The Lords of Discipline (1983) Movie Script

Sir! Mr. Alexander, sir!

Permission to

cross your quad, sir!

Rack that chin in, scumbag.

You look like a piece of shit.

Eyes front, maggot.

Eyes front!

What's your name, screw?

Pop off. Sir, my...

Shut up! Tell me your name.

Sir, my...

Uh, can't you hear, scum?

He told you to shut up.

Sir, no excuse...

Shut up.

We're gonna break you, boy.

We love to break Knobs.

Mr. Macabbee.

Y'all have a religious belief

against washing this car?

No, but my mama told me,

never talk to a man in uniform.

Shoot.

Halt, Bubba! Pop to, you bum.

What are you

doing here so early?

I'm spending the

day in Charleston, sir.

Tell me, Bubba, where does

a faggot English major like you

spend his summer vacation, huh?

Havana?

Peking?

The Kremlin, sir. Hm?

Me and Nikita Khrushchev

have been plotting the overthrow

of the fiercest fighting man

in the United States Army.

Oh?

A man with the soul of a lion,

the heart of an elephant...

the brains of a gnat,

and the sexual organs

of a Girl Scout, sir.

And whom might that be, Bubba?

Why, Colonel Berrineau, sir.

Bubba, you get your

ass back here by 1700.

There's something I

want you to do for me.

Is that an order, Bear?

Bubba!

It's good to see you.

It's good to see you too, Bear.

Park your car,

you go to the left,

and then you go right...

At Huntington and Malibu

They're shootin' the pier ♪

At Rincon They're

walkin' the nose ♪

We're goin' on safari To

the islands this year ♪

So if you're coming

Get ready to go ♪

Hey, what's your problem,

McClean? Got a date?

Yeah, with Tradd.

Shoot. I always knew you

were cornholing your roommate,

you little pissant.

We're very much

in love, Macabbee.

Uh-huh.

Let's go surfin' now

Everybody's learnin' how ♪

Come on and safari with me ♪

Gothca.

Hello, Will.

Henry, be careful

of the azalea roots.

Abigail.

Will! Oh, Will.

Welcome back. Oh, we

all missed you so much.

But I missed you the most.

You did? Mmmm.

Oh, Will, so much

happened this summer.

But it was all so boring

I'm not even gonna tell you.

Oh... you are a spectacle.

If I wasn't married to Commerce,

I'd teach you a trick or two.

Abigail.

Oh, don't think I wouldn't.

Hey, Will, you get

your butt in here.

Ah, go on in, honey,

I'll be right back.

Hey, thank God you're back, boy.

Now I can talk to somebody.

Tradd and Abigail

think the Yankees

is who whupped us in the war.

Sit down. Sit down.

Oh, the Giants'll kill them.

Yeah, I know it.

Hey, senior year, eh?

Yes, sir.

I'll tell you, Will,

during my last

year at the Institute,

I had Charleston women

buzzing around me like...

Like flies on a mule.

That's right.

You two.

Well, look at him, Abigail.

Now, that boy

looks like a soldier,

even if he don't act like it.

Yeah, he is something. Mmm.

You could put a suit

of armor on Tradd,

he's still gonna look

like a hairdresser.

Commerce, that's

perfectly horrible.

Well, will you listen to that.

That's Mozart.

Did you ever hear such a racket?

Phew.

Nice. Come here.

Hey, come on.

Watch the sacred bod, will you?

How are you?

I'm fine.

Good. Good.

Hey, is your side of the room

gonna look like the

city dump this year?

Am I gonna be able

to breathe in there?

Boston won.

Oh, uh, they play a

game called baseball.

Will, would you

explain it to him, please?

I don't have to ask

how your summer went.

No, it was fine.

I was in Europe,

and he was locked

in his study, as usual.

Doing what?

Writing in his journal.

Probably about the great

disappointments in his life.

Like his son.

Tradd.

Will,

this is the key to the house.

You know you don't need it.

You can knock on the door here

any time of the day

or night, but we all...

My parents and I

wanted you to have it.

Thanks. Yeah.

Pledge, strut out here!

Get the hell outta here!

What are you looking at?!

Look at this ugly slat here.

Hey, you're supposed

to salute, boy.

Poor little mama's boy!

We gonna make you drive to

the desert and sleep forever!

Count off!

One! Delta! Delta! Delta!

One, two! One, two! One, two!

We ain't running a

boys' club around here

to see little schoolgirls

grow up to be Girl Scouts!

Get those knees

up, this fuckin' high!

Come on now!

Say goodbye to Mommy and Daddy.

Right over there.

Thank you, boy.

Come on down, do you

understand? Get those knees up!

Oh... here's Pignetti's kitty.

Hey, Will, put in 5 for me.

Oh, sure.

Oh, God! Oh, Mark,

you scared the living

hell out of me, you wop.

You know, it hurts me when

a very ugly person like yourself

casts aspersions on my heritage.

Oh, no, no, no, we

love all things Italian.

Oil slicks, lube jobs,

that kind of thing.

We got nothing

against that kind of...

Excuse me!

Over there, toe cheese.

Pig.

I can't talk now, paisans, huh?

Toe cheese here

just insulted my girl.

I didn't know you

had a girl, Pig!

It's Mr. Pignetti to

you, worm-head!

Now, watch as I show you

the woman you insulted.

We're gonna tame you!

We're gonna make

you, do you understand?!

This is the taming!

Get your eyes off her!

If you only knew

how good she was,

how humble and quiet and smart,

you'd be so ashamed,

you'd beg me to kill you.

What did Gooch say, Pig?

Go on, tell Mr. McClean

what you said.

I asked him if he got

any pussy this summer.

You heard it, he said

that in front of Teresa.

But, Pig, this is not Teresa.

It's a...

It's just a

photograph of Teresa.

Listen, you kiss the

statue of the Virgin,

you kiss the Mother

of God herself, okay?

Excuse me.

Gooch. It's Mark, Gooch.

Gooch, apologize to

the photo of Teresa,

Mr. Pignetti will let you go.

Come on.

I'm sorry, Teresa.

I'm really...

What did I say wrong?

