Hard Knox (1984) - full transcript
A retired fighter pilot becomes the head of his alma matter military high school for two weeks with hilarious consequences. He shapes up the school and raises morale so that they are able to win the "brass-axe" competition versus another local military academy.
(rumbling)
- [Radio Pilot] Fight's on!
(whooshing)
(muffed radio speaking)
Tracking, tracking now!
Off the left door.
Clear fire!
He's flying four o'clock
Get to Knox, Blizzard!
(whooshing)
- [Knox On Radio] Blizzard,
you're not gonna get me
on six o'clock today.
(rumbling)
- [Older Pilot] Blizzard.
Your nose is up.
How can you get him,
Knox, with your nose up.
Upload the damn thing!
(rumbling)
You got him, Goose?
Good luck!
Blizzard, get the son of a...
Blizzard, don't overshoot!
Come on! Come on!
(whooshing)
- [Blizzard] Moving now!
- [Goose] Nothing behind you.
- [Stinger] Damn it!
I lost him.
He could take us!
- [Knox] It's a good thing you got him.
Good luck!
Knock it off!
Knock it off for altitude!
- [Blizzard] You call knock it off?
- [Knox] I said, knock it off!
Okay?
We're out of here.
(exciting music)
(pleasant music)
(tires screeching)
- Went into that last slice turn,
we were pulling some heavy G's.
I thought I was gonna explode.
That was downright painful.
- You'll never believe this, Goose.
When I first started
flying, I was as tall as you
and skinny as a rail.
- Yes, sir.
- Relax, it's only gonna
hurt for a little while.
- [Blizzard] I can beat him, damn it.
I know I can beat him.
- A footrace, maybe.
- Everybody got all
their fingers and toes?
- Sir.
- Good.
Top, you're looking at me.
- I am, sir.
- What now?
- Wing Commander.
- General Green?
Why?
- Did not take him into
his confidence, sir.
Flew in 30 minutes ago.
- Tell him I'll cut my debrief
short and be right there.
- Yes, sir.
- Gentlemen, as you know,
the machine never lies.
Cut the tape.
You buried your nose.
Never drop your nose.
You're pure vertical here.
What's happening is the boggy
is coming down from the top
and you're trying to break his altitude.
He can early turn you and boom,
end of 20 million dollar aircraft
that the Marines on the ground
are depending on for fire support.
And more importantly,
I have to pay a condolence
call on your parents.
Review this tape over and over
and over again.
Blizzard, would you step
outside with me a moment please?
Contrary to anything you
may think, Lieutenant,
I have every confidence
that you can fly the F-4.
In the class room, the simulator,
you're top of the class
and I respect that.
But you get up there,
you perform way below your capabilities.
- Yes, sir, I don't know.
I know what to do.
I lay awake at night thinking.
I go over every detail
in my mind and I think--
- I know you can think, Lieutenant,
now show me that you can fly.
You think it's rough with me on your butt?
Get a MiG back there
and it could be fatal.
Now we're going back up tomorrow,
we're going to repeat the maneuver.
Make the same mistake again,
you know where you're going to be?
- Yes, sir.
- See you in the morning.
- All right, sir.
- Hey, Joe.
Good to see you.
- It's good to see you too, sir.
Is my readiness report
in the wrong form or something, General?
- Oh, your readiness reports are fine.
It's a little more serious than that.
- How serious, sir?
- Joe, you're grounded.
"Avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
"Top of subject's hipbone
is deteriorating."
You coulda had a heart attack,
you coulda had a stroke.
- No appeal, sir?
- No appeal.
- What's that, sir?
- Promotional warrant to brigadier general
on your new assignment.
Come on, Joe.
I'm walking proof that
there's life after flying.
- Say you married a beautiful woman,
you have two beautiful children,
now grandchildren.
My kids are cocky know-nothing
Marine fighter pilots,
my wife sits out there on the tarmac,
she drinks 10 gallons a second
at 14 hundred miles an hour.
When I ask her to roll over,
my God, she rolls over.
No desk, sir.
- Joe, no desk, no star.
Now before you carry away
and pull a Hard Knox on me,
this is what you're gonna do.
30 days leave starting in
10 seconds.
And when you get back, I'll
see if I can get you a desk
with wings on it.
- Thank you, sir.
- [Top] Ten-hut!
- [General] Carry on.
- Trouble, Colonel?
- Top, how many years
have we been together, 27?
- 29, one capacity or another.
- We ever sit down
together and have a drink?
- No, sir, I don't
recollect we ever sat down
and had a drink together, face on.
- Let's have a drink, face on.
- Get up!
Get up!
- Ten-hut!
- [Knox] As you where.
(exciting rock music)
- [Young Man] Do we
see the brass anywhere?
- Don't you know who that is?
That's the most decorated fighter pilot
the Marine Corp has on active duty.
- That's Hard Knox?
- 22 kills and every
air metal they've got.
That's history you're looking at, man.
History.
- Well, Colonel, it seems that
we oughta drink to something.
- How many years you
been in the Corp, Top?
- 31 years and counting.
- Add my 30, that makes 61 years.
To 61 years.
- To 61 good years, sir.
- Excuse me, sir.
Sir, I don't wanna bother you but
would you settle an argument for us?
- Sure.
- Most of the guys say
you're a college graduate
like the other racks.
Legend says you came in at 17,
a snuffy, just like us, sir.
- 16.
I lied.
- I just won five bucks.
Thank you, sir.
- Well, Colonel, what're you gonna do
with your 30 days leave?
- Maybe I'll go home for awhile.
- Home?
You're like me, Colonel, this is home.
- But there was a place I
called home a long time ago.
Top, I gotta get going.
I just wanted to tell you that you're
the best maintenance chief I've ever had.
- Colonel, I'm the only
maintenance chief you ever had.
- You've also been a good, good friend.
And I thank you for that, Top.
- Well, Colonel, you get your
new assignment, get settled
and be sure to drop this old
Tennessee boy a note, you hear?
Attention!
Marines,
a toast!
A toast to a man I've been
proud to salute everyday
for the last 29 years.
30 years from now,
you people will be telling your
grandchildren you were there
the day that Colonel Joe
Knox took his last flight
as a fighter pilot.
On behalf of every Marine
who ever graced this uniform
and every man in this room,
I'd like to say, thank you, Hard Knox.
Thank you.
(pleasant music)
(children chattering)
(trumpet tune blowing)
- Ma, please don't make me
go to this school, please.
- David, we've been all through this.
- David, you better stop
that crying immediately.
Do you want the rest of these
kids carrying on like this?
- [David] I don't care!
- You can't go home until the
Friday of your second week.
Don't worry, we'll take
real good care of you.
- What time do we eat?
- Cory J. Beasley, you just ate.
- Now what am I gonna do without
you underfoot all the time?
- Lots of pulling weights,
it's good to be back.
I could use the rest.
Hey, you're not mad, are you?
- Mad?
Just because Benji gave you Company A
and stuck me with all the plebes
and headcases of Company B?
I'm not mad, I'm sick.
I'm just gonna lodge an official protest,
except I just checked my duty roster
and guess who else I go.
- Who?
She wouldn't give you the time of day.
- [Gary] Bet you a buck.
- [Young Man] You're on.
- Hi, Kami.
You wouldn't happen to know what time--
- [Kami] Buzz of, generic.
(laughing)
- You lose, again.
- Kami!
- DJ, please, let's not have a scene.
- All right, all right, I'm fine.
- Couldn't we make this just
a little more pleasant on each other?
- But you promised that
this year I'd be allowed
to transfer to Greenbrier Prep.
- If things pick up a
little in the market,
maybe we can transfer you.
- Fat chance.
- [DJ] Kami!
- [Mother] Watch your temper, please.
- [DJ] I'm fine.
- Hey, man, that uniform makes me sick.
Do I get mine now
or do I have to stomp somebody first?
Oh, I'm definitely in to heavy metals.
They come with the uniform
or do I gotta rip off my own?
- You'll be given some articles
of clothing later on today
but you'll have to wait to
be fitted in the dress blues.
- Gee.
Hey, Pops.
I'm gonna get even with you for this.
Bye.
Bye.
(whistling)
Thank you, Pops.
- [Gary] That's your son, sir?
- [Pops] No, that's my grandson.
Firm but fair, huh?
- [Gary] Yes, sir.
- [Pops] Skip the fair.
- Thanks, Mom.
- Hey, sorry for the rush, hun,
but I've got a one o'clock out of O'Hare.
- That's okay, Mom.
- Hey, I've got time for a kiss though.
Eric, you're gonna like it here
much better than the other
schools, I can feel it.
- Yeah.
- They got my Chicago
number, my LA number,
my service number.
Listen, I've gotta rush now though.
Ciao!
(somber music)
- Damn you.
(dramatic music)
(somber music)
- Can I help you?
Colonel Knox?
I knew it.
Well, you're our number one claim to fame.
Your picture's on all our brochures.
- You've made the right
choice for your child.
The atmosphere here is just what
the doctor ordered for that boy.
Firm but fair.
Joey?
Joey Knox?
Lela, it's old Hard Knox, himself.
It's me, Joey.
Benjamin.
- Little Benji?
Benjamin Garfield?
- Used to follow you around
like a puppy, remember?
(laughing)
- I remember.
- Well, so you came back to have a look
at the old alma mater, huh?
You have a good deal.
We're doggone please to have you.
Listen, Joe, I've got
kind over a tight rope,
time wise, you know.
This is my usual pony time,
so, if you'll excuse me.
- [Gary] There used to be a
plaque on it but it fell off.
Revolutionary hero, sir.
- Good old Sam.
America's first Marine.
I'm Joe Knox.
GMA class of '50.
- Hard Knox?
Colonel Hard?
I'm Cadet Captain Cary Pascoe, sir.
It wasn't like this when I
came here in sixth grade.
There's no excuse for
them letting the school
get run down like that.
There's the girl's dormitory.
- Girls?
GMA accepts female cadets?
- Well, we only had five
last year but this year
we're supposed to have close to 15.
- What do you think of that?
- Girls, I think they're great.
A couple of them are really foxy, sir.
(laughing)
- Gary, it's nice meeting you.
I'm gonna run over and
see General Garfield.
- Sir?
The General's not here anymore.
He's in the convalescent home.
(somber music)
- [Joe] Sir.
- Joseph.
- General Garfield, sir.
- Well, Colonel,
are you on leave?
- Yes, sir.
Between duty stations, sir.
They--
- They finally clipped
your wings, did they?
- Yes, sir.
- Everything's going to be all right, son.
Welcome home, Joseph Knox.
Welcome home.
Joseph, you can't fly at mach two forever.
Come back down to Earth with
the rest of us for awhile.
- [Woman] Hello, Bill.
- I'm glad you came to
see the school again.
This will be our last year.
- You're not closing
down GMA, are you, sir?
- You saw the grounds.
Place is going to hell.
I'm 87 years old, I can't run it anymore.
- Sir.
With all due respect,
I think you're making a big
mistake shutting down GMA.
It's one of the few military schools
where working class people
can send their children.
- I'm not afraid of death, Joseph.
But I don't wanna see my dream die.
- Sir, you, the school
have given me so much.
I just wish there was
something I could do for you.
(somber music)
(laughing)
Oh no, oh no.
I don't know anything
about schooling or kids.
Sir, I'm not qualified.
No, no sir.
General, really, I'm not qualified.
(military music)
My name is Knox.
K-N-O-X.
Some of you people have
chosen to come here
and some of you people have
been forced to come here.
Regardless of how or why,
you have arrived.
Whether you stay here seven days,
seven weeks,
seven months
or seven years,
these grounds,
these buildings
are going to become an
important part of your life.
Maybe a little run down.
You and I are going to change that.
You and I
ae going to change a lot of things here.
I'm going to introduce you
people to a four letter word
that Webster's Dictionary
defines like this.
"A sustained physical or mental effort
"to overcome obstacles
"and achieve an objective or result."
That four letter word, people,
is "work."
Get accustomed to the sound of it.
Because from this day forward,
it is going to be an important
part of your vocabulary.
