need what a “Film says”. We gain nothing by perceiving arrogant lawyers as heroes. Heroism comes from being part of something bigger than the individual.
Entertainment: A+, Message F

@spacemann1425

2y↑25

@Michael Smith I don't agree with that. The lawyer here is 100% a hero because he went above and beyond to get two innocent men the justice they deserved

@Soldier4USA2005

2y↑2

@Spaceman N That's not being a hero. That's doing his job.

@alexloeher8628

2y↑1

@Michael Smith if heroics just comes as working as part of a machine, then it's no heroism, it's just mindless order following. Then what happens when those orders are misguided or worse, evil? Then you just have a bunch of dumbfucks enabling evil in the name of good. Sorry, but this is bootlicking mentality and it's how America deluded its civilians that every war it wages is just by virtue of the government saying it is. Be a complacent little cog if you want to, but that doesn't sound much different than what we say about our enemies that we vilify

@Soldier4USA2005

2y↑2

@10 Downing Street They're talking about the movie, not actual military life.

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@coastdaze748

2y↑37

One of THE most powerful scenes in moviedom, imo. Even when I watch it again & again, it still captivates me and holds my attention. Both men are spot on with their lines and facial emotions! Whew...

@elementrypenguin3116

3y↑42

Probably the greatest, most jaw dropping, most riveting scene by Jack Nicholson in any movie he’s been in. Phenomenal.

@TheGuidermichael

1y↑14

I watched this 20 years ago and was blown away. This scene still gives me chills, but especially with 20 more years of life behind me. Nicholson's acting in this is really impressive and not just this scene, although this scene does give me chills and his words have even more impact on me now. This movie is too intense for me to sit and watch all the way through, but I watch this scene on occasion because it is so stirring.

@andreimileti

5y↑9.4K

Nicholson gets made fun of a lot for demanding insanely high paychecks, but when you watch scenes like this, it's obvious he's earned every penny.

@CronoXpono

5y↑484

Apparently he also did this scene several damn times over. So yeah, get your money Jack lol

@tiaaaron3278

5y↑123

@Lonely Lasagna Brando had range,Jack sadly doesn't. He's given incredible,nuanced performances like this one but he fell into playing crazy Jack Nicholson over and over again.

@lonmcq7317

5y↑120

@Tia Aaron Sorry, but Brando was waaaaay overrated... A TV actor at best...

@tiaaaron3278

5y↑86

@Wil Andersen Okay...

@millaz26

5y↑1

well said!

95 More Replies...

@jacobambach8143

3y↑59

First time I watched this film yesterday and was already familiar with the iconic "you can't handle the truth" line. An absolute masterpiece

@gustavo4475

2y↑35

“You have the luxury of not knowing what I know”. What a line

@sidsm3978

2y↑28

Jack was brilliant in this, as always. He's retired now, but he gave us all so many moments that we enjoyed and cherish. thanks Jack!

@rennnnsemml

2y↑50

This is one of the best movie scenes Hollywood ever ever ever created.
absolutely outstanding.

@VyDa_OsLo

3y↑10

This is my absolute number 1 scene of all time, and I am not even a fan of Jack. I don't wanna like it, but the goosebumps I get every time I see him doing this scene, tell me I can't ignore it. A true masterpiece, brought by perfection!

@LastlyMore

4y↑5K

Tom Cruise held his own against Nicholson. Great acting by both.

@katelewis536

4y↑124

Oh come on, barely

@gopherstate777

4y↑79

@Kate Lewis I'm with you Kate, he's hanging on by his teeth (which are extremely white for his closeup).

@manjeetsen4940

4y↑68

Jack Nicholson pissed over his face.

@wingz350

4y↑76

I like Cruise but there was a little overacting in this scene

@pfury67

4y↑47

Cruise can't handle the truth that he was the only weak actor in this movie.

Cruise is not a good actor, in any film. He always is the center stage man that gets carried by surrounding actors. He is as one dimensional as it gets.