You know, it's all I can do

to keep from tearing your

tongue outta your head.

Call her Miss DeVito.

I'm sorry, Miss

DeVito. I'm really sorry.

Get outta here!

Run, Gooch! Get outta here!

Paisans, huh?

Listen, you know what

I learned this summer?

What?

How to kill just

using my thumbs.

Oh, Pig, you're an animal!

Squeal!

What's the name of your

company commander?

You pussy! You pantywaist!

What's the name of your

company commander?

I don't know, sir. What?!

What?! What?!

What are you looking for?

Fly shit in the sugar.

There. Over there.

- Say it!

- Yes, sir!

Jesus Christ, he showed up.

- Say, "I'm ugly!"

"I'm an ugly black

boy," you say it!

I'm an ugly black boy, sir!

That's it! "I'm an ugly

shoeshine," you say it, boy!

I'm an ugly shoeshine, sir!

God almighty, damn.

He ain't here to fry

chicken or mow the lawn.

That Negro's joining

the Long Gray Line.

Yeah, for about one night,

till the Corps of

Cadets finds out a...

Yeah, a pickaninny,

a jigaboo, a coon.

Why not plain old nigger?

He's gonna hear them

all... and worse, by tomorrow.

What do you want with me?

A little upper-class teeth.

Bear, you're the

commandant of cadets.

I mean, it's your job to...

It's not my job

to play favorites.

No, it's gonna

have to be a cadet

that runs interference

for Mr. Pearce.

Yeah, but interference

against the whole corps?

If that's what it takes.

Oh, Bear.

What are you looking at?!

Are you a racist?

Yeah, I'm a racist.

I'd like nothing better

than to see Mr. Pearce move

his black ass right outta here.

Well, then why not

let him get pushed?

Because from now on,

Pearce is one of my lambs,

and all of my lambs

get an even break.

Yeah, but putting

my neck out for a...

Who looked after you when

you were a screw-up Knob?

Well, you did, but...

Who saw something in

you besides arrogance?

Who made you into a cadet?

Bear, you did.

Bubba. I'm calling

my marker due.

They let him in, huh?

I can't believe it.

This is gonna be the

greatest Hell Night on record.

Christ, a goddamn nigger.

They're gonna rip him to shreds.

So, what's the

matter with you, huh?

Nothing.

What do you mean, nothing?

I mean, nothing.

Like no thing is wrong. Nothing.

Hey, listen, you got a problem,

you come to your paisans, okay?

Come on, Will, there's nothing

you can't come to us about.

I mean, you want me to hand

someone their head or something?

No.

It's lights out.

Lights out! WILL:

Watch it, watch it.

Lights out!

Hey, Will.

Hey, listen, any time

you wanna talk, okay?

Okay.

It's really good

to see you guys.

Let's make this a good year.

Yeah.

Pig?

Huh?

I was just wondering.

What?

You get any pussy this

summer? Any poontang?

Hey, what...? What

are you doing?

Sir, would you or

any other fine, kind,

refined Northern or Southern

gentleman at this mess

care to partake of any

food off my plate, sir?

Well, I don't know. The

meat loaf looks pretty good.

You hungry, Will?

Go ahead and eat your food.

Come on, mangia. What

are you, a goddamn ballerina?

Give me some of these peas, boy.

Well, I'll take some

of your carrots.

Eat up, boy, that's gonna get

cold on you. You too, Poteete.

Hey, boy, your

face is dirty, boy.

You got my arm

all wet, Gilbreath.

Looks like a water

monkey or something.

Gentlemen,

members of the Honor Court...

the Institute's Code of

Honor is a simple one.

A cadet will not

lie, cheat or steal

or tolerate those who do.

It is a simple code,

but it is a stern code.

There are no

second chances here.

One is either an

honorable man or one is not.

And the Institute

does not forgive.

Make no mistake,

gentlemen, life here is hard.

But the rigors of this system

produce a superior breed of man.

Something this country

needs now more than ever

because America is fat.

America is fat, sloppy, immoral,

and she needs men of iron

to set her on the

right path again.

She needs Institute men.

Men you are not now.

But for those of you who

have the courage to remain,

the men you shall become.

Jeez, I love Hell Night.

Why?

I don't know. I'm...

I'm sentimental, okay?

All right, fat

boys, skinny boys,

all you little boys down there,

come on, we want you boys now!

You boys are in

for a treat tonight.

It's gonna be a lot of fun!

We're gonna break you, boy.

Gentlemen, the Fourth

Year System is now in effect.

Let's go!

Let's go! Come on!

Class, let's go. Come on!

Come on, Will.

Let's go. It's a party!

Get up now, boy!

Come on, get up! Get up!

You know what

this is, boy? Pop off.

It's a quarter, sir.

Shut up!

Open your mouth and

stick out your tongue.

All right, move it. Let's see

those knees on those chins.

Swallow it.

That's good, boy.

That's real good.

You're gonna be

my little piggy bank.

Come on, Ken, we're

gonna miss the sweat party!

Let's go. Come on. Let's go!

Go, Seabiscuit!

Mark! Mark, Mark,

where's Pearce?

Hey, find your own victims, huh?

Come on, fat boy!

Let's go. Let's go. Come on.

I hope you said your prayers

because we're

gonna kill you tonight!

What do you think of that, huh?!

Nothing, sir.

Shut up! I want

you to stick your dick

in the asshole in front of you!

You hear me, you

vultures? You pantywaists!

You pussies! I'm gonna

rip your balls off, pal!

Go on! You hear me? You pussies!

You afterbirth! I hate

you! I wanna kill all of you!

You hear me?

Freeze, nigger! Don't

take another goddamn step!

What's the matter with you, boy?

Didn't you understand

what I just said?

He's gonna die, sir!

What? He's gonna die!

He's not gonna die, Mr. Pearce.

He's gonna be just fine.

Keep your...

Twelve.

Thirteen.

Fourteen. You better

get it up, nigger boy.

They're gonna send you

home in a box to your mammy.

Let's shish-kebab this coon.

Come on, John, let

me hold the sword.

You just keep on, boy.

Nobody told you to stop.

You know the rules, Alexander.