35 years ago, I stood on the spot
where you people are standing now
and heard General Garfield say something
that I've carried with me every day since.
He said, "People,
"not one among you needs
to earn my respect.
"You have it, it is your birthright.
"But God help those
among you that lose it."
Cadets,
you have my respect.
Dismiss the battalion.
- Battalion.
- [Battalion] Company!
- Dismissed.
(students chattering)
- Excuse me, Colonel.
Hi, I'm Marilyn Cole.
- Joe Knox.
- I'm the principal.
- Oh?
- Surprised?
- When I was a cadet here,
the teachers were all male.
- May I be frank?
- [Joe] Please.
- I don't know what you
have in mind around here
in the way of changes
but I would like to make
one thing understood.
I run the academic department.
That part of the school is not military.
- I hate to break the bad news to you,
but this is a military school.
- Colonel,
society has changed and people
like you, military people,
seem...
Well, they seem so afraid
to accept that change.
- I don't think it's fear of change.
When you're in a line of work
that requires defending a way of life,
you're more inclined to want those changes
to be the right ones.
- You're gonna jump into this, aren't you?
- With both feet.
- Well,
I hope you don't get stepped on.
- It won't be the first time.
Is it Miss, Mrs. or Ms.?
- I'm not married.
And you?
Is it Mister, Mister or Mister?
- Colonel.
- Touché.
(somber music)
- They didn't say anything in
the brochures about haircuts.
- Me and Mr. T.
- I look like a baseball cap.
- Just take a little off the top,
maybe lay the sides a little bit?
Yeah, yeah, just like that.
- Don't desecrate the colors, man.
I'll kill your dog, man!
- Sir, I realize you have a job to do.
- This is a mistake.
Would you just relax, please?
Please don't take too much off.
(upbeat music)
- Hey, Davey boy,
why don't you stand on top of Old Sam
and let your tears ash him off?
- Why don't you leave him alone?
- You're the one they oughta
be scrubbing down, pig pen.
- Hey, watch out!
- Food, food, I need food.
(ominous music)
- [Young Man] Knock it off, man!
(faint rock music)
- What's the problem, blood?
- Blood is gonna be your
problem if you do that again.
- Whoa.
My roommate wants to get it on, huh?
Come on, blood, come on.
Come on.
- You get me kicked out
of here, creep, and I'll--
- What, you'll what?
- Fighters, huh?
A couple of real heavyweights?
50 demerits, clowns.
That'll keep you both in
your rooms for a solid month.
Tyrone,
your radio's turning pretty bleak.
This one's being confiscated.
That's all, boys, that's all.
- 50 demerits?
Don't you think you're taking this
a little too seriously, man?
- If I don't take myself seriously,
do yo expect these plebes will?
See, we do thinks a little
differently, Cadet Captain.
If I had it my way--
- Well you don't!
And I'm resending the demerits!
- That's kinda funny.
I'm such a better leader than you are.
You're wearing my barbs.
- [Group] Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
- [Beni] Colonel?
Colonel?
- What can I do for you, Benji?
- Colonel, I thought we had pretty much
ironed out our differences.
I mean, I've accepted the
fact that you're the Super,
at least for two weeks,
well, and I'm just the commandant.
Well, I think I've been pretty
dog-gone accommodating
on this considering--
- Benjamin,
what can I do for you?
- The ponies.
The boys have their
hearts set on a polo team.
- Scratch the horses,
this is not the calvary.
Get a purchase order
from Lela, go downtown
and get some footballs and
basketballs and soccer balls.
And, Benjamin, it's kind of uncomfortable
for the cadets to do their pushups here
after you and your horse
have had your daily exercise.
Maybe you could find
another area to ride on.
Thank you, Benjamin.
- Colonel?
Colonel, I hate to bother you
but there's a man in your office.
A very big, a very strange man.
(pleasant music)
- [Joe] Present!
- Master Gunnery Sergeant
Leroy Tuttle reporting, sir!
- Top.
You didn't give up leave to come here.
- Yes, sir, 30 days worth.
- Well, I'm only here for 2 weeks.
- Colonel, I can take
anything for two weeks.
- You don't know what you're getting into.
I don't know what I'm getting into.
This is a school, there's no flight line.
The only F-4's are up there on the wall!
- Well,
I don't know what I was
thinking about, Colonel.
- Place and date of birth.
- Bolivar, B-O-L-I-V-A-R, Tennessee.
March 8th, 1929.
- Education.
- Well, sir,
I didn't make it too far.
They asked me to leave
along about the 9th grade.
- Granted, I'm gonna have
to put something down here,
otherwise, the Board of
Education is gonna be on my neck.
What school?
Bolivar, B-O-L-I--
- I got that!
- Bolivar Institute For Boys.
- You were kicked out of reform school?
- War on.
They needed Marines.
In them days, I just had
the brains of a tech.
I was just full of a
lot of BS, that's all.
- BS?
Graduated Bolivar Institute,
Bachelor of Science degree.
(laughing)
- What, may I ask, is this?
- Ma'am, that's a Marine Corp officer's
dressed blue uniform.
- Who are you?
- Oh, Master Gunnery
Sergeant Leroy Tuttle, ma'am.
- Excuse me, Marilyn Cole,
our new athletic director
and boy's barracks master.
- And maintenance chief.
- Oh.
- Miss Cole is our academic principal
and Dean of Girls.
- And right now she is
just about at the end
of her proverbial rope.
I have been teaching school
for nine years, Colonel,
and in all that time, I
have never, I mean never
been told what to wear in a classroom.
It's a matter of principle.
- What you wear off the campus
is a matter of principle.
What you wear on the campus
is a matter of policy and a
condition of your employment.
You will wear a uniform.
- Two weeks.
I can do anything for two weeks.
(student commotion)
- Ten-hut!
(student commotion)
I said, attention on deck!
(student commotion)
- No, no, no, we do it like this.
♪ Announcements, announcements ♪
♪ Announcements ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ The old gray mare, she
ain't what she used to be ♪
♪ Ain't what she used to be,
ain't what she used to be ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ The old gray mare, she
ain't what she used to be ♪
- [Students] She's dead!
- There you go.
- People.
I hate to break the bad news to you
but this is not Camp Swack-A-Ton-A-Wanna.
Stand up!
Leave your trays where they are.
Report to Master Gunnery
Sergeant Tuttle on the quad.
And people,
from now on, you will be
at attention in this room.
You will not speak unless spoken to by me
or a member of my staff.
And that applies to all cadets.
And, people,
don't worry about wasting the food.
It'll still be here tonight.
Dismissed.
- I realize that they were
being a little rowdy, Colonel,
but don't you think
denying children food is--
- Captain,
I hardly see this as an
academic problem, do you?
- Well, no I don't--
- Good.
Then I'll handle it.
(whistle blowing)
- Company!
Holt!
Right face!
What are you doing, Cadet Captain Pascoe?
- Teaching the cadets to march, sir!
- No, no, no, no.
That isn't what you're doing.
31 years in the Marine Corp,
I know what marching is
and this is not marching!
God in heaven may know
what you people are doing
but I do not!
About face!
Not you people, her!
About face!
You are, without a doubt,
the worst marcher I have ever seen!
- I'm a quick learner.
- You'd better be!
Carry on!
- Here you go.
- Thanks.
- Pretty rough out there, huh?
- You have no idea.
That man...
He might break those children
but he is not going to break me.
Hard Knox, indeed.
(chuckling)
It's just a name.
- Hey, wait.
- [Marilyn] What's that?
- A book of names.
Let's see.
Knox.
- Knox.
- Knox.
"Knox, solid as a rock.
"From the word hill,
"tectonic.
"Knox stands square-shouldered,
"committed to his convictions.
"He will maintain an assured course
"in his unswerving allegiance
"to what he knows to be true."
Sound like anyone we know?
- You looked bushed, Captain.
Why don't you take the
rest of the day off?
- Bushed?
I'm as solid as a rock.
- I guess you've never
seen the black lung.
- The black what?
- The black lung.
At one of our school assemblies,
this doctor showed us a lung
that they cut out of a man
who smoked two packs--
- What is your name?
- Jessi Richards, Sergeant.
- Don't you ever, I mean,
ever, call me Sergeant again.
I happen to hold the rank
of Master Gunnery Sergeant
in the United States Marine Corp
and I'm very proud of that.
So in the future, you will call me Sir,
Master Gunnery or Top, for short.
Do you understand?
- Sure, Top.
Do you cough up phlegm in the morning?
- Do I what?!
You're in Company B, right?
- Yes.
Did you know that besides
giving you bad breath,
cigarette smoking can
cause your guns to recede?
- You leave my gums out of this.
You're supposed to be getting
your room ready for inspection, Richards.
What are you doing in my shop?
- You don't like kids
very much, do you, Sarge?
- What do you mean I
don't like little kids?
- You yell louder and more
often than any person--
- I do not yell!
I simply communicate in a tone of voice
that ensures that I will not be misquoted,
misunderstood or ignored!
- That's what I said, you yell a lot.
- You listen up, new cadet.
Congress might've put you here
but that don't give you the
license to give me lectures
on the evils on nicotine or--
- Congress didn't put me here.
My grandmother did.
- I'll tell you one thing I don't like,
I don't like little kids
that talk like adults.
They make me nervous!
So you take it on the
heal and toe, young lady
and get back to your
company area on the double!
- Yes, Sergeant.
- Ow!
- Yow!
- A hundred guys here and
I get stuck with that.
You are a creep, Tyrone.
A crawling thief from under a rock.
(clapping)
- [Gary] Attention on deck.
- Sir,
I respectfully request permission
to kick some butt, please.
- Top,
let's identify it first.
- Hey, dude.
It's about time you guys showed up.
I'm ready.
- Are you under control, Top?
- No, sir.
I think you better handle this.
- Mr. Tyrone,
I have no idea what transporter
beam you came down on
but since you're here,
let me welcome you to planet Earth
and tell you how we do things here.
You have landed at a military school.
I am your guide.
I hold the rank of Colonel.
And from now on you will call me Sir
or Colonel.
And if you ever call any
of my officers or NCOs
"Dude" again,
I'm going to send you
on a trip to a galaxy
far, far away.
Understood?
(silly music)
- Come on, Shaner.
They were right here on my bunk.
Where'd you put them?
- Hey, blimpo.
If you weren't so busy stuffing your face
with those diet wafers,
you wouldn't lose your glasses.
- Hey, David, you seen my glasses?
- Don't talk so loud to poor little Davey
or he'll burst into tears again.
Here, Davey,
here's a hanky, just in case.
- Leave me alone.
- Listen up, boob,
rule one, you don't run away.
Rule two, you don't steal or rat.
Rule three,
learn to cry without making noise.
- [Gary] Attention on deck.
- Beasley, what're you doing?
- Sir, standing tall, sir.
- Son, I thought you wore glasses.
- Uh, no sir.
- Cadet Shaner.
If I recall correctly,
this is the fourth military
school you've attended,
is that right?
- Yes, sir!
- You all right, son?
- Yes, sir.
- Gentlemen,
if this room is any indication
of what you're capable of,
you'd better take a good
look at your roommate
because without his
friendship and corporation,
you're not going to cut it here.
Cadet Shaner, you earned
yourself 10 demerits
for not helping your
roommates get squared away.
(humming tune)
- That's gross.
- I know but Top Tuttle
said he wanted a spit shine.
(knocking)
- Attention!
- Oh, no, no, it's jut me, it's just me.
As you are, as you were, whatever.
You two did real well on
your first inspection.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Particularly you, Kami.
- Do you mind?
I'm trying to write a letter.
- Lights out in 10 minutes, girls.
- Why are you such a snob?
- What?
- You act like you're
better than the rest of us.
Are you?
(students crying)
- [Top] Ye gods, Colonel.
How long does this crying go on?
- [Joe] I cried for two months.
Had a roommate that cried for two years.
- [Tops] I can stand a lot of things
but I don't know how much
more of this I can take.
- [Joe] I know how much I can take.
Two weeks.
(crickets chirping)
- What are you doing, you little stoop?
It's after one o'clock.
If you get caught, it's
a hundred demerits.
- I don't care.
- Running away?
