Private William Santiago, a United States Marine at the United States Navy's Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, on the south shore of the island of Cuba is a weak Marine who has a hard time physically keeping up and gets along poorly with his fellow Marines and has gone outside the chain of command to the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS) to request a transfer. Although Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Markinson requests that Santiago be transferred, his senior Base Commander Colonel Nathan Jessep instructs Lieutenant Jonathan James Kendrick, Private Santiago's platoon commander, to "train" Santiago. Soon afterward, Santiago dies. He was murdered, and the two Marines Lance Corporal Harold Dawson and Private First Class Louden Downey who broke into Santiago's dorm room and attacked him and stuffed a rag into his mouth / throat, will stand trial.
United States Navy's United States Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps) investigator and lawyer Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway believes Dawson and Downey may have carried out an illegal "code red" order: a brutal extrajudicial punishment that in recent years has been outlawed by military regulations. Santiago was ostensibly killed in retaliation for naming Corp. Dawson in a fenceline shooting into adjacent Cuban sovereign territory, but Lt. Cmdr. Galloway believes Santiago was killed as part of a premeditated plan or even conspiracy. Galloway wants to represent them, but the case is assigned to fellow Navy officer and lawyer Lieutenant (junior grade) Daniel Kaffee, a bumbling attorney who enjoys accepting plea bargain deals and avoiding drawn-out trials / court martials. Lt. Kaffee's casual attitude bothers intense driven Galloway, while Galloway annoys Kaffee with her female meddling and overbearing attitude.
At Guantanamo Bay, Kaffee and Galloway interrogate base commander Marine Corps Colonel Nathan Jessep and others. Jessep asserts that Santiago was supposed to be transferred off the base and sent back to America the following day. Marines Dawson and Downey reject their lawyer Lt. Kaffee's offer to enter into a plea agreement and receive a short six months sentence with government prosecutor U.S. Marine Captain Jack Ross, claiming that Kendrick gave them the "code red" order, that they never intended for Santiago to die and did nothing wrong. Cpl. Dawson thinks it is dishonorable and a violation of the Marines' strict code of honor for Kaffee to opt for a plea agreement rather than stand their ground in court. Kaffee in disgust and unable to understand their sense of morals, wants to be terminated from his position as counsel because he believes the case is worthless, that if they're found guilty, that they'll both be sentenced to long prison terms. Kaffee suddenly submits a not guilty plea on behalf of the accused at the arraignment. He explains to Galloway that the reason he was selected to handle the case was because he now thinks that the case was specifically assigned to him because of his reputation for quickly settling cases out of court with as little fuss as possible, that it was anticipated that he would take a fast plea deal and the case would then be closed, and swept away under the rug.
Lt. Col. Markinson tells Kaffee during their secretive covert meeting in Kaffee's car, and confirms to him that the code red order was actually given, then hidden, that Col. Jessep never requested Santiago be transferred. According to the defense, Cpl. Dawson was passed up for promotion because he had given food secretly to another Marine who had been on punishment and ordered to go without meals. The defense Kaffee now presents is a favorable picture of Dawson and shows that "code reds" had previously been authorized through Pvt. Downey. On the other hand, Downey claims under oath and cross-examination that he was not present when Dawson allegedly received the "code red" instructions. Lt. Col.Markinson then kills himself before he can testify because he feels guilty about not protecting a fellow Marine under his charge and being an informer / whistle-blower.
Kaffee thinks the case has been lost without Markinson's testimony. He complains that he fought the case rather than accepting a settlement as he returns home drunk. Galloway urges Kaffee to summon and get Jessep to testify on the stand under oath despite the possibility of facing court-martial for defying a superior officer.
When Kaffee brings up a discrepancy in Col. Jessep's testimony in court at the court-martial at the Washington Navy Yard—that his Marines never disobey orders and that Santiago was to be relocated for his own safety—he is disturbed. Jessep spars under Kaffee's interrogation. Considering that Jessep had told his men to leave Santiago alone, Kaffee wonders why he was still in danger. Jessep, disgusted by Kaffee's behavior, praises the military's contribution to national security as well as his own. Finally, Jessep admits with disdain and intense anger that he really did give the "code red" command. Then while attempting to leave the courtroom thinking he's above reproach or questioned, Jessep is then arrested by order of the observing military judges.
The murder and conspiracy charges against Dawson and Downey are dropped, but they are found guilty of lesser offenses of "conduct unbecoming" and will be dishonorably discharged. Dawson explains to his confused and non-comprehending friend that they failed to stand up for people who were too helpless to defend themselves, like Pvt. Santiago, while Downey is unsure what they did wrong. Lt. Kaffee tells Dawson that having honor does not require wearing a patch on one's arm. Dawson then snaps to attention, barking "there's an officer on deck" and smartly snaps off a salute to Lieutenant Kaffee and recognizes him as an officer to be respected (unlike his earlier contempt). Before prosecutor Ross leaves to arrest Kendrick, Kaffee and Ross give each other compliments as friends.
Characters
United States NavyJAG CorpsLieutenant Junior Grade Daniel A. Kaffee: The main lawyer who defends both Dawson and Downey. He starts as a plea-bargain-happy lawyer and, with help from Joanne Galloway, he develops into a lawyer who is willing to fight for his clients.
United States Marine CorpsPrivate First Class Louden Downey: One of the two men accused of the murder of Santiago. He is the quiet member of the two soldiers and lets Lance Corporal Dawson do the talking for him.