You can have any fun you want,

but you touch one hair

on any of my lambs,

and you'll pay the Bear.

Yes, sir! All right,

Pearce, pull-ups! Move it!

Get up, you nigger!

Bubba, don't make

me do your job again.

Yes! Pull-ups!

Get up, boy!

You're dead meat now, boy!

Let's go!

Get up! What are

you doing lying down?

Oh, God, get up! I want

you on your feet right now!

Get up at attention! I

don't care if you die or not!

Now, get up! You

wanna become a man?

Yes, sir.

Well, you better start

working on it right now!

You know what I mean?

Get rid of that stomach!

You can't be a

scumbag in this school!

We only have men here!

You wanna stay around?!

Shut up! I don't wanna

hear you anymore!

I want you to either become

a person or nothing, okay?!

You can get out of here tonight

or else you can become a man!

You understand me?!

Pig! Pig, stop it!

Pig, stop it!

I'll take care of Poteete.

I'll take care of it.

Come on, big boy!

Come on home to Daddy!

They can't make me leave here.

I don't care what they do to me.

They can't make me leave here.

They can't make me leave here!

Well, then, Poteete,

you can't cry.

You've got to stop crying,

or they're gonna run you out.

You can't cry or piss

in your pants or nothing.

I've never pissed in my pants.

Yeah?

Neither did a friend

of mine till Hell Night.

Then he couldn't stop

pissing in his pants.

But they'll run

you out if you cry.

I won't cry.

Morning mess

formation in two hours.

Want everybody sleeping soundly.

Morning mess

formation in two hours.

Get some sleep in there!

Pearce. Pearce.

Shut up. Go to sleep, man.

I can't.

Pearce!

Come on.

Help! Help!

Look down, mister.

Pop to, mister.

Silence.

Do you know who's behind you?

No...

The Ten. The Ten is behind you.

You'd be better

off stepping forward

than stepping back into

the hands of The Ten.

You face us, boy,

you're going on the ride.

You're going down the hole.

Don't move.

Don't turn around.

Fall in!

Come on, maggots!

What are you looking at?

Rack that chin in!

Rack it in! Rack it in!

What are you doing?

I'm gonna have your

ass for breakfast.

I'm gonna have

your ass on toast.

What are you looking at?

You wanna look up my butt?

I'll stick your head up my butt.

What are you looking at?!

Shut up! You

think that's funny?!

Shit.

Who...? Who is that?

That's Poteete.

Poteete! Goddamn it, you

fat faggot, get down here!

All right, eyes straight ahead.

You stay in formation.

Poteete, get down from here.

I can't, sir.

Why not?

They won't let me.

Poteete, there's nobody up here.

I don't wanna face The Ten.

If I face The Ten,

I'm going on a ride.

What?

I'm going down the hole.

Who told you that?

But, sir, I...

Poteete.

I'm tired, sir.

Come on, we'll get

you in the cooler.

No!

It's the infirmary, Poteete.

The infirmary so you get

some sleep. Get some sleep.

Shhh.

Just get some sleep. Come on.

Goddamn.

Oh, shit.

What do you mean? Come

on, what do you mean?

I mean, the Bear's ordered

me to look after Pearce,

and that's exactly

what I'm gonna do.

Some people don't belong here.

Is that the way you feel?

I don't want us to

fight over the system.

No, let's fight about it

if that's what he wants.

Okay, Will, you're

against the system.

You're against patriotism.

We all know what you're

against. Now tell us what you're for.

Us, here in this room.

And Pearce.

Why?

He doesn't belong here.

Why the hell are you doing this?

Well, how about

because it's right?

Oh, I get it. I understand now.

Will is a candidate

for sainthood.

That's it. We gotta

wire the pope.

St. Will, protector of niggers

and all other forms

of alligator bait.

Forgive us, Will,

for we have sinned.

Oh, pray for us, Will, now and

at the hour of our death, amen.

Oh, please help me

pass biology, Will.

Make us nice to niggers.

Intercede for us, Will.

We're just the

dirt on your shoes.

So good. So right. So clean.

Kick me in the

teeth, St. Willie.

The general wants to see you.

Durrell? I don't even

have any demerits yet.

The great man waiteth, Bubba.

Sir, Cadet McClean

reporting as ordered,

sir.

You have lint on your

blouse, Mr. McClean.

I sent for you because I noticed

that you didn't

participate in Hell Night.

No, sir.

Why?

Well, sir,

as I didn't like it very much

when it was done to me,

and I didn't want to

do it to anybody else.

There's a statement

here in your record

that you applied for

admission to the Institute

at the request of

your dying father.

Yes, sir.

He figured it'd make

a man of me, sir.

But your record

during your Knob year

indicates anything

but manly behavior.

It's childish.

Yes, sir. If it hadn't

been for the...

If it hadn't been for

Colonel Berrineau,

I don't think I

would have made it.

Well, let's be glad that

the colonel could help.

Let's see, it's,

uh, Will, isn't it?

Yes, sir.

At ease, Will.

How do you think I

feel about Hell Night?

Well, I don't know, sir.

I hate it.

I loathe deliberate cruelty

because I'm a soldier,

not a sadist.

But, Will, you

have to understand

the purpose of the Institute.

We are called to produce

something special,

almost unique in

this day and age:

the whole man.

The system is

hard, but it's fair.

And more importantly, it works.

Yes, sir. It's just...

Yes?

Well, sir, will it

work for Mr. Pearce?

Pearce?

What's your interest

in Mr. Pearce?

Oh, well, the whole school's

interested in Cadet Pearce, sir.

Let me tell you something, Will.

I've seen combat in two wars.

And I've seen heroism.

But I've never seen

greater courage

than that displayed

by Mr. Pearce

when he walked

through our gates.

The system will work,

even for Mr. Pearce.

Yes, sir.

But for it to work, Will,

it needs... It must have

your active participation.

Even in the hazing

of Knobs, sir?

Certainly hazing of Knobs.

That's part of your duty, Will.

The Institute is

asking for your help.

So am I.

Yes, sir.

Well, that's all I have to say.

Thank you for coming in, Will.

Bear, what's The Ten?

The what?

The Ten.