They'll just bring you back.
They always do.
- I don't think my mom
really wants me to be here.
It's my stepdad.
If I could just talk to Ma alone,
maybe--
- Don't kid yourself.
If they wanted us, they
wouldn't have left us here.
- You mean, your parents
don't want you either?
- What the hell do you think I'm here for?
My health?
- What did I do to make
it so they don't want me?
- I wish I knew.
I wish I knew.
(dramatic music)
(trumpet tune)
- Move it!
Move it!
- Would you just cool
it with the little guys?
They're scared enough.
- I'm just throwing them a
little smoke, that's all.
That's what plebes are for, to smoke.
Hold it, mister.
Don't you know how to button your shirt?
You look like a little piglet.
- Listen up, Mr. Beasley,
from now on you take a
little bit more pride
in your appearance, you understand?
- Sir, yes, sir!
- All right.
Go fall in.
- We're not their fathers, you know?
What's the stall?
Move it! Move it!
Move it!
Come on!
- From now on, you will say "Attention"
when an officer walks into a room,
is that understood, Mr. Sayers?
- Yes, sir.
- What is that?
- That, sir, is a sleeping dog.
- Come on!
Get up right now!
- Hey, dude.
Can't you see I'm into
some heavy Z's here?
Get out of my face.
(thudding)
(thudding)
- What's going on here?
- Who hit this man?
- I don't know, sir.
- I said, who hit this man?
- [Gary] I did, sir.
- Who is the executive
officer of this company?
- Bridley, sir, Jefferson Bridley.
- Get these gentlemen out of here
and get Lieutenant Bridley.
- Sir, let's go, you two.
- Sorry, sir.
I lost my temper.
- You lost more than that.
When an officer strikes an enlisted man,
he has lost his ability to lead
and I need leaders.
You're demoted to lieutenant.
- Please, sir, don't do that.
Don't take this company away from me.
Just restrict my weekends or...
Don't take away my company.
It's all I've got.
- Sir.
Cadet Lieutenant Bridley
reporting as ordered, sir!
- [Joe] Cadet Lieutenant Bridley,
you're now on command of Company B.
- Sir, yes sir!
- Well,
now I'll show you the way a
company is supposed to be run.
- [General] So you busted
one of your officers,
what's the problem?
- The problem, sir, is I think
I might've made a mistake.
Maybe if I hadn't--
- Since when does a
commanding officer have time
to deal with "maybes" and "mights?"
We all make mistakes.
- You made one, sir.
I'm the wrong man for this job
so let's just call it quits
before I do more damage.
- Officers should not be allowed
to strike their subordinates.
- Officers?
I have busted more
officers in my career, sir,
than I care to remember.
But these are children.
Not only did I bust that boy in rank,
I broke his heart.
- Let me tell you a little
bit about young Mr. Pascoe.
Alcoholic parents,
foster homes.
We got him right out of juvenal hall.
GMA's the only real home
that boy's ever known.
- Is that supposed to
make me feel better, sir?
- No.
It's supposed to refresh your memory.
That juvenal hall we
got him out of, Joseph,
was a lot like the one we got you out of.
Pascoe, like some others I've known,
is bullheaded and short-fused.
When the pressure was on,
he reverted to his street instincts.
I busted you, Joseph, twice.
Remember?
When our cadets leave here,
they're going into the
same tough world we did.
Only their world is tougher, Joseph.
Much tougher.
I want to see them prepared for it.
Don't you?
- Man, I can't wait to
get out of this place
for a few days.
Lieutenant, my mom was coming
in for a few days from LA.
- Lieutenant, you gotta
get me out of this room,
away from that animal, Tyrone--
- Shut up!
Just shut up and get
the hell off of my back!
Now I'm not your big brother
and I'm not your father
and I'm not your CO anymore!
He's down the hall, why
don't you check him out?!
- Yeah, I know how you feel.
Knox blew it, man, he totally blew it.
But don't worry about Bridley.
Couple of days from now,
after I get the saber,
I'm gonna have them mucking out the heads.
Come on, chin up, Gary,
you'll get your command back.
- Well,
if it isn't Captain Aaron
Davis from A Company.
What brings you to Company B?
Are you looking for votes for Cadet Major?
- Bridley, you know I want you to know
that when I do make Cadet Major,
my first official act
will be to bust you back
to status zero.
That's a pledge.
- Davis, I wouldn't put
on the saber just yet.
There's a new horse in the
race, or haven't you heard?
- Would you two shut up?
Now we got a problem here.
Knox.
- Yeah, we had a good thing
going when Benji was in charge.
- It's not bad enough what
this guy's done to our hair.
It's not bad enough we have
to eat cold food in silence.
We're talking room inspection every night.
No wonder the Marines
called him Hard Knox.
The guy's nuts.
Know what he did in the day room today?
- No, what?
- He caught a couple of guys
watching TV on duty time,
so he gave our set away
to the convalescent home
down the street.
- [Gary] You're kidding me.
- I'm not kidding, man.
We gotta figure out what to do...
Attention on deck!
- As you were.
Is the dump still off limits to plebes?
- Yes, sir.
- Excuse me, sir.
I just wanted to say
that the way the Colonel
handled the mass hall
situation was top rate.
And getting rid of the
TV was long overdue, sir.
- There something I can do for you, sir?
- Would you gentlemen excuse us?
- Yes, sir.
- Is there something you
want to say to me, son?
- Son?
Yeah, dad,
you looking to bust me again?
Go ahead, why not?
Why don't you bust me down to sergeant?
Or how about private?
Feel free, man, the
bird's on your shoulder.
- I'm going to forget what I
just heard, Cadet Lieutenant,
and assume the pressure of the moment
has caused you to make an ass of yourself.
- Don't do me any favors, Colonel.
You're only gonna be here for two weeks.
I can hold my breath for two weeks.
- You were gone 16 hours.
Your punishment will be staying here
while the other cadets go
home for open house weekend.
- Is that all, sir?
- That's all.
And David,
you'll find the other cadets
don't think to highly of runaways.
They can be very cruel.
You want to talk?
I'll be here.
- May I go now, sir?
- Yes.
- Got a minute, sir?
- Sure, Top, what can I do for you?
- It's worse than bootcamp out there, sir.
12 fights yesterday and that's
just the ones I know about.
You better come up with something soon
to get their minds off each other
or we're in a lot of trouble.
- I know.
Top, hold the fort.
I'm gonna see a man about a brass ax.
- A brass what?
(soldiers chanting)
- Colonel, as I was saying earlier,
we could probably start you out at twice
what the old man's paying you down there.
- The General isn't paying me anything.
- Well, there it is.
Old Tom Evans, or historian,
was the only one who knew what it was.
It's a bit dusty.
- Brass Ax.
A lot of memories here.
A lot of memories here, Major.
- With our compliments.
- Oh no, you misunderstood.
Brass Ax isn't something you give,
it's something you take.
And we intend to take it back.
- You don't mean,
Vickers Hill against Garfield?
- Red and White War.
- You're serious, aren't you?
- Absolutely.
- Red and White War?
Are you kidding me?
What's a Red and White War?
- Against Vickers Hill, no less.
- There's no way the old
man's getting away with this.
I guarantee you not one cadet volunteers.
Not one.
Remember, not one!
- Hey, here comes Red.
Fall in, let's go, on the double!
- No volunteers, no volunteers.
I don't wanna see any
volunteers, you hear that?
No volunteers.
No volunteers.
No volunteers.
No volunteers, Pascoe.
- People!
Red and White War!
I'm looking for a few good men.
And women.
Well, just so nobody gets
trampled in the rush,
I'll do this company by company.
Company A, all those who
would like to participate
in the Red and White War, step forward.
How about all you cadets in Company B?
(somber music)
- Sir, Cadet Lieutenant
Gary Pascoe volunteers, sir!
(dramatic music)
- Sir, Cadet Sayers volunteers, sir!
- I'll do it, Top.
- Me too.
- I'm here.
I'm ready.
And I'll brass ax any fancy
sucker that gets in my road.
(dramatic music)
- Sir, Cadet Lieutenant Bridley volunteers
to recapture the Brass Ax
and bring it back to Garfield, sir!
Thanks a lot, man.
Make me look like an idiot in
front of the whole battalion.
I told you, no volunteers.
- Since when do you tell me anything?
- Come on.
Come on, hit me.
You're very good at that.
I'd love to see you
wearing corporal stripes.
Look, man!
I have a chance to make cadet major.
You took yourself right out of it.
It's between me and Davis, now.
And I want the gold saber.
- So what's stopping you?
- Stopping me?
I'll tell you what's stopping me.
You went and opened your big mouth
and now we're committed
to fight some stupid damn,
Red and White War?
All we got is a bunch of
snot-nosed kids, girls,
screw offs!
And when we get creamed out there,
I'm gonna be the laughing
stock of this whole place.
And from now on,
you call me sir.
(ominous music)
(upbeat music)
- [Top] Stay low, get
out of that barbed wire!
Don't bunch up, people, don't bunch up!
One grenade will get you all.
Spread out! Spread out!
Move it! Move it!
(groaning)
Move!
Watch the barb wire.
Stay low!
Get it! Get it!
- Will we actually get to meet
these guys from Vickers Hill?
I mean, will we be able to talk to them
and stuff like that?
- Stuff like what?
We're talking warfare, here, cadet.
Not a damn disco dance.
- Is this really necessary?
I mean, really getting down in the dirty?
- It is if you wanna meet
one of those nice boys
from Vickers Hill.
Get down here and get dirty!
(upbeat music)
Don't be afraid of pain, people!
When it hurts, push
yourself a little harder!
It won't kill you, I promise you!
(upbeat music)
(splashing)
(upbeat music)
Five!
Six!
And up!
And down!
Up!
Down!
Up!
Down!
One
and two!
And three!
And four!
And five!
Six!
And seven!
And eight!
And nine!
And ten!
- Hey, blubber body!
That's the first thing you've done right!
- Get lost.
Hey, Davis.
- Shut up!
Nobody talks to a runaway.
- Oh yeah.
I forgot.
- It isn't our fault his
momma doesn't want him.
- Look who's talking.
- Don't you ever mention my mother again.
She's beautiful and she loves me.
She's busy.
That's all.
- Bridley and Pascoe, knock it off!
Come on, Sayers!
- Come on, Sayers!
- Any day, any day and I'll get you!
- I'm gonna haunt your dreams!
- [Sayers] Any day, man!
- As you were!
Fall in!
Everybody back on the double!
Teamwork, people.
Teamwork.
We have three days to determine
what the term "teamwork" means.
The rule books says you
must get over the wall.
Doesn't say how.
Tyrone, get out of my field if vision.
Cadet Sayers.
- Yes, sir.
- Cadet Richards.
Take her heel.
Go cadet!
- That a boy!
- Oh no, please don't feel
like you have to salute.
My arm is getting sore.
- Yes, Captain.
- [Joe] All right,
everybody go around again!
- Top.
- Yes, ma'am.
- I'm curious about something.
You've known Colonel Knox a long time.
Doesn't it bother him that
so many people dislike him?
I mean, I realize the
importance of discipline
and "Hard Knox" and all that.
I think they actually hate him.
- These kids came here
carrying lots of hate.
Right now, it's directed at each other.
Colonel Knox is just trying
to redirect it on to himself, that's all.
- I don't see how he takes it.
- He's a Marine.
- Oh.
Oh, and Top, I almost forgot.
I've arranged a social mixer for tonight.
- A social what?
- A social mixer, a dance.
We are going some of the
cadets to Vickers Hill
and I've arranged for a group of girls
form Greenbrier Prep school to go over.
- Ma'am, I really hope you've talked
to Colonel Knox about this.
- Of course I have.
And through his strenuous objections,
I simply replied that this
is an academic activity.
Not a military one.
- Yes, ma'am.
- I'll see you tonight.
- Yes, ma'am.
- The most important
thing about this evening
is to have a good time, all right?
I want everybody to enjoy themselves,
get to know the cadets and
the girls from Vickers Hill.
Behave yourself, Eric, all right?
You have a good time, are you excited?
- Yeah.
- Good, all right.