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@TylerLuvsCinema

4y↑25

Hands down one of the best monologues in cinematic history.

@paulreiffel1127

3y↑13

You can't handle the truth is obviously the most famous line yet the passion with which the Cruiser delivers "I want the truth!!!" is tremendous.

@connman8d617

3y↑12

Tom Cruise is great in this scene, but Nicholson sends chills down your spine.

@davidlagunas2709

45w↑12

I just saw this scene for the first time in my 31 years of life , and wow what a masterpiece of a scene this is , the vocabulary and grammar of words and intensity used is in this scene alone does it for me💯💯💯

@PsyChoAnaLize

2y↑19

Jack Nicholson repeated his famous courtroom monologue as Colonel Jessep off-camera several times so Rob Reiner could film the reactions of other actors and actresses 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. Nicholson said he was "quite spent" by the time he finished.

@johnsmithee6660

4y↑8.7K

Imagine being the director telling Jack Nicholson that he forgot to hit record with the camera during this scene

@DarthRelkew

4y↑773

Then Jack goes "You can HANDLE the camera!"

@T.R.U.T.H..

4y↑689

It would not have mattered. Nicholson was reported to have repeatedly practiced that scene off camera many times in EXACTLY the same way he did in the final cut scene. He was paid 5 million dollars (reported) for 11 days work and by this scene you can see why!

@PintuSingh-yq4eg

4y↑95

I don't think the director was shooting with Nokia 6600 that he forgot to press the record button

@robmaddison8645

4y↑37

I'm sorry John but your attempt to create a hypothetical scenario to make one appreciate more the excellence of Nicholson here has become a statement for criticism. What a sad state of affairs. Remember Jessup didn't rip anyones heart out, or order a firing squad, but the power, control and narcissism Jack projects here is totally believable and frightening.

@StijnVerrept

4y↑75

There is an interview with Rob Reiner (the director) where he asked if Nicholson wanted to be shot first, or if he wanted him to film the reactions of Cruise, Demi, etc first to let him come into it. Apparently during all these shots Nicholson gave it his 100% and the actual take was no different than the ones before.

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@westcoasthighway379

3y↑12

Great movie. Amazing performance by all. Everyone was on their A game. Jacks performance was about as real as it gets in film

@jarrydbeats4125

2y↑11

Imagine being the crew filming this scene. I wonder if anyone knew they were taking part in a piece of history. I would have goosebumps sitting behind the camera/boom mic etc.

@jacobreyes5357

1y↑22

Nicholson was at his very best in this role. Brilliant actor.

@alejandroriquelme5278

4y↑13

An amazing scripted monologue played to perfection by one of the best Hollywood actors and movie stars ever. People tkind of forget how amazing Nicholsons career is/was and the amount of amazing performances that he provided over 40 years (easy rider/five easy pieces/carnal knowledge/last detail/chinatown/the passenger/cuckoos nest/the shinning/reds/terms of endearment/the border/prizzis honor/ironweed/batman/crossing guard/as good as it gets/the pledge/about schmidt/the departed).

@justinwysocke9032

35w↑5

Some incredible energy in this dialogue, it’s like watching the values and morals of two different generations confronting one another head-on

@907liondancer2

4y↑3.2K

The acting in this was... Flawless. Sheer Perfection.

@duskolemez9171

907 Lion Dancer parenjekonjs koza svinj

I da
Domačr životinjd

@paveantelic7876

4y↑5

@Dusko Lemez daj broj dilera

@danieldickson8591

4y↑23

I did think Cruise went a little over the top, but Nicholson was sublime, unsurprisingly.

@DP-zd8fr

4y↑3

I guess you meant Jack's. No one else acted in this scene.

@Mohamed-uf9bz

3y↑31

@Joseph David tom cruise did very well in this scene.