That's a funny question, Bubba.

Is it? Why?

Well, when I was a cadet here,

back before the

beginning of time...

When dinosaurs ruled the earth.

That's right, Bubba.

Well, back then, they used

to say that the cadre sleeps,

Corps of Cadets

sleeps, but The Ten...

they don't never sleep.

I guess everything comes

back around sooner or later.

Don't you know, Bubba,

nothing ever

changes around here?

Yes, sir.

And that's the way I like it.

Except for Pearce.

What's the hole, Bear?

Well,

the hole is where The

Ten would take you

if you cross the Institute

in thought, word or deed,

even in your dreams.

Into the bowels of

the Earth, into hellfire.

Even if you come out alive,

you wish you was dead.

Hm.

Is the hole a real place?

Is hell a real place?

I don't know.

I don't know either, Bubba.

But I know one thing, I sure

as hell don't wanna go there.

You know what I mean?

Will!

Will. Poteete.

What?

Stupid ass, get off the roof!

Get down, boy! Come

on, boy, get down!

Poteete!

What the hell's going on?

Poteete!

If I do this,

they'll leave me alone!

Who?

They'll let me be a cadet,

and they'll let

me wear the ring!

Who, Poteete?! Who?!

Poteete!

Jump!

Oh, God.

You know, I think

the general's at fault

for letting somebody

like Poteete in.

Or Poteete's father.

Now, he should've known

that the guy was unbalanced.

You and I were not

the toughest guys

to ever walk in Durrell Gate.

We went through Hell

Night, and we didn't go crazy.

Yeah, but it was something else.

It was somebody else.

Somebody else what?

Somebody didn't want Poteete in.

Got scared,

thought he might stick it out.

Who is this?

I don't know.

Just something Poteete said.

Was this after he cracked up?

Yep.

Tell me something, you wouldn't

let Pearce in here, would you?

Not unless he came

to cut the grass.

Will, I don't have

anything against Pearce.

It's just the way it is.

It's just the way

it's always been.

Get your knees

up this high, boy.

Why don't you just

get the hell out of here,

make it easier on everybody.

Don't worry about me, sir!

Dumb-ass.

They won't run me out, sir!

Well, if they try, I

wanna know about it.

Sir?

Come to me, just

me. You understand?

If anything happens,

anything weird,

anything at all,

you tell me.

This is gonna be

the last time we talk,

so if you've got

something you wanna say,

leave a note for

me in the library,

in a book called

The Decline of the West

by Oswald Spengler.

Hasn't been checked out

in the history of the Institute.

Okay, get down and

give me some pushups,

impress the white trash.

Too young to fall in love ♪

Goddamn these

fucking logarithms.

I say, fuck English lit.

Fuck it in the nose.

Fuck it in the ear.

Hey, hey, look.

Guys, I was just

kidding with Gooch

about Teresa's

picture, you know that.

But I tell you, it makes me

feel kind of funny to hear

that kind of language going

on when I can see her face

right in front of me.

That's ridiculous, Pig.

I know it is, but

I can't help it.

Turn her picture to the wall.

I couldn't do that.

I mean, she inspires

me to study this shit.

Shit? Now you said it, "shit."

You see what I mean?

It's always "fuck,"

"shit," "piss,"

all the time around here.

I mean, if she could hear

this, it would embarrass her.

Now, Pig, this is a photograph.

I know that.

It can't see, smell,

hear, taste, right? Mark.

Now, Mr. Santoro, if

you'd please address

a few obscene remarks to this

totally inanimate photograph.

Jesus, would you look

at the tits on that bitch.

Pig, how we doing?

Okay. Tradd.

My, but I would dearly love

to play a little hide the sausage

with that spectacular

piece of wop ass.

Pig?

She can't... She can't hear you.

Huh?

She can't hear you!

Attaboy!

Hi, baby.

How would you like

a hot flesh injection

with the old pork sword, huh?

Nine inches of steaming

kong up that tight little...

I'm gonna kill you for that!

Platoon! Attention!

Left, right, left!

Bubba.

Bear.

How's Mr. Pearce making out?

He's okay, I guess.

You guess?

Yeah, no notes in

Decline of the West.

Well, what do you hear?

He's taking a lot of shit.

He's tough. One tough nigger.

That's good, huh?

Makes your job

a whole lot easier.

Yeah, lucky me.

Whoo!

Hey. CADET 3: Hey!

Hey, little monkey.

Carolina, keep us faithful ♪

True to duty, true to thee ♪

God of battles Guard

our homeland ♪

Keep her steadfast

Ever bravest ♪

Bound to freedom

Pride and glory ♪

Fabled still In song and story ♪

By the ties Of ring and line ♪

Carolina ♪

Keep us strong ♪

Gentlemen of the

fourth year, be seated.

Tonight, it is my privilege

to welcome you to the

brotherhood of the ring.

The fellowship of the line.

The ring is a sacred symbol

of the Institute and its ideals.

Those of you who wear it...

will, for the rest

of your lives.

Gentlemen, I had

a rather long speech

prepared to deliver

to you this evening,

but less than one hour

ago, I received a message,

which I believe expresses

the ideals of the ring

far better than any words

which I can command.

With your permission,

I would like to read it to you.

"To General Bentley Durrell,

"commander, Carolina

Military Institute. General:

"It is my sad duty to report to

you the death of your son, Jack.

"He was killed while

practicing parachute descents.

"It may help you to know

that it was a simple accident,

"that no one was at fault,

"and that your boy

suffered no pain.

"He was a fine soldier.

"Considerate,

"intelligent,

and always

attentive to his duty."

Gentlemen.

The ring.

The line.

I wish I was in the

land of cotton ♪

Old times there

Are not forgotten ♪

Look away ♪

Look away, Dixieland ♪

In Dixieland ♪

Where I was born in ♪

Early on one frosty morning ♪

Look away ♪

Look away, Dixieland ♪

And I wish I was in Dixie ♪

Hooray, hooray ♪

In Dixieland... ♪

What's the matter, boy,

you forget the words?

No.

No. I know the words.

These are the finest

young men in the world, Will.

And you're one of them.