Have a good time, it's inside.
Have a good time.
- This is a great idea.
- You look wonderful.
(upbeat music)
Cadet Pascoe, why don't you
ask Mary, here, to dance?
(upbeat music)
(chattering)
- I'd like to put that big
blonde dude right on the floor
and dance on his face.
- You make me sick.
- Is that weird or is that weird?
- I don't know, he's different.
That one's mine.
- Girls, there is nothing wrong
with asking boys to dance.
- [Girl] Well, I can't dance.
- You can't dance?
(upbeat music)
- Would you like to dance?
- Yeah, sure.
(upbeat music)
- Kami, are you having a good time?
- Yeah.
- Good deal.
- Hi, Rene.
- Hey, Kami.
Too bad your parents couldn't
transfer you over this term.
I'd hate to be a Garfy.
- Yeah, but maybe I'll be able to--
- Could you introduce me to somebody?
- Sure, who?
- Him.
(upbeat music)
- Him?
That's just Pascoe.
(upbeat music)
- You see, I told you there
was nothing to worry about.
- Excuse me, ma'am, sir.
I was just wondering if I
might stop over sometime
and you could tell me about the F-18.
How it handles.
- I'd be glad to.
Anytime, cadet.
- Thank you, sir.
- Tell me, Colonel, why is it
that you never attended Vickers Hill?
- For the same reason our cadets don't.
Our parents couldn't afford it.
- Colonel.
Marilyn, may I have this dance?
- Certainly.
(upbeat music)
- Hey, Pascoe.
You haven't got any guts
unless you cut in on Kami.
- Hey Gary, come on, do it!
Cut in on her.
I dare you.
- What do you got to lose?
Teeth?
(laughing)
(upbeat music)
- Excuse me, can I cut in?
- Thanks for the dance, Kami.
- You're welcome.
Thanks a lot, Pascoe.
Jeez.
(upbeat music)
(laughing)
- Excuse me, ma'am,
Major Garfield was
looking for both of you.
He said it was important.
- Where is he?
- He's downstairs.
- All right, thank you.
- Yes.
(upbeat music)
- Sir, Top Tuttle was
looking for you outside.
- Thank you, cadet.
(upbeat music)
- May I cut in?
- No.
(upbeat music)
- Hey, Major, the head
dude wants you outside.
Hip-hip.
- Can you handle the records for me?
They're all in order.
- Oh yeah, sure Major, you go right ahead.
(music muting)
(exciting music)
♪ I got everything you want ♪
♪ Everything that you need ♪
♪ You gotta show me ♪
♪ Give me a sign ♪
♪ Show me ♪
♪ Show me ♪
♪ You've gotta show me, baby ♪
♪ I've been waiting to see ♪
- I thought your were outside, Colonel,
you wanted to see me.
- No, Cadet Shaner said that
you wanted to see me, Tops.
(yelling)
- Tyrone!
- Hey, relax.
We'll get him later.
- Tyrone!
(music muting)
Attention!
Get out here!
- Captain Cole has put
forth a lot of effort
to give you people a little
break in your routine.
I'm sure she appreciates your thank you.
Major!
GMA apologizes to Vickers Hill.
Top,
get them out of here.
Don't take it so hard.
It was a good try, kid.
I really appreciate your efforts.
- I've had it.
(somber music)
- In less than two weeks you've
gotten into several fights,
failed every one of your inspections
and you're flunking all of your grades.
- So, kick me out.
- You'd like that, wouldn't you?
(chuckling)
- Hey, man.
- Sir!
- Sir.
I don't belong here.
So why don't you save
yourself some aggravation
and save my grandfather some cash
and put me back on the
street where I belong?
- You know what I think?
I think you're feeling guilty
because your grandfather loves you so much
he took out a loan to
get your off the street
and to put you in here.
- I'll tell you what my problem is.
My problem is you and everybody like you.
Telling me when to get up, when to eat,
when to sleep.
You know what I want, I want control, man.
For once in my life, I want control.
- Why didn't you say so?
(buzzing)
An airplane has three
basic control movements.
Roll, which is controlled
through the yoke,
moves the ailerons like this.
(buzzing)
Yaw, which moves the
aircraft from side-to-side,
is controlled by the peddles.
Lose the rudders.
And pitch,
which moves the elevator up
and down with the yoke.
- What're you doing now?
- Putting the plane on autopilot.
(laughing)
Look how smoothly she flies by herself.
Put your hand on the yoke.
- Huh?
- Go ahead.
Now press that button.
- [Tyrone] What does that do?
- That releases the autopilot.
- Hey, what're you doing, man?!
- You said you wanted
control, you've got control.
- No!
- Better pull back on the yoke.
Push back on the yoke or
we're going into orbit.
Gently, push back gently.
On one smooth motion,
put your right foot on the peddle
and your left hand on the yoke.
- Hey.
Don't slash me, man, I'm
really flying this sucker?
- [Joe] I'm not slashing you, man.
You're in control.
- [Tyrone] Hey, let's put
this sucker on afterburner!
- We are the White Team.
Vickers Hill is the Red Team.
And this is our objective.
To get their flag and to
cross the finish line first.
It lies 13 miles due north of GMA
and 13 miles south of Vickers Hill.
There will be referees to keep score.
Each team will be issued one map,
one compass,
and one first aid kit.
- Excuse me.
- Yes, Captain Cole.
- What about guns and bullets?
I mean, this is a war.
- These are your weapons.
Nine balloons filled with white dye.
Vickers will have red.
When one of you gets it with
a balloon, and you will,
you're out.
Period.
I wish you well, people.
And I want you to try your hardest.
And that's the best you can do.
Lieutenant Bridley assures me that he has
your battle plan well in hand.
You depart at 0-800.
So get a good night's rest.
And remember the magic words.
Maximum utilization
of available resources.
Goodnight.
- Vickers! Vickers! Vickers!
- [All] Ho!
- Vickers! Vickers! Vickers!
- [All] Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers! Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers! Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers! Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers! Ho!
(drums rolling)
(trumpet tune)
(people laughing)
- Good luck!
You're gonna need it!
(upbeat music)
- Vickers! Vickers! Vickers!
Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers!
Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers!
Ho!
(upbeat music)
(splashing)
(upbeat music)
- Come on, Beasley, get up.
- No.
No more, please.
(upbeat music)
- Come on!
- What're you doing?
- Get back to your assigned position!
- This is your great strategy, huh?
Run everybody till they drop.
That'd be fine if it were
just you but it's not.
Look at them.
- Look, they knew that
they were getting into.
If they can't cut it, tough.
I'm gonna cross the finish line.
- Oh, that's just super.
The hell with the rest of us.
Well hail the great leader.
I'm finished and so are the little ones.
- I'm finished messing with you too, fool.
- Get your claws off my roommate, creep!
- Lighten up!
Now just back off!
Now nobody here is finished
until we're all finished.
- I'm starting to see the picture now.
The great Pascoe's gonna take over.
Gonna save the day?
- No, man, it's not what I'm gonna do.
And it's not what you're gonna do.
It's what we're gonna do.
Now we're gonna start acting like a team.
Maximum utilization of
available resources.
- Wanna give it a try?
- Yeah.
Let's get 'em!
(laughing)
(upbeat music)
- One at a time.
- Do it again.
- Let's go, little guys.
Little guys.
Come on.
(upbeat music)
- Hey.
Where's Ambrose?
- Oh, I told you to
watch that little creep.
Now we're disqualified.
- I knew he'd run away.
I knew it.
- What now, Pascoe?
- I don't care if we are
disqualified, we're gonna finish.
Let's move out.
- Oh man.
(ominous music)
(dramatic music)
- Ambush!
Move it!
Ambush!
Red!
- Look!
Over there!
- Go!
Go!
(upbeat music)
- Stop!
Could be a trap!
- I haven't seen any of your
student body here, Major.
- Our polo team is playing city
today for the championship.
They're pretty worked up about that.
- Oh, that's where Benjamin is.
- In fact, we can just make
it back if the boys hurry.
- Hey.
Where'd everybody?
Don't leave me alone.
You promised you wouldn't leave me alone.
I lost my glasses.
- What's the matter, little Garf,
did you get left behind?
- I get the honors.
(laughing)
- You guys are stupider than I am.
(chuckling)
(splattering)
(laughing)
(crowd applauding)
- All right!
- Sergeant Tuttle.
I'm Jill Richards, Jessi's grandmother.
- Oh yeah, little Jessi.
- I just wanted to say thank
you for being so good to her.
She writes about you in all her letters.
- Really?
- That little girl's had a hard go of it.
Her mother's dead, was
raised by her father.
You do know that he died last year.
- No, I didn't.
- Well, that's why I sent her to Garfield.
You see, all her life people
have been babying her,
with all the right motives, of course.
But everybody feels so sorry for her,
they won't let her grow up.
- Miss Richards,
how did Jessi's father die?
- My son was a heavy smoker.
- There's four.
- Okay.
Kami, you ready?
- Listen, generic,
I'm doing this under protest.
Hi there.
- Kami, what're you doing here?
- We wanna watch you cream those guys.
- All right.
You got front row seats.
- You want a cold drink or something?
- Sure.
(splattering)
(screaming)
- [Young Vicker] Kami, I don't know how
you could've done this to us.
- You generics are a bunch of sexists.
That's the oldest trick in the book.
(birds chirping)
(groaning)
- [Gary] He's in there man, I know it.
- Okay.
Wait a minute, I'm gonna go in there.
With our last balloon, I'm gonna get out.
- No you're not.
Here's what we're gonna do.
Come here.
Hey, Vicky!
Garf's gonna get you.
You're looking the wrong
way, I'm over here!
Not even close, Vicky.
Come on.
Come on, I'll give you one more shot.
(splattering)
- Pascoe, why are you doing this?
- You still don't get it, do you?
This is a team.
You're the fastest person on the team.
Move out!
(somber music)
(upbeat music)
- Garf!
(ominous music)
Garf!
I'm gonna run you to death!
(ominous music)
(upbeat music)
(groaning)
(ominous music)
What's the matter, Garf?
Can't keep up with a Vicky?
(upbeat music)
- Here they come!
Come on, boy!
(cheering)
(dramatic music)
(cheering)
- The most you could
even hope for is a tie.
- [Joe] That's all we ever wanted.
(dramatic music)
- GMA, all the way.
(dramatic music)
(exciting music)
(dramatic music)
(cheering and applauding)
(exciting military music)
- Company,
halt!
Left face!
(exciting military music)
- Company
halt!
Left
face!
- There is a tradition here at Garfield
that one cadet be chosen
to serve as Cadet Major
and lead the battalion
for the coming year.
It hasn't been an easy choice for me.
We have several cadets
whose academic record,
whose all around leadership abilities
more than qualify them to
hold this honored position.
But, as in past years,
there is one cadet who stands out.
One cadet who didn't wait for
the saber to be awarded him
but stepped forward and took it.
Cadet Lieutenant Gary Pascoe.
Front and center.
(clapping)
Colonel.
I am proud to present
our new Cadet Major.
- Cadet Major Pascoe,
you'll find that saber a heavy burden
if you try to carry it alone.
Dismiss your troops for the weekend.
- Thank you, sir.
Battalion!
- [Battalion] Yes!
- Dismissed!
- [Battalion] Aye, aye, sir.
(cheering)
(upbeat military music)
(cheering)
- Be right back, Grandma.
I have to go say goodbye to someone.
- Take your time, dear.
- Richards!
You know you're not supposed
to be double-timing on this walk.
- Yes, Sergeant.
(dramatic music)
You're proud of me, aren't you, Top?
- A little bit.
- Well, goodbye.
- Cadet?
Get rid of these for me.
- I love you.
- Go on.
Get out of here.
If I ever see you again,
you better be standing tall.
(dramatic music)
- We kind of...
We kinda all wanted to say thank you
for, you know, for what you did for us.
So, we all pitched in and we got you this.
(laughing)
- Tyrone!
You nasty little--
- Cadets!
Four words.
Have a good weekend.
(laughing)
- What did you get me into this time?
Sir?
- You didn't get a draft notice, Top.