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@LinkRocks

21w

What a brilliant performance from Jack and Tom. It's a treat watching two of the best in the same scene.

@rizq134

3y↑13

It's incredible that Jack Nicholson can deliver those lines without blinking even once...

@Cityheart221

3y↑8

I love this movie. I felt the actors stood well together alone and with one another. Wish the character played by Kevin Bacon had more scenes.

@thejjjs7786

29w

He’s so terribly underrated.

@wolf5rain

3y↑8

What makes the movie great is that it doesn't judge, it just shows us the truth. Then it makes us THINK.

@keepthefaith-theconcerttribute

2y↑7

This never gets old!! Such brilliant performances all around!

@sefutho

5y↑1.9K

One of the best scripts ever, performed by the best in the business.

@vantagev8331

4y↑20

Oh, this scene is a thing of beauty.

@norpriest521

4y↑9

@Vantage V8 go watch 12 Angry Men.
That's the best movie ever

@GeneralBulldog54

4y↑3

@mohlodi tshimollo
Aaron Sorkin wrote this right?

@sefutho

4y↑1

@A. T. Smith not sure, but I'm gonna try to find out.

@raghavsharma111

4y↑1

@A. T. Smith yes

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@JasonSkyWalker

19w

It just hit me that Jack Nicholson‘s performance is so flawless that it could’ve been anybody in Tom Cruise’ role and it still would’ve been brilliant!

@RoyJones.

36w↑6

One of the most iconic movie lines in cinematic history.

@dorothyspeaks6997

36w↑7

“You want me on that wall, you NEED me on that wall!” Love the way that line is delivered!!! Go Jack!!!

@Touhid

3y↑1.8K

Just finished the book 📖 called Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
Watching a proper example of it.
Jack was paid $5 million for three scenes only in 91/92. $10 million today inflation adjusted. It was definitely worth it. 💯💛

@cards0486

3y↑155

When they sat down for the table read, the first time the cast was together, Kevin Pollack said Nicholson put everything he had into his lines. He didn’t just slide through them. That’s usually the case at the introductory table read.
And when this sequence was being filmed, on days when the camera shots centered on Tom Cruise and/or others Nicholson was there anyway.
Usually if an actor, especially one of his caliber, isn’t going to be in the film shot that day there is an assistant reading the lines so the actors being filmed have their prompts.
Jack Nicholson was there every day they were shooting his court scene. Totally off camera he delivered his lines the same way we see him do it.
He taught those young actors what a professional is.

@westonadams7135

3y↑81

@60sTeen You're God damn right he did!

@MikeZak101

3y↑23

it was worth it just for him not blinking through the whole scene

@maximummatt73

3y↑20

He can't handle the cash

@Adones09

3y↑16

@60sTeen I saw an interview with the director and he did everything to get Jack out early, not to just stand in for the other actors to play off of, giving it full intensity each time and like you said, actor of his caliber don't usually do that, but in his cool J.N. way brushed it off and said that he loves acting. Legend

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@loeserlegal

1y↑8

Some of the best acting by Cruise & Nicholson ever - actually, some of the best acting period. Once that movie starts, I can just forget about the next 2 hours.

@bianca684

7y↑7.6K

You know they're amazing actors when you can literally feel them spitting on you.

@fixedfocusfilm3068

7y↑74

Chachi Marie Your profile pic fits your comment.

@bianca684

7y↑38

hahahah

@valentineoreilly1837

7y↑12

I felt it

@LeWildSister

6y↑5

Chachi Marie 😂

@Water-Kid

6y↑3

Chachi Marie hahaha yea

47 More Replies...

@pizzatime7433

3y↑31

The acting from cruise and Nicholson in this scene is phenomenal

@quietside3734

2y↑11

"You want me on that wall, you need me on that wall!"

I love his delivery of this speech. Perfection.

@DanielWayShadow

2y↑15

Great acting AND great writing. Well done. You feel the CHARACTERS totally. Which is riveting.