That ring on your

finger says so,

and I say so.

That I wish I was in Dixie ♪

Hooray, hooray ♪

In Dixieland I'll

take my stand ♪

To live and die in Dixie ♪

Away, away ♪

Away down south in Dixie ♪

Away, away ♪

Away down soooooouth ♪

in Dixie ♪

You gonna leave

my school, mister?

No, sir!

Face right!

Ready!

Huh!

Cover.

All present or accounted

for, Mr. McClean.

Thanks, Mr. Macabbee.

All right, turd-brains,

dismissed.

And sacrifice ♪

I told you we never talk. Never.

Why don't you answer

the notes, then?

What?

Why don't you answer the notes?

Move out, Pearce.

Lest we forget ♪

Mine are the fathers... ♪

What the hell are

you talking about?

I left four notes.

I told you I was

scared. I said...

That's bullshit, Pearce.

I check The Decline

of the West every day.

What'd the notes say?

We would lose all

For that we hold ♪

The minion of... ♪

What are you doing?

Oh, goddamn.

Who did this to you?

It was in the dark.

Like with Poteete.

And he said... Who was it?

I don't know.

But he said if I don't

get out in two weeks,

I'll be going on a ride.

I'll be going down the hole.

And even if I get out

alive, I'll wish I was dead.

I swear to God, I'm gonna

find out who did this to you.

I've earned the

right to be here!

Whatever it takes, if I

could just see it coming...

All right, all right, okay.

Now, we gotta find out who's

been intercepting the notes.

Who's your roommate?

I don't talk to him.

I don't talk to anybody.

What about yours?

Shit, no.

No one knows but you and me.

Somebody else knows.

Yeeeeeah-hoo!

Forward, march!

Left. Left. Left.

Left. Left.

Squad, halt!

Attention!

Ready, face!

Draw...

swords!

You!

Whoo!

Excuse me.

Here we go.

Oops.

Oh, be careful.

Why, Teresa, what is that?

It's a miniature ring.

It's supposed to mean

we're engaged to be engaged.

But it really means

we're just plain engaged.

Pig.

To be married.

Uh-huh.

Let me just show you something.

Oh!

My daddy thinks he's gonna

be the next General Patton.

General?

Old Blood and Guts Pignetti.

Santoro.

That's what we call

him around the dorm.

Don't you listen to

them, now. All right.

Congratulations, my

dear, to the both of you.

Thank you.

They're happy.

Sure, they'd better be happy.

Mr. St. Croix.

Good evening, colonel.

Hi, Mrs. Bear.

That's Mrs. Berrineau

to you, Pignetti.

Yes, sir.

Excuse me, dear.

Sorry.

Evening, Santoro.

Pretty lady you got with you.

Charlotte, this is the colonel.

Hello. Enjoy the show.

Let's get some punch. Bubba.

Uh...

Some punch? Yeah.

Here you are.

What the hell's going on, Bubba?

I don't know, colonel.

Are you gonna tell me

what this is all about,

or you just gonna go on

acting like a goddamn asshole?

Yeah, I'll talk to you if

you want, but not here.

Come on, then.

I wanna hear this.

Will you excuse me,

just a minute? Uh-huh.

All right, Bubba, shoot.

Why didn't you tell

me The Ten was real?

I never said The

Ten wasn't real.

You said...

I said, it was a legend.

Look, Bubba, back where I

grew up, back in Greenville,

they used to say that the

Klan nightriders was ghosts

of Confederate

soldiers killed in the war.

Now, that was legend.

The Klan was real.

You're trying to put

me off the track, Bear.

What happened, Bubba?

Tell me what else you

know about The Ten.

They used to say it was made

up of the ten outstanding cadets

of each senior class.

All of them sworn to uphold

the honor of the Institute

against anyone or anything.

And all of them sworn

on their lives to secrecy.

You wouldn't know

who any of The Ten was

unless you was one of The Ten.

But the officials knew about it?

Nobody knew about it for sure.

Except The Ten.

Why didn't you

tell me this before?

Because what the

hell does it matter?

Ten, nine or 29,

it's all just cadets,

just like yourself, just

like all the rest of them.

Unless the

Institute's behind it.

What are you talking about, boy?

Well, you want Pearce out

of here as bad as anybody.

I never said I didn't.

But you had to keep

appearances up,

so you appointed

somebody to look after him.

Somebody like me, a screwup,

wouldn't get in anybody's way.

What happened, Bubba?

Why in the hell did you

take Pearce's notes?

I never took anybody's notes.

I'm scared of you, Bear.

Why? Why are you

scared of me, boy?

I'm scared you lied to me.

Because if you

lied to me, then...

Then everything you told

me about being a cadet,

and everything

I've been through,

and everything Mark and Pig

and Tradd's been

through, has been a joke.

Now, listen, Bubba.

If ten guys can go

around in the dark,

can change the rules any time

they want and get away with it,

if that's the honor

of this Institute,

then that ring is a piece

of crap. It's a piece of shit.

You get out of my sight,

boy. You're making me sick.

Mr. McClean,

you got a lot of

growing up to do.

The whole thing seems

a little silly to me, Will.

The Ten, the Cracker

Jacks, the Milwaukee Braves,

who the hell cares?

I-it's still just a bunch of

assholes beating up a nigger.

So, what else is new?

It's not just

beating up a nigger.

It's running a cadet out of here

because somebody

doesn't like his face.

Pearce took everything

this place had to dish out.

And that's the system, buddy.

Right.

And Pearce beat it. He made it.

And that pissed somebody off,

and now they wanna

change the rules.

They wanna change the system.

Hey, listen, you guys.

I spent everything I had

on Teresa's gardenia.

Now, how about

a little contribution

to even up the, uh, kitty?

All even.

Just a loan, guys, okay?

Will, look, this Ten stuff

is probably just some crap

they made up to spook Pearce.

Well, I'm gonna find out.

And I want you guys to help me.

Whatever you say,

paisan. Let's go.

You don't even know

what I'm talking about.

I don't gotta know.

See, I love to rack ass.

White ass, black ass,

yellow ass, I don't care.

Mark?

Forget it, Will.

We only got a little while till

graduation. I say we sit tight.