You volunteered, remember?
What do you say we give them
a little surprise of our own
and show up on Monday morning.
(upbeat music)
- [Radio Pilot] Fight's on!
(whooshing)
(muffed radio speaking)
Tracking, tracking now!
Off the left door.
Clear fire!
He's flying four o'clock
Get to Knox, Blizzard!
(whooshing)
- [Knox On Radio] Blizzard,
you're not gonna get me
on six o'clock today.
(rumbling)
- [Older Pilot] Blizzard.
Your nose is up.
How can you get him,
Knox, with your nose up.
Upload the damn thing!
(rumbling)
You got him, Goose?
Good luck!
Blizzard, get the son of a...
Blizzard, don't overshoot!
Come on! Come on!
(whooshing)
- [Blizzard] Moving now!
- [Goose] Nothing behind you.
- [Stinger] Damn it!
I lost him.
He could take us!
- [Knox] It's a good thing you got him.
Good luck!
Knock it off!
Knock it off for altitude!
- [Blizzard] You call knock it off?
- [Knox] I said, knock it off!
Okay?
We're out of here.
(exciting music)
(pleasant music)
(tires screeching)
- Went into that last slice turn,
we were pulling some heavy G's.
I thought I was gonna explode.
That was downright painful.
- You'll never believe this, Goose.
When I first started
flying, I was as tall as you
and skinny as a rail.
- Yes, sir.
- Relax, it's only gonna
hurt for a little while.
- [Blizzard] I can beat him, damn it.
I know I can beat him.
- A footrace, maybe.
- Everybody got all
their fingers and toes?
- Sir.
- Good.
Top, you're looking at me.
- I am, sir.
- What now?
- Wing Commander.
- General Green?
Why?
- Did not take him into
his confidence, sir.
Flew in 30 minutes ago.
- Tell him I'll cut my debrief
short and be right there.
- Yes, sir.
- Gentlemen, as you know,
the machine never lies.
Cut the tape.
You buried your nose.
Never drop your nose.
You're pure vertical here.
What's happening is the boggy
is coming down from the top
and you're trying to break his altitude.
He can early turn you and boom,
end of 20 million dollar aircraft
that the Marines on the ground
are depending on for fire support.
And more importantly,
I have to pay a condolence
call on your parents.
Review this tape over and over
and over again.
Blizzard, would you step
outside with me a moment please?
Contrary to anything you
may think, Lieutenant,
I have every confidence
that you can fly the F-4.
In the class room, the simulator,
you're top of the class
and I respect that.
But you get up there,
you perform way below your capabilities.
- Yes, sir, I don't know.
I know what to do.
I lay awake at night thinking.
I go over every detail
in my mind and I think--
- I know you can think, Lieutenant,
now show me that you can fly.
You think it's rough with me on your butt?
Get a MiG back there
and it could be fatal.
Now we're going back up tomorrow,
we're going to repeat the maneuver.
Make the same mistake again,
you know where you're going to be?
- Yes, sir.
- See you in the morning.
- All right, sir.
- Hey, Joe.
Good to see you.
- It's good to see you too, sir.
Is my readiness report
in the wrong form or something, General?
- Oh, your readiness reports are fine.
It's a little more serious than that.
- How serious, sir?
- Joe, you're grounded.
"Avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
"Top of subject's hipbone
is deteriorating."
You coulda had a heart attack,
you coulda had a stroke.
- No appeal, sir?
- No appeal.
- What's that, sir?
- Promotional warrant to brigadier general
on your new assignment.
Come on, Joe.
I'm walking proof that
there's life after flying.
- Say you married a beautiful woman,
you have two beautiful children,
now grandchildren.
My kids are cocky know-nothing
Marine fighter pilots,
my wife sits out there on the tarmac,
she drinks 10 gallons a second
at 14 hundred miles an hour.
When I ask her to roll over,
my God, she rolls over.
No desk, sir.
- Joe, no desk, no star.
Now before you carry away
and pull a Hard Knox on me,
this is what you're gonna do.
30 days leave starting in
10 seconds.
And when you get back, I'll
see if I can get you a desk
with wings on it.
- Thank you, sir.
- [Top] Ten-hut!
- [General] Carry on.
- Trouble, Colonel?
- Top, how many years
have we been together, 27?
- 29, one capacity or another.
- We ever sit down
together and have a drink?
- No, sir, I don't
recollect we ever sat down
and had a drink together, face on.
- Let's have a drink, face on.
- Get up!
Get up!
- Ten-hut!
- [Knox] As you where.
(exciting rock music)
- [Young Man] Do we
see the brass anywhere?
- Don't you know who that is?
That's the most decorated fighter pilot
the Marine Corp has on active duty.
- That's Hard Knox?
- 22 kills and every
air metal they've got.
That's history you're looking at, man.
History.
- Well, Colonel, it seems that
we oughta drink to something.
- How many years you
been in the Corp, Top?
- 31 years and counting.
- Add my 30, that makes 61 years.
To 61 years.
- To 61 good years, sir.
- Excuse me, sir.
Sir, I don't wanna bother you but
would you settle an argument for us?
- Sure.
- Most of the guys say
you're a college graduate
like the other racks.
Legend says you came in at 17,
a snuffy, just like us, sir.
- 16.
I lied.
- I just won five bucks.
Thank you, sir.
- Well, Colonel, what're you gonna do
with your 30 days leave?
- Maybe I'll go home for awhile.
- Home?
You're like me, Colonel, this is home.
- But there was a place I
called home a long time ago.
Top, I gotta get going.
I just wanted to tell you that you're
the best maintenance chief I've ever had.
- Colonel, I'm the only
maintenance chief you ever had.
- You've also been a good, good friend.
And I thank you for that, Top.
- Well, Colonel, you get your
new assignment, get settled
and be sure to drop this old
Tennessee boy a note, you hear?
Attention!
Marines,
a toast!
A toast to a man I've been
proud to salute everyday
for the last 29 years.
30 years from now,
you people will be telling your
grandchildren you were there
the day that Colonel Joe
Knox took his last flight
as a fighter pilot.
On behalf of every Marine
who ever graced this uniform
and every man in this room,
I'd like to say, thank you, Hard Knox.
Thank you.
(pleasant music)
(children chattering)
(trumpet tune blowing)
- Ma, please don't make me
go to this school, please.
- David, we've been all through this.
- David, you better stop
that crying immediately.
Do you want the rest of these
kids carrying on like this?
- [David] I don't care!
- You can't go home until the
Friday of your second week.
Don't worry, we'll take
real good care of you.
- What time do we eat?
- Cory J. Beasley, you just ate.
- Now what am I gonna do without
you underfoot all the time?
- Lots of pulling weights,
it's good to be back.
I could use the rest.
Hey, you're not mad, are you?
- Mad?
Just because Benji gave you Company A
and stuck me with all the plebes
and headcases of Company B?
I'm not mad, I'm sick.
I'm just gonna lodge an official protest,
except I just checked my duty roster
and guess who else I go.
- Who?
She wouldn't give you the time of day.
- [Gary] Bet you a buck.
- [Young Man] You're on.
- Hi, Kami.
You wouldn't happen to know what time--
- [Kami] Buzz of, generic.
(laughing)
- You lose, again.
- Kami!
- DJ, please, let's not have a scene.
- All right, all right, I'm fine.
- Couldn't we make this just
a little more pleasant on each other?
- But you promised that
this year I'd be allowed
to transfer to Greenbrier Prep.
- If things pick up a
little in the market,
maybe we can transfer you.
- Fat chance.
- [DJ] Kami!
- [Mother] Watch your temper, please.
- [DJ] I'm fine.
- Hey, man, that uniform makes me sick.
Do I get mine now
or do I have to stomp somebody first?
Oh, I'm definitely in to heavy metals.
They come with the uniform
or do I gotta rip off my own?
- You'll be given some articles
of clothing later on today
but you'll have to wait to
be fitted in the dress blues.
- Gee.
Hey, Pops.
I'm gonna get even with you for this.
Bye.
Bye.
(whistling)
Thank you, Pops.
- [Gary] That's your son, sir?
- [Pops] No, that's my grandson.
Firm but fair, huh?
- [Gary] Yes, sir.
- [Pops] Skip the fair.
- Thanks, Mom.
- Hey, sorry for the rush, hun,
but I've got a one o'clock out of O'Hare.
- That's okay, Mom.
- Hey, I've got time for a kiss though.
Eric, you're gonna like it here
much better than the other
schools, I can feel it.
- Yeah.
- They got my Chicago
number, my LA number,
my service number.
Listen, I've gotta rush now though.
Ciao!
(somber music)
- Damn you.
(dramatic music)
(somber music)
- Can I help you?
Colonel Knox?
I knew it.
Well, you're our number one claim to fame.
Your picture's on all our brochures.
- You've made the right
choice for your child.
The atmosphere here is just what
the doctor ordered for that boy.
Firm but fair.
Joey?
Joey Knox?
Lela, it's old Hard Knox, himself.
It's me, Joey.
Benjamin.
- Little Benji?
Benjamin Garfield?
- Used to follow you around
like a puppy, remember?
(laughing)
- I remember.
- Well, so you came back to have a look
at the old alma mater, huh?
You have a good deal.
We're doggone please to have you.
Listen, Joe, I've got
kind over a tight rope,
time wise, you know.
This is my usual pony time,
so, if you'll excuse me.
- [Gary] There used to be a
plaque on it but it fell off.
Revolutionary hero, sir.
- Good old Sam.
America's first Marine.
I'm Joe Knox.
GMA class of '50.
- Hard Knox?
Colonel Hard?
I'm Cadet Captain Cary Pascoe, sir.
It wasn't like this when I
came here in sixth grade.
There's no excuse for
them letting the school
get run down like that.
There's the girl's dormitory.
- Girls?
GMA accepts female cadets?
- Well, we only had five
last year but this year
we're supposed to have close to 15.
- What do you think of that?
- Girls, I think they're great.
A couple of them are really foxy, sir.
(laughing)
- Gary, it's nice meeting you.
I'm gonna run over and
see General Garfield.
- Sir?
The General's not here anymore.
He's in the convalescent home.
(somber music)
- [Joe] Sir.
- Joseph.
- General Garfield, sir.
- Well, Colonel,
are you on leave?
- Yes, sir.
Between duty stations, sir.
They--
- They finally clipped
your wings, did they?
- Yes, sir.
- Everything's going to be all right, son.
Welcome home, Joseph Knox.
Welcome home.
Joseph, you can't fly at mach two forever.
Come back down to Earth with
the rest of us for awhile.
- [Woman] Hello, Bill.
- I'm glad you came to
see the school again.
This will be our last year.
- You're not closing
down GMA, are you, sir?
- You saw the grounds.
Place is going to hell.
I'm 87 years old, I can't run it anymore.
- Sir.
With all due respect,
I think you're making a big
mistake shutting down GMA.
It's one of the few military schools
where working class people
can send their children.
- I'm not afraid of death, Joseph.
But I don't wanna see my dream die.
- Sir, you, the school
have given me so much.
I just wish there was
something I could do for you.
(somber music)
(laughing)
Oh no, oh no.
I don't know anything
about schooling or kids.
Sir, I'm not qualified.
No, no sir.
General, really, I'm not qualified.
(military music)
My name is Knox.
K-N-O-X.
Some of you people have
chosen to come here
and some of you people have
been forced to come here.
Regardless of how or why,
you have arrived.
Whether you stay here seven days,
seven weeks,
seven months
or seven years,
these grounds,
these buildings
are going to become an
important part of your life.
Maybe a little run down.
You and I are going to change that.
You and I
ae going to change a lot of things here.
I'm going to introduce you
people to a four letter word
that Webster's Dictionary
defines like this.
"A sustained physical or mental effort
"to overcome obstacles
"and achieve an objective or result."
That four letter word, people,
is "work."
Get accustomed to the sound of it.
Because from this day forward,
it is going to be an important
part of your vocabulary.
35 years ago, I stood on the spot
where you people are standing now
and heard General Garfield say something
that I've carried with me every day since.
He said, "People,
"not one among you needs
to earn my respect.
"You have it, it is your birthright.