@ajpat9620

2y↑1

And to this day, that scene was so riveting that it's used as a meme to attack woke yellow pink liberals in the Philippines, of which they can't handle the truth that they screwed up the Philippines, and showing their hypocrisy and failure, of which the Marcoses including BBM now take advantage against the woke yellow/pink liberals.

@thejjjs7786

29w

That’s Aaron Sorkin’s writing for you. In the right hands, it always comes out great. Amazing performance by Nicholson.

@jeybo2729

4y↑9

I watch this scene very often and get chills almost every time

@user-xd6pt1yq9t

21w

No me canso de ver esta escena, tremendas actuaciones de esros 2 titanes, Jack and Tom hicieron de esta mi pelicula favorita

@ericwsmith7722

9y↑534

I tell you, every one loves the line "you cant handle the truth" but jack Nicolson's whole speech after that is why he is one of the greatest actors of are time. And kudos to the writers also.

@alwillk

8y↑8

+eric wsmith No, the best line is one of the last lines of the film where Tom Cruise says "Harold you don't need a patch on your shoulder to have honor"

@SirVonStein

8y↑1

I will agree he is a great actor in this clip, but the speech is bullshit fluff haha

@ericwsmith7722

8y↑5

+Von Stein ---- Kind of disagree a little bit, as earlier in the movie "Kappys " whole theory was that "cornel Jessup" wanted to tell it the way it is, and felt interference from the court of even his own superiors did not out weigh his own decision. He did not want to hide how he does his job.... hero mentality .

@britz9418

7y↑17

Yes!..My favourite part is the 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 I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it!" so good man.

@arsonhakobyan

True. But it's that same stubbornness that also cost him his freedom.

3 More Replies...

@midnalazuli793

37w↑4

In my opinion, the moment that Kaffee says "I think I'm entitled" is the moment he has Jessup right where he wants him.
He struck the bullseye on his most critical weak point: his ego.
Jessup can't fathom the fact that a mere attorney, who has never served a day in the marines, nor put his life on the line to defend his country, has the audacity to claim he has the right to question a commanding officer's intent.

@The_Paragon

2y↑10

This is one of the most well crafted scenes in any film to date

@SankofaNYC

2y↑6

"You don't want the truth because deep down in place you don't talk about at parties... you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall"

yooo definitely one of best lines in cinema history... there are sooo many levelssss to this

@dianariverjackson5123

3y↑7

My top 3 favorite movies of all time
The script, the acting, the set, the story line, the actors is the impeccable

@wangson

2y↑5

What a great, classic scene. One of the greatest I've seen in all the cinema I've consumed.

@jarekgunther

5y↑2.9K

It's astoundingly staggering that people miss the point of this scene. Jessup forged a signature, covered up a murder, pinned the blame on two Marines, and ultimately--committed perjury to keep his hands clean. He's trying to make Kaffee look like a bleeding heart while praising the hardships Marines go through to protect this country as an excuse for what he did.

Seriously though, damn fine acting!

@jarekgunther

5y↑79

@DietSnowLOL Believe it or not, I know a person in real life who've defended Jessup. Sad, no?

@York22

5y↑119

Jarek Gunther they clearly believe that some should be above the law merely because they are in the military or they support someone in elected office not realizing how dangerous and terrifying that is

@jarekgunther

5y↑24

@Cameron Williams You are absolutely correct. 😕

@markarmage3776

5y↑29

@Cameron Williams They guy isn't above the law because he's in the military, he's above the law because he can justify with action using logic and facts, which in any case, if you can,you are already above the law.
Law isn't the absolute measure of something, laws are guidelines, written lines suggesting what is the right thing to do, that's why you need a lawyer to make your case, and argue in front of court because the law is always unclear, not fully written, full of holes and easily misinterpreted. Jessup completely justify his action here, you think a soldier in WW2 would be treated too harsh if he black mail his commander, his comrade and get a "reminder".
Go back to school, kid, you're way over your head.