Well, I'm not gonna sit tight.

You know what

you're doing, Will?

You're putting our

friendship on the line

for somebody you

don't even know.

Yeah, that's what I'm doing.

I'm putting our

friendship on the line.

Now, how about it?

Okay, Will, I'm

in. What the hell.

I'd rather get my

teeth kicked in

than memorize a

periodic table any day.

Tradd?

Don't know much about history ♪

Don't know much of biology ♪

Don't know much

about A science book ♪

How's it going, Will?

How you doing, guys?

Bobby. Good to see you.

How are you?

Come on, Bobby, sit down, huh?

Yeah, sit down, Bentley.

Tell me, you still

pissing in your pants,

or did that clear up?

No, Mark, since

I left the Institute,

just cleared right up.

Hey, to Frank Sinatra, okay?

To tradition. To the Institute.

Don't be an asshole.

I'll be glad to drink

to the Institute,

if that's what you want, Mark.

Whatever it means to you.

So, what do you

want to know, Will?

I wanna know

about our Hell Night.

- When you disappeared.

- I didn't disappear.

The hell you didn't.

I was taken.

- Pssh. Taken, my ass.

- Taken by who?

Well, you don't see much

when you're blindfolded

and thrown in

the trunk of a car.

They said, "You're

going on the ride.

"You're going down the hole.

And even if you

come out alive..."

"You'll wish you were dead."

That's right.

It started out like a regular

sweat party, then it got worse.

How worse? I...

What'd they do to you?

I'll never say what

they did to me.

Well, Bobby, I mean, why didn't

you say anything to the Bear

or some TAC officer?

Why don't you go to hell!

When I was riding back

in the trunk of that car,

I thought nobody wanted to

wear that ring as much as me,

but now...

I decided then I didn't

want any part of that school.

And I still don't.

You got dealt some bad

cards, huh, paisan? That's all.

Listen, Bentley, did you hear

any names or any nicknames?

Not until about a year ago.

I was in this bar when I

heard a voice from that house.

How do you know?

Because I nearly pissed

my pants when I heard it.

Well, who was it?

Who was the bastard? Come on!

I didn't know him then,

but I had my

girlfriend ask around.

His name is Dan McIntyre.

He's in first-year law here.

He was our battalion

commander our Knob year.

First-class prick.

Drink up, Bobby.

Look, you swear he

said that about Teresa?

I swear. If I was

you, I'd... Here he is.

He's dead.

Don't worry about it.

Shut up. Shut up.

I'm jealous.

Nail him!

Hey!

Let go of me!

Okay. TRADD: It's coming.

Who are you?! I'm a

professional lawyer!

Yeah, well, counselor, you just

answer a couple of questions,

we'll let you go.

Otherwise, you can try

being a professional lawyer

without any legs.

What the hell is this?!

All right! All right! What

do you wanna know?!

Are you a member of an

organization known as The Ten?

Never heard of it.

He never heard of it.

Oh, well.

Sing, you little shit!

You wear the ring! You'd do

this to one of your brothers?

Bye-bye, brother.

All right! All right! I'm in

The Ten! Now, let me go!

Where's the hole? What?

Where is the hole?!

Mclntyre, I'm a nice guy,

don't make me leave you here.

Mclntyre, where is the house?

Come on!

The house is General Durrell's

plantation on Pritchard Island.

Now, cut me loose!

Sorry, McIntyre, you

didn't give us enough time.

There just ain't

enough time, buddy!

Oh, Jesus! Jesus!

You bastards!

Where's Pearce? They took him.

Who took him? They

took him in the dark!

Shit.

I'm going.

I think it's too late, paisan.

It's way too late.

Well, it doesn't

matter, I'm going.

The barracks are closed, Will.

You'll never get past the guard.

Hey, what do you mean?

He wants to go, he goes.

Will. Hey.

Psst.

What the hell's going on here?!

Boy!

Nigger:

Whoo!

One little boy!

Let's waste him right now.

Come on, boy!

Oh, a stinking nigger.

Get your stinking

nigger out of here.

This isn't funny, is it?

You gonna leave my

school, you goddamn nigger?

No, sir!

We're gonna kill

us a nigger tonight!

You're gonna die...

Do it again.

Let's juice him!

Whoo-hoo!

Juice him.

Get him again.

Settle down, little pussy!

Let's set this coon on fire.

- All right!

- On fire!

Fire. On fire, boy.

Fire.

He's gonna burn.

Whoo-hoo!

He's gonna burn. Yeah!

He's gonna burn.

Show him how it is.

Sir, I'll leave! Please, sir!

I'll leave, sir! Please,

sir, I'll leave, sir!

Please! I'll leave, sir!

I'll leave, sir!

I've got you, you bastards!

Goddamn it! I seen your cars.

I know your names.

Come on!

Kill him!

Go get him! Come on!

Better run, you faggot!

Let's get him! There! I

want that son of a bitch!

Don't let him get away!

Pig, cut 'em off!

Get him, Caine.

We got him!

Get him!

Get him. Cut him off!

I got him.

Let's go! Surprise!

Alexander!

Saving your ass again,

McClean. Let's go! Let's go!

Come on, let's

hurry up! Right now!

Whooooooo!

Come on!

Whooo!

Ah.

You deserve this pain. I

should pickle your head.

Hey, paisan, you

missed the big one.

Yeah, somebody had to let

you fools back into the barracks.

Oh, we got their names too.

Alexander, Gilbreath,

Braselton, Collins.

Yes, and they've

got the general.

Which leaves us up shit creek.

Will, I'm ready to

stomp anybody any time.

It won't help.

I say we're lucky if

we graduate now.

I say we make peace with them.

What?!

I say we kick ass!

Pearce. How you doing?

Fine, sir.

Fine, huh?

Last time I saw you, you

smelled like a gasoline station.

Sir?

Hey, at ease, Pearce.

I'm talking about them

throwing gasoline on you.

No one's throwing gas

on me, Mr. McClean.

What are you talking about?

Hey, boy. How'd

you sleep last night?

I slept fine, sir.

What?!

Good.

I don't think

Mr. McClean slept so well.