"But God help those
among you that lose it."
Cadets,
you have my respect.
Dismiss the battalion.
- Battalion.
- [Battalion] Company!
- Dismissed.
(students chattering)
- Excuse me, Colonel.
Hi, I'm Marilyn Cole.
- Joe Knox.
- I'm the principal.
- Oh?
- Surprised?
- When I was a cadet here,
the teachers were all male.
- May I be frank?
- [Joe] Please.
- I don't know what you
have in mind around here
in the way of changes
but I would like to make
one thing understood.
I run the academic department.
That part of the school is not military.
- I hate to break the bad news to you,
but this is a military school.
- Colonel,
society has changed and people
like you, military people,
seem...
Well, they seem so afraid
to accept that change.
- I don't think it's fear of change.
When you're in a line of work
that requires defending a way of life,
you're more inclined to want those changes
to be the right ones.
- You're gonna jump into this, aren't you?
- With both feet.
- Well,
I hope you don't get stepped on.
- It won't be the first time.
Is it Miss, Mrs. or Ms.?
- I'm not married.
And you?
Is it Mister, Mister or Mister?
- Colonel.
- Touché.
(somber music)
- They didn't say anything in
the brochures about haircuts.
- Me and Mr. T.
- I look like a baseball cap.
- Just take a little off the top,
maybe lay the sides a little bit?
Yeah, yeah, just like that.
- Don't desecrate the colors, man.
I'll kill your dog, man!
- Sir, I realize you have a job to do.
- This is a mistake.
Would you just relax, please?
Please don't take too much off.
(upbeat music)
- Hey, Davey boy,
why don't you stand on top of Old Sam
and let your tears ash him off?
- Why don't you leave him alone?
- You're the one they oughta
be scrubbing down, pig pen.
- Hey, watch out!
- Food, food, I need food.
(ominous music)
- [Young Man] Knock it off, man!
(faint rock music)
- What's the problem, blood?
- Blood is gonna be your
problem if you do that again.
- Whoa.
My roommate wants to get it on, huh?
Come on, blood, come on.
Come on.
- You get me kicked out
of here, creep, and I'll--
- What, you'll what?
- Fighters, huh?
A couple of real heavyweights?
50 demerits, clowns.
That'll keep you both in
your rooms for a solid month.
Tyrone,
your radio's turning pretty bleak.
This one's being confiscated.
That's all, boys, that's all.
- 50 demerits?
Don't you think you're taking this
a little too seriously, man?
- If I don't take myself seriously,
do yo expect these plebes will?
See, we do thinks a little
differently, Cadet Captain.
If I had it my way--
- Well you don't!
And I'm resending the demerits!
- That's kinda funny.
I'm such a better leader than you are.
You're wearing my barbs.
- [Group] Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
- [Beni] Colonel?
Colonel?
- What can I do for you, Benji?
- Colonel, I thought we had pretty much
ironed out our differences.
I mean, I've accepted the
fact that you're the Super,
at least for two weeks,
well, and I'm just the commandant.
Well, I think I've been pretty
dog-gone accommodating
on this considering--
- Benjamin,
what can I do for you?
- The ponies.
The boys have their
hearts set on a polo team.
- Scratch the horses,
this is not the calvary.
Get a purchase order
from Lela, go downtown
and get some footballs and
basketballs and soccer balls.
And, Benjamin, it's kind of uncomfortable
for the cadets to do their pushups here
after you and your horse
have had your daily exercise.
Maybe you could find
another area to ride on.
Thank you, Benjamin.
- Colonel?
Colonel, I hate to bother you
but there's a man in your office.
A very big, a very strange man.
(pleasant music)
- [Joe] Present!
- Master Gunnery Sergeant
Leroy Tuttle reporting, sir!
- Top.
You didn't give up leave to come here.
- Yes, sir, 30 days worth.
- Well, I'm only here for 2 weeks.
- Colonel, I can take
anything for two weeks.
- You don't know what you're getting into.
I don't know what I'm getting into.
This is a school, there's no flight line.
The only F-4's are up there on the wall!
- Well,
I don't know what I was
thinking about, Colonel.
- Place and date of birth.
- Bolivar, B-O-L-I-V-A-R, Tennessee.
March 8th, 1929.
- Education.
- Well, sir,
I didn't make it too far.
They asked me to leave
along about the 9th grade.
- Granted, I'm gonna have
to put something down here,
otherwise, the Board of
Education is gonna be on my neck.
What school?
Bolivar, B-O-L-I--
- I got that!
- Bolivar Institute For Boys.
- You were kicked out of reform school?
- War on.
They needed Marines.
In them days, I just had
the brains of a tech.
I was just full of a
lot of BS, that's all.
- BS?
Graduated Bolivar Institute,
Bachelor of Science degree.
(laughing)
- What, may I ask, is this?
- Ma'am, that's a Marine Corp officer's
dressed blue uniform.
- Who are you?
- Oh, Master Gunnery
Sergeant Leroy Tuttle, ma'am.
- Excuse me, Marilyn Cole,
our new athletic director
and boy's barracks master.
- And maintenance chief.
- Oh.
- Miss Cole is our academic principal
and Dean of Girls.
- And right now she is
just about at the end
of her proverbial rope.
I have been teaching school
for nine years, Colonel,
and in all that time, I
have never, I mean never
been told what to wear in a classroom.
It's a matter of principle.
- What you wear off the campus
is a matter of principle.
What you wear on the campus
is a matter of policy and a
condition of your employment.
You will wear a uniform.
- Two weeks.
I can do anything for two weeks.
(student commotion)
- Ten-hut!
(student commotion)
I said, attention on deck!
(student commotion)
- No, no, no, we do it like this.
♪ Announcements, announcements ♪
♪ Announcements ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ The old gray mare, she
ain't what she used to be ♪
♪ Ain't what she used to be,
ain't what she used to be ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ The old gray mare, she
ain't what she used to be ♪
- [Students] She's dead!
- There you go.
- People.
I hate to break the bad news to you
but this is not Camp Swack-A-Ton-A-Wanna.
Stand up!
Leave your trays where they are.
Report to Master Gunnery
Sergeant Tuttle on the quad.
And people,
from now on, you will be
at attention in this room.
You will not speak unless spoken to by me
or a member of my staff.
And that applies to all cadets.
And, people,
don't worry about wasting the food.
It'll still be here tonight.
Dismissed.
- I realize that they were
being a little rowdy, Colonel,
but don't you think
denying children food is--
- Captain,
I hardly see this as an
academic problem, do you?
- Well, no I don't--
- Good.
Then I'll handle it.
(whistle blowing)
- Company!
Holt!
Right face!
What are you doing, Cadet Captain Pascoe?
- Teaching the cadets to march, sir!
- No, no, no, no.
That isn't what you're doing.
31 years in the Marine Corp,
I know what marching is
and this is not marching!
God in heaven may know
what you people are doing
but I do not!
About face!
Not you people, her!
About face!
You are, without a doubt,
the worst marcher I have ever seen!
- I'm a quick learner.
- You'd better be!
Carry on!
- Here you go.
- Thanks.
- Pretty rough out there, huh?
- You have no idea.
That man...
He might break those children
but he is not going to break me.
Hard Knox, indeed.
(chuckling)
It's just a name.
- Hey, wait.
- [Marilyn] What's that?
- A book of names.
Let's see.
Knox.
- Knox.
- Knox.
"Knox, solid as a rock.
"From the word hill,
"tectonic.
"Knox stands square-shouldered,
"committed to his convictions.
"He will maintain an assured course
"in his unswerving allegiance
"to what he knows to be true."
Sound like anyone we know?
- You looked bushed, Captain.
Why don't you take the
rest of the day off?
- Bushed?
I'm as solid as a rock.
- I guess you've never
seen the black lung.
- The black what?
- The black lung.
At one of our school assemblies,
this doctor showed us a lung
that they cut out of a man
who smoked two packs--
- What is your name?
- Jessi Richards, Sergeant.
- Don't you ever, I mean,
ever, call me Sergeant again.
I happen to hold the rank
of Master Gunnery Sergeant
in the United States Marine Corp
and I'm very proud of that.
So in the future, you will call me Sir,
Master Gunnery or Top, for short.
Do you understand?
- Sure, Top.
Do you cough up phlegm in the morning?
- Do I what?!
You're in Company B, right?
- Yes.
Did you know that besides
giving you bad breath,
cigarette smoking can
cause your guns to recede?
- You leave my gums out of this.
You're supposed to be getting
your room ready for inspection, Richards.
What are you doing in my shop?
- You don't like kids
very much, do you, Sarge?
- What do you mean I
don't like little kids?
- You yell louder and more
often than any person--
- I do not yell!
I simply communicate in a tone of voice
that ensures that I will not be misquoted,
misunderstood or ignored!
- That's what I said, you yell a lot.
- You listen up, new cadet.
Congress might've put you here
but that don't give you the
license to give me lectures
on the evils on nicotine or--
- Congress didn't put me here.
My grandmother did.
- I'll tell you one thing I don't like,
I don't like little kids
that talk like adults.
They make me nervous!
So you take it on the
heal and toe, young lady
and get back to your
company area on the double!
- Yes, Sergeant.
- Ow!
- Yow!
- A hundred guys here and
I get stuck with that.
You are a creep, Tyrone.
A crawling thief from under a rock.
(clapping)
- [Gary] Attention on deck.
- Sir,
I respectfully request permission
to kick some butt, please.
- Top,
let's identify it first.
- Hey, dude.
It's about time you guys showed up.
I'm ready.
- Are you under control, Top?
- No, sir.
I think you better handle this.
- Mr. Tyrone,
I have no idea what transporter
beam you came down on
but since you're here,
let me welcome you to planet Earth
and tell you how we do things here.
You have landed at a military school.
I am your guide.
I hold the rank of Colonel.
And from now on you will call me Sir
or Colonel.
And if you ever call any
of my officers or NCOs
"Dude" again,
I'm going to send you
on a trip to a galaxy
far, far away.
Understood?
(silly music)
- Come on, Shaner.
They were right here on my bunk.
Where'd you put them?
- Hey, blimpo.
If you weren't so busy stuffing your face
with those diet wafers,
you wouldn't lose your glasses.
- Hey, David, you seen my glasses?
- Don't talk so loud to poor little Davey
or he'll burst into tears again.
Here, Davey,
here's a hanky, just in case.
- Leave me alone.
- Listen up, boob,
rule one, you don't run away.
Rule two, you don't steal or rat.
Rule three,
learn to cry without making noise.
- [Gary] Attention on deck.
- Beasley, what're you doing?
- Sir, standing tall, sir.
- Son, I thought you wore glasses.
- Uh, no sir.
- Cadet Shaner.
If I recall correctly,
this is the fourth military
school you've attended,
is that right?
- Yes, sir!
- You all right, son?
- Yes, sir.
- Gentlemen,
if this room is any indication
of what you're capable of,
you'd better take a good
look at your roommate
because without his
friendship and corporation,
you're not going to cut it here.
Cadet Shaner, you earned
yourself 10 demerits
for not helping your
roommates get squared away.
(humming tune)
- That's gross.
- I know but Top Tuttle
said he wanted a spit shine.
(knocking)
- Attention!
- Oh, no, no, it's jut me, it's just me.
As you are, as you were, whatever.
You two did real well on
your first inspection.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Particularly you, Kami.
- Do you mind?
I'm trying to write a letter.
- Lights out in 10 minutes, girls.
- Why are you such a snob?
- What?
- You act like you're
better than the rest of us.
Are you?
(students crying)
- [Top] Ye gods, Colonel.
How long does this crying go on?
- [Joe] I cried for two months.
Had a roommate that cried for two years.
- [Tops] I can stand a lot of things
but I don't know how much
more of this I can take.
- [Joe] I know how much I can take.
Two weeks.
(crickets chirping)
- What are you doing, you little stoop?
It's after one o'clock.
If you get caught, it's
a hundred demerits.
- I don't care.
- Running away?
They'll just bring you back.
They always do.
- I don't think my mom
really wants me to be here.
It's my stepdad.