@York22

5y↑136

Mark Armage logic and facts doesn’t make you above the law. Once you start setting a precedent that certain people are above the law your going down a very dark and dangerous path. He gave an order and someone was murdered and then committed forgery and doctored documents and perjured himself . Jessup was wrongly charged in your view and what he did was perfectly ok to
You?

88 More Replies...

@RspwN217

2y↑6

Just saw this masterpiece, wish I had amnesia so I could watch it again, brilliant acting and script from the beggining to the end!

@spicytrash4981

4y↑3

This scene is a thing of beauty. Tremendous acting, but Jack takes the scene.

@Darkmanx644

1y↑9

Scene always gives me chills

@haroldwilson950

1y↑1

Me too, because guys like him really exist in real life...

@larsjj2794

1y↑3

Jack Nicholson's best performance. And that's saying A LOT

And that "You're goddamn right I did!" hit's like a sledgehammer

@PrimalElf

21w↑1

One of the greatest quotes of all time
,,You Can't Handle the Truth"

@ovichitayat5796

4y↑314

Nicholson is top 5 all time. I read down here that he demands 'insanely' high paychecks. He deserves every penny. One of the few that can make you think he is, in fact, the character he's playing. Never once in his life did he act the 'normal' guy, always eccentric, always offbeat always perfection.

@franklloyd6769

2y↑2

He did an Andy Griffith once as a normal guy…find it, I expected him to do more…

@davidknn2

I need to watch this

@midnalazuli793

Jack couldn’t act normal if he tried… there are times where I think he might really be insane, lol.

@mr.l8723

1y↑51

This film truly captured the realization of the military.

@kimcornwall4246

3y↑11

Gives me chills every time! I wonder if Peter Dinklage got his inspiration from this scene.

@daredevil272

3y↑4

The courtroom scene is one of the best scenes in this film. Jack Nicholson was OUTSTANDING in this film👍👍😄and so was Tom Cruise and Demi Moore

@PakiFighter

3y↑88

«You WANT me on that wall, you NEED me on that wall.»
«Either way, I don’t give a dam what you think you are entitled to»
the delievery by Jack is bonechilling

@russs7574

1y↑2

Two and a half minutes of Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson bringing out the best in each other.

@manuelf.almeida

7y↑298

One of the best scenes of cinema history. Pure art. Cruise + Nicholson at their finest.

@ballistaguard9772

5y↑4

As a kid, having no interest in movies, even I knew the line "You can't handle the truth". You're right.

@leifberg3379

3y↑14

Jack and Tom both deserved an Oscar for this 47 second screen time

@guillermovaccarezza7105

2y↑5

You can't handle the greatness of Jack's performance!! What a master!

@allys744

23w

I love how his monologue was basically an attempt to lead the question astray. So he starts pointing fingers and defending his actions without admitting to anything. I will say that the line between 1:38-1:49 was pretty well written.

@mrvendetajb

3y↑3

You just can't deny the amazing talent of Jack Nicholson... 👍👍👍

@irisbudd6452

2y↑3

This is Hollywood at its best. Of course all this would never be allowed in a real court room, but I have to give it to Hollywood, this is some amazing acting!!!!

@DerekWilliamsMusic

8y↑441

One of the greatest performances in cinematic history. All-time favourite from an all-time favourite actor.

@NaseerAhmed-sc5bl

Derek Williams if this was real the general walk free no action taken even if he ordered code red

@tintheparktinthepark7976

1y↑4

I never had a favourite movie until now, but this one is ace. And Cruise is an excellent actor

@marcusulpiustraianus6096

3y↑73

One of the best scenes in movie history.

@jaded165

3y↑6

the most legendary dialogue for a movie ever written. And I haven't even watched the damn film, but somehow know the entire scene word for word. Mannnnnn.

@invisibleone8344

2y↑2

One of the most powerful scenes ever filmed in cinematic history !!!!