He's been talking like he's

been having some nightmares.

Yes, sir.

Pearce?

You bastard.

Take it easy, McClean.

The nigger's safe as long

as he keeps his mouth shut.

So are you.

Now, you got what you wanted.

This is a truce.

Uh-uh. Uh-uh.

What I want... are

your balls on a plate,

and I'm gonna get them.

What are you gonna

do? Go tell the Bear?

No, I'm not gonna tell the Bear.

But I'm gonna tell some people.

Maybe newspapers.

I got ten friends who will swear

I was studying in

barracks last night,

and I'll swear the

same about them.

Only because it's true, McClean.

Oh, go to hell.

On the other hand,

I don't like aggravation.

Now, you start spreading

fairy tales about this Institute,

and you'll be out on

your ass, McClean.

And you can take your roommates

with you. It can be arranged.

You leave my

roommates out of this.

It's too late for that, McClean.

I'm gonna stop this.

I don't know how,

but I'm gonna stop it. Dead.

Okay, if that's the

way you wanna play it.

Oh, by the way, did

you hear what happened

to poor, old Bobby Bentley?

What about Bobby Bentley?

He fell down a stairwell

at Columbia this morning.

Broke his arm.

Real klutz, huh?

Just goes to show you, McClean,

you gotta be careful...

and smart.

Room, attention!

It's a setup, Will. They

were watching me.

Shut up, Mr. Pignetti!

Mr. McClean,

I'm remanding this cadet to

your custody until 2400 hours,

when you will see

that he reports promptly

to a special convention

of the Honor Court.

This cadet has been

accused of stealing

and informed of his

rights and obligations

under the Institute's

Honor Code.

Do you understand

my report, Mr. McClean?

Yeah. Yeah, I do.

Pig, what happened?

It's ridiculous.

They saw me taking

some gas out of Will's car.

Oh, Jesus.

I knew you wouldn't mind.

They said I was stealing.

How could I steal from you?

You couldn't.

You and Tradd gotta defend me.

You guys gotta

explain how it is.

Your Honor, I would like to call

Senior Private

McClean to the floor.

Mr. McClean,

will you tell us how you felt

when you heard that Mr. Pignetti

had been accused of

stealing gas from your car?

I was relieved.

Why would you be relieved?

Your Honor, this is ridiculous.

Overruled.

Why would you be relieved?

Well, if it had

been any other car,

then Mr. Pignetti might well

have been guilty of stealing,

but in our room, we share.

We borrow from each other.

There's no way he

could've been stealing.

Then, as far as

you're concerned,

Mr. Pignetti had a kind

of implicit permission

to take gas from your car.

To take anything.

It was understood.

Then you, as the

so-called victim in this case,

state that nothing

was stolen from you.

Nothing.

Thank you, Mr. McClean.

You may sit down.

I just have one or two

questions for Mr. McClean.

Now, Mr. McClean, I'm

sure that we're all... touched

by the communal arrangements

between yourself

and your roommates,

but they're not really

pertinent to this case.

What we want to know is,

did you or did you not

give Mr. Pignetti

specific permission

to take gas from your

car on this specific night?

Well, not specific

permission, but we had a...

Thank you, Mr. McClean.

Yeah, but we had an ongoing...

Thank you, Mr. McClean.

You may sit down.

Yeah, but...

You may sit down, Mr. McClean.

Your Honor, I would like to call

Cadet Dante

Pignetti to the stand.

Why, Mr. Rowland, you're aware,

and I'm sure the

defense counsel is aware,

that no cadet is

compelled to bear witness

in a case against himself.

I-I-I don't mind talking.

Mr. Pignetti, you understand?

I understand.

Proceed.

Mr. Pignetti,

you must be very impressed

by the loyalty of your friends.

I am.

I think we all are.

I think all of us are

willing to forgive a friend

who's transgressed against us.

It's human nature.

But the Institute's

Code of Honor

embodies an ideal that

transcends human nature.

Not all of us can live up to

it, but all of us have to try.

Your Honor, I object.

The prosecution

is making a speech.

I'm merely trying to

point out, Your Honor,

that what Mr. McClean feels

now about Mr. Pignetti's action

is not pertinent here.

The Honor Manual

defines stealing

as taking property

without due authority.

Now, goodwill between roommates

does not constitute

due authority.

Your Honor...

What is your

question, Mr. Rowland?

I will simply ask Mr. Pignetti

the question that I

asked Mr. McClean.

Mr. Pignetti, did you or did you

not receive specific permission

to take gas from

Mr. McClean's car?

Well, I-I...

It's a very simple

question, Mr. Pignetti.

Yes or no will suffice.

No.

No!

Gentlemen, we'll adjourn.

Gentlemen.

At 0200 hours, this court

delivered to General Durrell

a verdict of guilty in the

case of Cadet Dante Pignetti.

Accompanying the verdict

was a strong

recommendation for leniency.

The recommendation

for leniency...

was denied.

This court will reconvene

on the parade ground

in two hours for final action.

Mr. St. Croix, as

defense counsel,

you will confiscate

Institute property.

What does he mean,

"Institute property"?

You gotta give

him your ring, Pig.

No!

Pig, give him the ring.

No! It's mine, okay?!

Give him the goddamn ring.

The Honor Court has met

and found Pignetti, D.A.,

guilty of stealing.

His name will never

be mentioned again

by a member of the Institute.

Let him go from us forever.

Let him begin The Walk of Shame.

Turn.

Get laid, asshole.

Come on, turn around,

that's the way it's played.

Platoon, atten-hut!

Dust on the press,

four demerits.

Lint on the cover, four demos.

You gotta be...

Shut up, Mr. McClean.

Shoes not polished

to Institute standards,

three demos.

Fingerprints on the

brass, three demos.

This place is a goddamn pigsty.

One of you boys been

pissing in this sink?

Five demos.

All right, move, tough guys!

Move it! Move it! Move it!

Go on!

Get up. Get up. Move it!

So at least we know

how they're gonna do it.

Yeah, they're gonna run

us out on excess demerits.

It's foolproof.

All they gotta do is

keep hitting us with those.

Everything from stains

on our underwear to...

dirty light bulbs.