If I could just talk to Ma alone,
maybe--
- Don't kid yourself.
If they wanted us, they
wouldn't have left us here.
- You mean, your parents
don't want you either?
- What the hell do you think I'm here for?
My health?
- What did I do to make
it so they don't want me?
- I wish I knew.
I wish I knew.
(dramatic music)
(trumpet tune)
- Move it!
Move it!
- Would you just cool
it with the little guys?
They're scared enough.
- I'm just throwing them a
little smoke, that's all.
That's what plebes are for, to smoke.
Hold it, mister.
Don't you know how to button your shirt?
You look like a little piglet.
- Listen up, Mr. Beasley,
from now on you take a
little bit more pride
in your appearance, you understand?
- Sir, yes, sir!
- All right.
Go fall in.
- We're not their fathers, you know?
What's the stall?
Move it! Move it!
Move it!
Come on!
- From now on, you will say "Attention"
when an officer walks into a room,
is that understood, Mr. Sayers?
- Yes, sir.
- What is that?
- That, sir, is a sleeping dog.
- Come on!
Get up right now!
- Hey, dude.
Can't you see I'm into
some heavy Z's here?
Get out of my face.
(thudding)
(thudding)
- What's going on here?
- Who hit this man?
- I don't know, sir.
- I said, who hit this man?
- [Gary] I did, sir.
- Who is the executive
officer of this company?
- Bridley, sir, Jefferson Bridley.
- Get these gentlemen out of here
and get Lieutenant Bridley.
- Sir, let's go, you two.
- Sorry, sir.
I lost my temper.
- You lost more than that.
When an officer strikes an enlisted man,
he has lost his ability to lead
and I need leaders.
You're demoted to lieutenant.
- Please, sir, don't do that.
Don't take this company away from me.
Just restrict my weekends or...
Don't take away my company.
It's all I've got.
- Sir.
Cadet Lieutenant Bridley
reporting as ordered, sir!
- [Joe] Cadet Lieutenant Bridley,
you're now on command of Company B.
- Sir, yes sir!
- Well,
now I'll show you the way a
company is supposed to be run.
- [General] So you busted
one of your officers,
what's the problem?
- The problem, sir, is I think
I might've made a mistake.
Maybe if I hadn't--
- Since when does a
commanding officer have time
to deal with "maybes" and "mights?"
We all make mistakes.
- You made one, sir.
I'm the wrong man for this job
so let's just call it quits
before I do more damage.
- Officers should not be allowed
to strike their subordinates.
- Officers?
I have busted more
officers in my career, sir,
than I care to remember.
But these are children.
Not only did I bust that boy in rank,
I broke his heart.
- Let me tell you a little
bit about young Mr. Pascoe.
Alcoholic parents,
foster homes.
We got him right out of juvenal hall.
GMA's the only real home
that boy's ever known.
- Is that supposed to
make me feel better, sir?
- No.
It's supposed to refresh your memory.
That juvenal hall we
got him out of, Joseph,
was a lot like the one we got you out of.
Pascoe, like some others I've known,
is bullheaded and short-fused.
When the pressure was on,
he reverted to his street instincts.
I busted you, Joseph, twice.
Remember?
When our cadets leave here,
they're going into the
same tough world we did.
Only their world is tougher, Joseph.
Much tougher.
I want to see them prepared for it.
Don't you?
- Man, I can't wait to
get out of this place
for a few days.
Lieutenant, my mom was coming
in for a few days from LA.
- Lieutenant, you gotta
get me out of this room,
away from that animal, Tyrone--
- Shut up!
Just shut up and get
the hell off of my back!
Now I'm not your big brother
and I'm not your father
and I'm not your CO anymore!
He's down the hall, why
don't you check him out?!
- Yeah, I know how you feel.
Knox blew it, man, he totally blew it.
But don't worry about Bridley.
Couple of days from now,
after I get the saber,
I'm gonna have them mucking out the heads.
Come on, chin up, Gary,
you'll get your command back.
- Well,
if it isn't Captain Aaron
Davis from A Company.
What brings you to Company B?
Are you looking for votes for Cadet Major?
- Bridley, you know I want you to know
that when I do make Cadet Major,
my first official act
will be to bust you back
to status zero.
That's a pledge.
- Davis, I wouldn't put
on the saber just yet.
There's a new horse in the
race, or haven't you heard?
- Would you two shut up?
Now we got a problem here.
Knox.
- Yeah, we had a good thing
going when Benji was in charge.
- It's not bad enough what
this guy's done to our hair.
It's not bad enough we have
to eat cold food in silence.
We're talking room inspection every night.
No wonder the Marines
called him Hard Knox.
The guy's nuts.
Know what he did in the day room today?
- No, what?
- He caught a couple of guys
watching TV on duty time,
so he gave our set away
to the convalescent home
down the street.
- [Gary] You're kidding me.
- I'm not kidding, man.
We gotta figure out what to do...
Attention on deck!
- As you were.
Is the dump still off limits to plebes?
- Yes, sir.
- Excuse me, sir.
I just wanted to say
that the way the Colonel
handled the mass hall
situation was top rate.
And getting rid of the
TV was long overdue, sir.
- There something I can do for you, sir?
- Would you gentlemen excuse us?
- Yes, sir.
- Is there something you
want to say to me, son?
- Son?
Yeah, dad,
you looking to bust me again?
Go ahead, why not?
Why don't you bust me down to sergeant?
Or how about private?
Feel free, man, the
bird's on your shoulder.
- I'm going to forget what I
just heard, Cadet Lieutenant,
and assume the pressure of the moment
has caused you to make an ass of yourself.
- Don't do me any favors, Colonel.
You're only gonna be here for two weeks.
I can hold my breath for two weeks.
- You were gone 16 hours.
Your punishment will be staying here
while the other cadets go
home for open house weekend.
- Is that all, sir?
- That's all.
And David,
you'll find the other cadets
don't think to highly of runaways.
They can be very cruel.
You want to talk?
I'll be here.
- May I go now, sir?
- Yes.
- Got a minute, sir?
- Sure, Top, what can I do for you?
- It's worse than bootcamp out there, sir.
12 fights yesterday and that's
just the ones I know about.
You better come up with something soon
to get their minds off each other
or we're in a lot of trouble.
- I know.
Top, hold the fort.
I'm gonna see a man about a brass ax.
- A brass what?
(soldiers chanting)
- Colonel, as I was saying earlier,
we could probably start you out at twice
what the old man's paying you down there.
- The General isn't paying me anything.
- Well, there it is.
Old Tom Evans, or historian,
was the only one who knew what it was.
It's a bit dusty.
- Brass Ax.
A lot of memories here.
A lot of memories here, Major.
- With our compliments.
- Oh no, you misunderstood.
Brass Ax isn't something you give,
it's something you take.
And we intend to take it back.
- You don't mean,
Vickers Hill against Garfield?
- Red and White War.
- You're serious, aren't you?
- Absolutely.
- Red and White War?
Are you kidding me?
What's a Red and White War?
- Against Vickers Hill, no less.
- There's no way the old
man's getting away with this.
I guarantee you not one cadet volunteers.
Not one.
Remember, not one!
- Hey, here comes Red.
Fall in, let's go, on the double!
- No volunteers, no volunteers.
I don't wanna see any
volunteers, you hear that?
No volunteers.
No volunteers.
No volunteers.
No volunteers, Pascoe.
- People!
Red and White War!
I'm looking for a few good men.
And women.
Well, just so nobody gets
trampled in the rush,
I'll do this company by company.
Company A, all those who
would like to participate
in the Red and White War, step forward.
How about all you cadets in Company B?
(somber music)
- Sir, Cadet Lieutenant
Gary Pascoe volunteers, sir!
(dramatic music)
- Sir, Cadet Sayers volunteers, sir!
- I'll do it, Top.
- Me too.
- I'm here.
I'm ready.
And I'll brass ax any fancy
sucker that gets in my road.
(dramatic music)
- Sir, Cadet Lieutenant Bridley volunteers
to recapture the Brass Ax
and bring it back to Garfield, sir!
Thanks a lot, man.
Make me look like an idiot in
front of the whole battalion.
I told you, no volunteers.
- Since when do you tell me anything?
- Come on.
Come on, hit me.
You're very good at that.
I'd love to see you
wearing corporal stripes.
Look, man!
I have a chance to make cadet major.
You took yourself right out of it.
It's between me and Davis, now.
And I want the gold saber.
- So what's stopping you?
- Stopping me?
I'll tell you what's stopping me.
You went and opened your big mouth
and now we're committed
to fight some stupid damn,
Red and White War?
All we got is a bunch of
snot-nosed kids, girls,
screw offs!
And when we get creamed out there,
I'm gonna be the laughing
stock of this whole place.
And from now on,
you call me sir.
(ominous music)
(upbeat music)
- [Top] Stay low, get
out of that barbed wire!
Don't bunch up, people, don't bunch up!
One grenade will get you all.
Spread out! Spread out!
Move it! Move it!
(groaning)
Move!
Watch the barb wire.
Stay low!
Get it! Get it!
- Will we actually get to meet
these guys from Vickers Hill?
I mean, will we be able to talk to them
and stuff like that?
- Stuff like what?
We're talking warfare, here, cadet.
Not a damn disco dance.
- Is this really necessary?
I mean, really getting down in the dirty?
- It is if you wanna meet
one of those nice boys
from Vickers Hill.
Get down here and get dirty!
(upbeat music)
Don't be afraid of pain, people!
When it hurts, push
yourself a little harder!
It won't kill you, I promise you!
(upbeat music)
(splashing)
(upbeat music)
Five!
Six!
And up!
And down!
Up!
Down!
Up!
Down!
One
and two!
And three!
And four!
And five!
Six!
And seven!
And eight!
And nine!
And ten!
- Hey, blubber body!
That's the first thing you've done right!
- Get lost.
Hey, Davis.
- Shut up!
Nobody talks to a runaway.
- Oh yeah.
I forgot.
- It isn't our fault his
momma doesn't want him.
- Look who's talking.
- Don't you ever mention my mother again.
She's beautiful and she loves me.
She's busy.
That's all.
- Bridley and Pascoe, knock it off!
Come on, Sayers!
- Come on, Sayers!
- Any day, any day and I'll get you!
- I'm gonna haunt your dreams!
- [Sayers] Any day, man!
- As you were!
Fall in!
Everybody back on the double!
Teamwork, people.
Teamwork.
We have three days to determine
what the term "teamwork" means.
The rule books says you
must get over the wall.
Doesn't say how.
Tyrone, get out of my field if vision.
Cadet Sayers.
- Yes, sir.
- Cadet Richards.
Take her heel.
Go cadet!
- That a boy!
- Oh no, please don't feel
like you have to salute.
My arm is getting sore.
- Yes, Captain.
- [Joe] All right,
everybody go around again!
- Top.
- Yes, ma'am.
- I'm curious about something.
You've known Colonel Knox a long time.
Doesn't it bother him that
so many people dislike him?
I mean, I realize the
importance of discipline
and "Hard Knox" and all that.
I think they actually hate him.
- These kids came here
carrying lots of hate.
Right now, it's directed at each other.
Colonel Knox is just trying
to redirect it on to himself, that's all.
- I don't see how he takes it.
- He's a Marine.
- Oh.
Oh, and Top, I almost forgot.
I've arranged a social mixer for tonight.
- A social what?
- A social mixer, a dance.
We are going some of the
cadets to Vickers Hill
and I've arranged for a group of girls
form Greenbrier Prep school to go over.
- Ma'am, I really hope you've talked
to Colonel Knox about this.
- Of course I have.
And through his strenuous objections,
I simply replied that this
is an academic activity.
Not a military one.
- Yes, ma'am.
- I'll see you tonight.
- Yes, ma'am.
- The most important
thing about this evening
is to have a good time, all right?
I want everybody to enjoy themselves,
get to know the cadets and
the girls from Vickers Hill.
Behave yourself, Eric, all right?
You have a good time, are you excited?
- Yeah.
- Good, all right.
Have a good time, it's inside.
Have a good time.
- This is a great idea.
- You look wonderful.