@Jbb7272

2y↑6

Every eye twitch, every face muscle flex, voice inflection and posture change is on point. Something that’s missing these days. To reliant on special effects rather than straight up acting performance.

@tecumseh_g1931

5y↑30

One of cinematic history's greatest monologues. Everytime I watch it I get chills right up my spine

@dannysjida

5.56&9mm kindaguy
Lim shut up in plain words or fester the payout slip and pills 💊

@dannysjida

line before its convenient to confiscate the entire A-Z on your fabrics in five states

@vantagev8331

4y↑1

Nicholson just smashes a home run. A cinematic masterpiece.

@MarvelMTs

31w↑1

I would have never imagined that a movie about a military court martial would be emotionally gripping and have my eyes glued to the screen. But I have been proven wrong by Jack, Tom and Demi, and I don’t mind at all. Jack, Tom, Demi, thank you

@adrianbarnettcurrece-hoey6408

2y↑2

“YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH” and “YOU GOTDAMN RIGHT I DID” them my favorites in that movie, I always bust out laughing 😂😂😂😂😂

@collapsingagain

31w↑1

everyone is talking about nicholson's performance but good god who wrote this scene?! so good.

@IvanAgram

1y↑7

He is 85 years now... what a performance he gave here... truly a master of his trade.

@bigying

2y↑14

I wonder how many generals or admirals can deliver a speech like col. jessup on the fly like that. that was damn powerful.

@thegame346

When its something that has been burning inside you like a fire gone out of control...at the right moment you will say every single solitary thing that you've held back forever.

@mankind71

@ChairForceOne ...and pay the price for it like Jessup did! That arrogance!😒

@mmmoroi

5y↑345

No actor could do a better job than Cruise, when it comes to acting as a young, cheeky but exceptionally talented lawyer. (also as in "The Firm" (1993) ) And this scene was 1000 times more energized thanks to the explosively professional acting by Nicholson, as usual.

@tiaaaron3278

5y↑2

He wasn't cheeky in The Firm though. He was calmer and collected and sorta innocent in that one.

@manuelvpr

4y↑9

I do not like Tom Cruise very much, but I have to agree that this movie along with The Firm are his best movies, and show that he can act. The only over acting was in the way he drank the glass of water, he tried to over shake just so that the camera could capture the character's nervousness. Nicholson is way better, but this is a role he was just perfect for.

I do not get tired of watching this over and over again, this is just one of the best movie scenes ever.

@Sharky165

4y↑2

@Manuel Paez Cruise was excellent in "Rain Man" and "Born on the Fourth of July" as well. Those and the two you mention are by far his best 4 films in terms of serious acting.

@mmmoroi

@Manuel Paez Actually I cannot say I was too appreciative of his acting talent, while I happened to have seen his first film "Taps (1981)" in cinema which left me no more than a thought that there came just another good-looking lad in Hollywood. This impression remained until I saw this film and "The Firm". Yes, he can act, albeit in a fairly limited role, including also that of Ethan Hunt, especially in the latest two of the franchise, which did not require profundity but sheer action. No actor in his age can perform like that.

@manuelvpr

@mmmoroi Moroi i think he is good, but overrated.

3 More Replies...

@mendesnelson

2y↑4

My God - this is some of the finest acting I’ve ever seen. WOW!

@lukemendoza4263

38w↑1

Classic, incomparable, Jack Nicholson. Still my favorite Joker too, even though I give the same credence and respect to Heath Ledger.

@surpriseguest37

46w

They play those roles so well almost as if they were made for them. They didn't event have to put much thought into it, everything feels so natural, so real.

@pvitaljr1

3y↑3

This was a perfect scene in every way, including the dialogue.

@msanne23

3y↑2

Heard Reiner mention jack was so committed he would constantly walk around memorizing the lines
So muc so the cast had to literally drag him out of his rhythm. Classic