United States Navy JAG Corps Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway: A hardworking and determined lawyer who finds and brings light to the murder case.
United States Navy JAG Corps Captain Isaac Whitaker: The commanding officer in Washington. He sends Galloway to Guantanamo Bay.
United States Marine Corps Captain Matthew A. Markinson: Worked with Jessep and suggested moving Santiago.
United States Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Nathan R. Jessep: The commanding officer in Guantanamo Bay. He ordered the "Code Red" of Private Santiago.
United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Harold W. Dawson: One of the two men accused of the murder of Private Santiago.
United States Marine Corps First Lieutenant Jonathan James Kendrick: Santiago's platoon commander.
Several former Navy JAG lawyers have been proposed as the model for the character of Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, USN, JAG Corps. These include Donald Marcari, David Iglesias, and Walter Bansley III.[3][4] The court martial was Marcari's first big court case.[5] However, in a statement released by his spokeswoman, Sorkin said, "The character of Dan Kaffee in A Few Good Men is entirely fictional and was not inspired by any particular individual."[6]
Once Sorkin completed a draft, his theatrical agent sent it to producer David Brown, who wanted the film rights. Sorkin sold Brown the rights, getting Brown to agree to also produce A Few Good Men as a play.[7]
Premieres
A Few Good Men had its world premiere at the Heritage Repertory Theatre at the University of Virginia's Department of Drama on September 19, 1989.[8] It then transferred to the Kennedy Center.[7][9]
A Spanish-language production titled Hombres de Honor opened on January 10, 1991, at the Ferré Performing Arts Center in Puerto Rico, starring Cordelia González and Rafo Muñiz, directed by Pablo Cabrera.[11]
In January 1993 A Few Good Men had its premiere in German language at the Volkstheater, Vienna, Austria (translation: Gunther Baumann, director: Erhard Pauer, Daniel Kaffee: Alfons Haider). In the following years this production went on tour and was shown all over Germany, Switzerland and Austria (German title: Eine Frage der Ehre/A Question of Honor).
A revival of the play starring Rob Lowe in the role of LTJG Kaffee, Suranne Jones as LCDR Galloway, and John Barrowman as Capt. Ross opened at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, in late August 2005 for preview showings followed by a three-month run in early September 2005. The stage show was directed by David Esbjornson.
In 2006, the Hudson Shakespeare Company of New Jersey staged a production as part of their second stage for modern shows. The tour was presented in city courtrooms, directed by Jon Ciccarelli and featured notable New York City actors such as Jon Crefeld as LTJG Kaffee and Charles J. Roby as Col. Jessup.
It has also been performed in London, Oxford, and Portsmouth by amateur groups.
A Hungarian production of the play was performed at Madách Szinház, Budapest. It was directed by Imre Kerényi, starring Sándor Czvetkó, Éva Kerekes, and Gábor Koncz.
Indian writer Swadesh Deepak adapted the play into Hindi as Court Martial (1991) which served as the basis of the films Shaurya (2008) and Melvilasom (2011).
By the Book Theatre produced the play November 25, 2014, to December 6, 2014 at the McManus Studio Theatre, London, Ontario. The production won 4 Brickenden Awards including Outstanding Drama.
June 30, 2016, marked the opening of the Warehouse Studio Theatre production at The Noho Arts Center under the direction of Tony Pauletto and starring K. C. Clyde as Kaffee alongside Dennis LaValle as Jessup and Sarah Klein as Galloway.
In March 2016, NBC announced its intent to broadcast a live television production of A Few Good Men, starring Alec Baldwin as Col. Jessup, in the second quarter of 2018, with a teleplay adapted by Sorkin from his original script. The broadcast would be executive produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and patterned upon NBC's ongoing series of live Broadway musicals.[12] However, NBC has yet to announce an airdate. Variety reported that the availability of Sorkin, Zadan, and Meron may have had an impact, noting that Sorkin had to represent his 2017 film Molly's Game during awards season, while Zadan and Meron (who have produced all of NBC's live musicals) were committed to other projects (such as Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert in 2018, and a later canceled production of Hair in 2019) being produced by NBC in lieu of Bye Bye Birdie, which had been delayed multiple times in order to accommodate Jennifer Lopez's other projects.[13] Zadan died on August 20, 2018, at the age of 69.[14]
The play is based on events that took place at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in July 1986, though various details were changed for dramatic purposes. Members of Rifle Security Company, Windward Side, 2nd Platoon believed that one of their number, Pfc. William Alvarado, was a malingerer and had informed about a Marine firing across the border into Cuba.[3] In a retaliatory hazing (called a "Code Red"), ten Marines seized Alvarado, blindfolded him, stuffed a rag in his mouth, beat him, and shaved his head.[3] Alvarado was seriously injured, but did not die.[3] Of the ten Marines, seven accepted other than honorable discharges as part of a plea bargain, but three, including David Cox, refused to accept the plea bargain and went to court.[3] Cox was defended by Don Marcari. Cox was found not guilty of aggravated battery but guilty of the misdemeanor charge of simple assault. He was sentenced to time already served in the brig and returned to active duty.[3]
Cox was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1989. When he saw the film version of A Few Good Men, he was upset at the liberties taken with the event, most notably that the Marines in the case were dishonorably discharged, and considered suing the filmmakers. Cox disappeared in 1994. He was found murdered, along a riverbank near Medfield, Massachusetts.[3]