(upbeat music)
Cadet Pascoe, why don't you
ask Mary, here, to dance?
(upbeat music)
(chattering)
- I'd like to put that big
blonde dude right on the floor
and dance on his face.
- You make me sick.
- Is that weird or is that weird?
- I don't know, he's different.
That one's mine.
- Girls, there is nothing wrong
with asking boys to dance.
- [Girl] Well, I can't dance.
- You can't dance?
(upbeat music)
- Would you like to dance?
- Yeah, sure.
(upbeat music)
- Kami, are you having a good time?
- Yeah.
- Good deal.
- Hi, Rene.
- Hey, Kami.
Too bad your parents couldn't
transfer you over this term.
I'd hate to be a Garfy.
- Yeah, but maybe I'll be able to--
- Could you introduce me to somebody?
- Sure, who?
- Him.
(upbeat music)
- Him?
That's just Pascoe.
(upbeat music)
- You see, I told you there
was nothing to worry about.
- Excuse me, ma'am, sir.
I was just wondering if I
might stop over sometime
and you could tell me about the F-18.
How it handles.
- I'd be glad to.
Anytime, cadet.
- Thank you, sir.
- Tell me, Colonel, why is it
that you never attended Vickers Hill?
- For the same reason our cadets don't.
Our parents couldn't afford it.
- Colonel.
Marilyn, may I have this dance?
- Certainly.
(upbeat music)
- Hey, Pascoe.
You haven't got any guts
unless you cut in on Kami.
- Hey Gary, come on, do it!
Cut in on her.
I dare you.
- What do you got to lose?
Teeth?
(laughing)
(upbeat music)
- Excuse me, can I cut in?
- Thanks for the dance, Kami.
- You're welcome.
Thanks a lot, Pascoe.
Jeez.
(upbeat music)
(laughing)
- Excuse me, ma'am,
Major Garfield was
looking for both of you.
He said it was important.
- Where is he?
- He's downstairs.
- All right, thank you.
- Yes.
(upbeat music)
- Sir, Top Tuttle was
looking for you outside.
- Thank you, cadet.
(upbeat music)
- May I cut in?
- No.
(upbeat music)
- Hey, Major, the head
dude wants you outside.
Hip-hip.
- Can you handle the records for me?
They're all in order.
- Oh yeah, sure Major, you go right ahead.
(music muting)
(exciting music)
♪ I got everything you want ♪
♪ Everything that you need ♪
♪ You gotta show me ♪
♪ Give me a sign ♪
♪ Show me ♪
♪ Show me ♪
♪ You've gotta show me, baby ♪
♪ I've been waiting to see ♪
- I thought your were outside, Colonel,
you wanted to see me.
- No, Cadet Shaner said that
you wanted to see me, Tops.
(yelling)
- Tyrone!
- Hey, relax.
We'll get him later.
- Tyrone!
(music muting)
Attention!
Get out here!
- Captain Cole has put
forth a lot of effort
to give you people a little
break in your routine.
I'm sure she appreciates your thank you.
Major!
GMA apologizes to Vickers Hill.
Top,
get them out of here.
Don't take it so hard.
It was a good try, kid.
I really appreciate your efforts.
- I've had it.
(somber music)
- In less than two weeks you've
gotten into several fights,
failed every one of your inspections
and you're flunking all of your grades.
- So, kick me out.
- You'd like that, wouldn't you?
(chuckling)
- Hey, man.
- Sir!
- Sir.
I don't belong here.
So why don't you save
yourself some aggravation
and save my grandfather some cash
and put me back on the
street where I belong?
- You know what I think?
I think you're feeling guilty
because your grandfather loves you so much
he took out a loan to
get your off the street
and to put you in here.
- I'll tell you what my problem is.
My problem is you and everybody like you.
Telling me when to get up, when to eat,
when to sleep.
You know what I want, I want control, man.
For once in my life, I want control.
- Why didn't you say so?
(buzzing)
An airplane has three
basic control movements.
Roll, which is controlled
through the yoke,
moves the ailerons like this.
(buzzing)
Yaw, which moves the
aircraft from side-to-side,
is controlled by the peddles.
Lose the rudders.
And pitch,
which moves the elevator up
and down with the yoke.
- What're you doing now?
- Putting the plane on autopilot.
(laughing)
Look how smoothly she flies by herself.
Put your hand on the yoke.
- Huh?
- Go ahead.
Now press that button.
- [Tyrone] What does that do?
- That releases the autopilot.
- Hey, what're you doing, man?!
- You said you wanted
control, you've got control.
- No!
- Better pull back on the yoke.
Push back on the yoke or
we're going into orbit.
Gently, push back gently.
On one smooth motion,
put your right foot on the peddle
and your left hand on the yoke.
- Hey.
Don't slash me, man, I'm
really flying this sucker?
- [Joe] I'm not slashing you, man.
You're in control.
- [Tyrone] Hey, let's put
this sucker on afterburner!
- We are the White Team.
Vickers Hill is the Red Team.
And this is our objective.
To get their flag and to
cross the finish line first.
It lies 13 miles due north of GMA
and 13 miles south of Vickers Hill.
There will be referees to keep score.
Each team will be issued one map,
one compass,
and one first aid kit.
- Excuse me.
- Yes, Captain Cole.
- What about guns and bullets?
I mean, this is a war.
- These are your weapons.
Nine balloons filled with white dye.
Vickers will have red.
When one of you gets it with
a balloon, and you will,
you're out.
Period.
I wish you well, people.
And I want you to try your hardest.
And that's the best you can do.
Lieutenant Bridley assures me that he has
your battle plan well in hand.
You depart at 0-800.
So get a good night's rest.
And remember the magic words.
Maximum utilization
of available resources.
Goodnight.
- Vickers! Vickers! Vickers!
- [All] Ho!
- Vickers! Vickers! Vickers!
- [All] Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers! Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers! Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers! Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers! Ho!
(drums rolling)
(trumpet tune)
(people laughing)
- Good luck!
You're gonna need it!
(upbeat music)
- Vickers! Vickers! Vickers!
Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers!
Ho!
Vickers! Vickers! Vickers!
Ho!
(upbeat music)
(splashing)
(upbeat music)
- Come on, Beasley, get up.
- No.
No more, please.
(upbeat music)
- Come on!
- What're you doing?
- Get back to your assigned position!
- This is your great strategy, huh?
Run everybody till they drop.
That'd be fine if it were
just you but it's not.
Look at them.
- Look, they knew that
they were getting into.
If they can't cut it, tough.
I'm gonna cross the finish line.
- Oh, that's just super.
The hell with the rest of us.
Well hail the great leader.
I'm finished and so are the little ones.
- I'm finished messing with you too, fool.
- Get your claws off my roommate, creep!
- Lighten up!
Now just back off!
Now nobody here is finished
until we're all finished.
- I'm starting to see the picture now.
The great Pascoe's gonna take over.
Gonna save the day?
- No, man, it's not what I'm gonna do.
And it's not what you're gonna do.
It's what we're gonna do.
Now we're gonna start acting like a team.
Maximum utilization of
available resources.
- Wanna give it a try?
- Yeah.
Let's get 'em!
(laughing)
(upbeat music)
- One at a time.
- Do it again.
- Let's go, little guys.
Little guys.
Come on.
(upbeat music)
- Hey.
Where's Ambrose?
- Oh, I told you to
watch that little creep.
Now we're disqualified.
- I knew he'd run away.
I knew it.
- What now, Pascoe?
- I don't care if we are
disqualified, we're gonna finish.
Let's move out.
- Oh man.
(ominous music)
(dramatic music)
- Ambush!
Move it!
Ambush!
Red!
- Look!
Over there!
- Go!
Go!
(upbeat music)
- Stop!
Could be a trap!
- I haven't seen any of your
student body here, Major.
- Our polo team is playing city
today for the championship.
They're pretty worked up about that.
- Oh, that's where Benjamin is.
- In fact, we can just make
it back if the boys hurry.
- Hey.
Where'd everybody?
Don't leave me alone.
You promised you wouldn't leave me alone.
I lost my glasses.
- What's the matter, little Garf,
did you get left behind?
- I get the honors.
(laughing)
- You guys are stupider than I am.
(chuckling)
(splattering)
(laughing)
(crowd applauding)
- All right!
- Sergeant Tuttle.
I'm Jill Richards, Jessi's grandmother.
- Oh yeah, little Jessi.
- I just wanted to say thank
you for being so good to her.
She writes about you in all her letters.
- Really?
- That little girl's had a hard go of it.
Her mother's dead, was
raised by her father.
You do know that he died last year.
- No, I didn't.
- Well, that's why I sent her to Garfield.
You see, all her life people
have been babying her,
with all the right motives, of course.
But everybody feels so sorry for her,
they won't let her grow up.
- Miss Richards,
how did Jessi's father die?
- My son was a heavy smoker.
- There's four.
- Okay.
Kami, you ready?
- Listen, generic,
I'm doing this under protest.
Hi there.
- Kami, what're you doing here?
- We wanna watch you cream those guys.
- All right.
You got front row seats.
- You want a cold drink or something?
- Sure.
(splattering)
(screaming)
- [Young Vicker] Kami, I don't know how
you could've done this to us.
- You generics are a bunch of sexists.
That's the oldest trick in the book.
(birds chirping)
(groaning)
- [Gary] He's in there man, I know it.
- Okay.
Wait a minute, I'm gonna go in there.
With our last balloon, I'm gonna get out.
- No you're not.
Here's what we're gonna do.
Come here.
Hey, Vicky!
Garf's gonna get you.
You're looking the wrong
way, I'm over here!
Not even close, Vicky.
Come on.
Come on, I'll give you one more shot.
(splattering)
- Pascoe, why are you doing this?
- You still don't get it, do you?
This is a team.
You're the fastest person on the team.
Move out!
(somber music)
(upbeat music)
- Garf!
(ominous music)
Garf!
I'm gonna run you to death!
(ominous music)
(upbeat music)
(groaning)
(ominous music)
What's the matter, Garf?
Can't keep up with a Vicky?
(upbeat music)
- Here they come!
Come on, boy!
(cheering)
(dramatic music)
(cheering)
- The most you could
even hope for is a tie.
- [Joe] That's all we ever wanted.
(dramatic music)
- GMA, all the way.
(dramatic music)
(exciting music)
(dramatic music)
(cheering and applauding)
(exciting military music)
- Company,
halt!
Left face!
(exciting military music)
- Company
halt!
Left
face!
- There is a tradition here at Garfield
that one cadet be chosen
to serve as Cadet Major
and lead the battalion
for the coming year.
It hasn't been an easy choice for me.
We have several cadets
whose academic record,
whose all around leadership abilities
more than qualify them to
hold this honored position.
But, as in past years,
there is one cadet who stands out.
One cadet who didn't wait for
the saber to be awarded him
but stepped forward and took it.
Cadet Lieutenant Gary Pascoe.
Front and center.
(clapping)
Colonel.
I am proud to present
our new Cadet Major.
- Cadet Major Pascoe,
you'll find that saber a heavy burden
if you try to carry it alone.
Dismiss your troops for the weekend.
- Thank you, sir.
Battalion!
- [Battalion] Yes!
- Dismissed!
- [Battalion] Aye, aye, sir.
(cheering)
(upbeat military music)
(cheering)
- Be right back, Grandma.
I have to go say goodbye to someone.
- Take your time, dear.
- Richards!
You know you're not supposed
to be double-timing on this walk.
- Yes, Sergeant.
(dramatic music)
You're proud of me, aren't you, Top?
- A little bit.
- Well, goodbye.
- Cadet?
Get rid of these for me.
- I love you.
- Go on.
Get out of here.
If I ever see you again,
you better be standing tall.
(dramatic music)
- We kind of...
We kinda all wanted to say thank you
for, you know, for what you did for us.
So, we all pitched in and we got you this.
(laughing)
- Tyrone!
You nasty little--
- Cadets!
Four words.
Have a good weekend.
(laughing)
- What did you get me into this time?
Sir?
- You didn't get a draft notice, Top.
You volunteered, remember?
What do you say we give them
a little surprise of our own
and show up on Monday morning.
(upbeat music)