How many you got now?

Thirty-two.

Will and I got 35 each.

I figure we'll be out

in about three days.

Hey, was it worth it, Will?

Four years down

the drain for a nigger?

It wasn't for the nigger.

It was never for the nigger.

No, it was for you.

So you could be a hero.

Shut up, Tradd!

We went along with

him. We didn't have to.

I'm sorry, Will.

So, what are we gonna

do? Just sit here and take it?

Nope. No, there's

something I can do.

What, Will?

Just me. It doesn't

involve you guys.

Alexander.

I got a deal for you.

No deals.

You had your chances.

I think you're

gonna like this one.

I'll resign today...

if you lay off Mark and Tradd.

Now, that might be acceptable.

Good.

But you deliver your

resignation to me...

in writing.

All right.

McClean.

You forgot to say thank you.

Thank you.

Down easy.

All right, right in the water.

I don't know, paisan.

It's not right.

Of course it's right.

I got you into this,

I gotta get you out.

What do you make of that?

It's Commerce.

And McIntyre.

How you doing partner?

Yes, sir.

We come down to

check on the water,

make sure it's still here.

What Tradd wants to do...

Man, don't talk about it here.

Jesus Christ, I hope

your car's out there.

Don't worry.

Well, I hope it starts.

This is our last shot, Will.

You got the key?

Yeah, I got the key.

When Commerce was in

France, he bought himself a whore.

Don't read the personal stuff.

Oh, right, we don't wanna pry.

Jesus Christ.

What?

Mark, what?

It's from his junior year.

"Later on that evening,

after Corps Day,

"I was inducted into

a secret organization

known as The Ten."

Commerce.

And there's a list of The

Ten that goes way back.

Here's Durrell.

God almighty.

And the Bear's not in here.

Well, he's probably

got a list of The Ten

for every year

since he's graduated.

Let's get them, bud.

Take a look at our year.

Shit, somebody's here.

That son of a bitch.

Come on, let's get outta here.

Why, that son of a bitch.

Come on, Wilkes.

Come on, come on.

Forget it. Let's go.

Will?

How long did you know?

Since last night.

I read Commerce's journals.

You bastard. That key...

You remember our

roommate's name?

Do you?

I do.

But I'm not allowed to say it.

Help me say it, Tradd.

Help me say our

roommate's name, Tradd!

Will, stop!

You don't understand

about The Ten.

It isn't about what

they did to Pearce.

It's the ten finest cadets

of the senior class.

Oh, please.

Look, it's people

like my father.

It's the only thing I ever

earned in my whole life.

And it meant something to him.

You earned our friendship.

All right, then give

it to me now, Will.

I didn't like what

The Ten was doing.

I was trying to make them stop.

I was working from the inside.

Will, I'm sorry about Poteete.

I'm sorry about...

our roommate.

Were you sorry when

you informed on him?

Were you sorry

when you sat around

collecting demerits

with me and Mark

when you knew you

weren't gonna get kicked out?

Will. You called the plantation

when I was out

there with Pearce.

You took Pearce's notes.

And you blew it

for Bobby Bentley.

Will, will you just listen?

When The Ten ruled

that you guys had to go,

I argued for you. I pleaded.

I told them that I

could use our friendship

to keep you quiet.

Tell Commerce I only

read what I had to.

Will, wait.

Get out of here, mister.

Go back outside and knock.

No, sir. I've come here

to give you my terms.

If you think I'm

going to be impressed

by the insolence of a

goddamned impertinent schoolboy,

you are very much mistaken.

Your papers of expulsion

are right on this desk.

Don't you sign that.

Give me your ring, mister.

Are you out of your mind?

The power of The Ten is secrecy.

I'd call it cowardice,

but that's not important.

What is important is

that I know the secret.

Good morning, general.

Mr. McClean here tells me

that you're running

him out of the school.

I am not running

him out of school.

I'm expelling him

for excess demerits.

I wonder, sir, if I could take

this opportunity to accuse you

of being a goddamn liar.

Mr. McClean has given

me a list of The Ten

over the past 30 years

and of the boys they've

run out of the school.

I've contacted 12 of those boys.

They've all

volunteered to swear,

in court, if necessary,

that they were taken

to your plantation house

their last night as cadets.

Do you understand

what you're doing?

Now, you may recall

on numerous occasions

you told me that the

activities of The Ten

were as mysterious to

yourself as they were to me.

That wasn't exactly

true, now, was it, general?

What do you want, colonel?

It's your hand now, Bubba.

You play it.

I got three demands, general.

I'm waiting, Mr. McClean.

First, we graduate.

All of us.

That means that our

roommate, Cadet Dante Pignetti,

be enrolled in the fall so

he can complete his term.

Yes.

Second, that The

Ten be dissolved.

Dissolved and acknowledged

before a general

assembly of cadets.

And?

And your resignation.

My resignation?!

You want my resignation?!

Hell, yes!

You know what those boys

went through down the hole.

I hold you personally

responsible for it!

Now, if you'll have a

look out the window,

you'll see Mark Santoro

holding 50 letters

addressed to reporters

throughout the state.

In them is a brief

description of The Ten,

a list of their names,

including your own, general.

And their activities.

Words like "kidnapping"

and "torture" are used.

If I walk out of here

without my ring,

Mark's gonna mail

every damn one of them.

I order you to stop this!

No, sir, it's too late for that.

Because you'd

do it, wouldn't you?

You bet your ass, general.

I think it'd be best for

the school and for you

if you were to retire quietly

after the end of

the school year.

Mr. McClean, your terms...

are acceptable.

Sir.

Mr. McClean.

I know how you

must feel about me.

You saved my life, and

I turned my back on you.

You did what you

had to do, I guess.

Yes, sir.

See, I'm the first,

and if I don't make it,

the next nigger has my record

around his neck like a rock.

You'll make it.

I'm counting on you to make it.

Yes, sir, I will.

Now, move your

ass, Pearce. Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

So long, Bubba.

So long, Bear.

I'll be seeing you.

You forgot something.

Oh...

Go on, take it.

You earned it.

The Lords of Discipline (1983) - full transcript