MovieChat Forums > Dead Presidents (1995) Discussion > Question about the Judge's remarks at th...

Question about the Judge's remarks at the end of the movie?

posted 15 years ago by SimplyOak
8 replies | jump to latest

First and foremost, I don't condone what Anthony did at the end of the movie, although he was desperate he didn't have to rob nobody. But every time I watch this film, I'm always shocked by what the Judge (Martin Sheen) says to Anthony, Not even what he says but how he says it. It seems like he was bashing on him. I remember him saying something like, "I served in World War II, a real war (which is not Anthony fault) and..." I can't remember the whole speech, but Martin Sheen looked like a straight up *beep*

Any thoughts on the end scene, specifically in the courtroom?...

[–] omoxus 15 years ago

Unlike Vietnam. WW2 was a popular war. There was a clear objective a fight of "good" VS "evil". It was politicaly correct. Soldiers were heros. It unified the country. Vietnam was the opposite. It split the nation. Long and drawn out with no clear objective. A proxy war that took the lives of Americans. Soldiers were maligned. They were called baby killers. No winner. Just a bloody mess.

Im the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] SimplyOak 15 years ago

good point, thanks

[–] MacyGrayFan 15 years ago

A lot of WWII vets ragged on Vietnam vets. They didn't consider Vietnam (or Korea, to an extent) to be a "real" war, just like a lot of people didn't consider Desert Storm to be a real war. A lot of people look at this 1960s/1970s themed film w/21st century eyes. We KNOW Vietnam was a real war and we KNOW about PTSD and we KNOW about the dangers of Agent Orange. They didn't back then, and that's what makes this movie so realistic.

[–] jay_guevara-1 15 years ago

The Judge's remarks to Anthony are symbolic on so many levels. It shows that the very establishment which he believed in and fought for turns around at the very end and condemns him and worst still, the condemnation is meted out to Anthony by a fellow former Marine. It also symbolises the unsympathetic climate that Nam' veterans faced on their return to civilian life in the US. In the case of Anthony, remember the hostility and criticism he faced on coming home in '73?

Apart from Delilah (and even she called him a pawn of imperialism lol) and Saul, the butcher, It was only Anthony's military friends who really had warmth and compassion for him. From the ordinary citizens right up to the justice system he faces hostility and the Judge iconifies society's disparaging attitude towards Anthony's generation.

His scathing words reflected public opinion and spoke for a wider segment of society who shared his views. Don't forget that as Judge trivialises the Vietnam war and cites his WW2 service in the Pacific as "a real war", to Anthony's side, one of the court Bailiff's nods in firm agreement.

[–] omoxus 15 years ago

The bailiff nodded? Good catch!

Im the Alpha and the Omoxus. The Omoxus and the Omega

[–] Milkdoesabodygood 12 years ago

I'm glad he threw a chair at that piece of sh!t judge, he should have stabbed him.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Milkdoesabodygood 11 years ago

Point taken, but the judge still was a piece of sh!t and should have kept his mouth shut and just sentence Anthony rather then provoke him,
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