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20 Intense A Few Good Men Trivia Questions and Answers

By Stefanie·Updated May 2025·3 min read

Welcome to our ultimate collection of A Few Good Men trivia questions and answers! Do you consider yourself an aficionado of this military courtroom drama?

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  1. 1What inspired Aaron Sorkin to write A Few Good Men?

  2. 2How did Aaron Sorkin initially draft the script for A Few Good Men?

  3. 3Which actor was originally considered for the role of Lt. Sam Weinberg before Kevin Pollak was cast?

  4. 4What was the original line in the script that Jack Nicholson improvised into the famous "You can't handle the truth!"?

  5. 5Which actress was eight months pregnant during her audition for the role of Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway?

  6. 6What was the original gender of the character Lt. Cmdr. Joanne Galloway in the script?

  7. 7Which actor was paid $5 million for ten days of work on the film?

  8. 8How did Wolfgang Bodison, who played Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson, get cast in the film?

  9. 9What was the working relationship between Tom Cruise and David Miscavige during the filming?

  10. 10Which screenwriter did an uncredited rewrite of the film’s script?

  11. 11What was the original medium of A Few Good Men before it became a film?

  12. 12Which actor was considered for the role of Col. Nathan Jessup before Jack Nicholson was cast?

  13. 13How did the film’s production team handle the courtroom scenes?

  14. 14What was unique about Aaron Sorkin’s cameo in the film?

  15. 15Which real-life military unit performed the opening "Silent Drill" in the film?

  16. 16What was the studio executive’s suggestion regarding the characters played by Tom Cruise and Demi Moore?

  17. 17How did the film’s release date affect Jack Nicholson’s other project that year?

  18. 18Which actor in the film actually served in the U.S. Marines before becoming an actor?

  19. 19What mistake does Tom Cruise’s character make in the courtroom that almost loses the case?

  20. 20How many Academy Award nominations did A Few Good Men receive?

Answer Key

  1. 1. A real-life incident involving a Marine hazing at Guantanamo BayAaron Sorkin was inspired by a real case in which a Marine was hazed at Guantanamo Bay, leading to legal proceedings similar to those in the film.
  2. 2. He wrote ideas on cocktail napkins while bartendingWhile working as a bartender, Sorkin jotted down ideas for the script on cocktail napkins, which he later developed into a full screenplay.
  3. 3. Jason AlexanderJason Alexander was originally offered the role but had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts with Seinfeld.
  4. 4. "You already have the truth."Nicholson improvised the now-iconic line "You can't handle the truth!", changing it from the original scripted phrase.
  5. 5. Demi MooreDemi Moore auditioned while eight months pregnant, and despite this, she was still cast in the role.
  6. 6. MaleThe character was originally written as a male officer, but the script was later revised to include a female lead.
  7. 7. Jack NicholsonJack Nicholson earned $5 million for just ten days of work, making him the highest-paid actor in the film.
  8. 8. He was a location scout discovered by director Rob ReinerBodison was working as a location scout when Rob Reiner noticed him and cast him as Harold Dawson.
  9. 9. Cruise modeled his performance after MiscavigeTom Cruise based elements of his performance on David Miscavige, the leader of the Church of Scientology.
  10. 10. William GoldmanWilliam Goldman, a legendary Hollywood screenwriter, did an uncredited rewrite of the script.
  11. 11. A stage playA Few Good Men was originally a Broadway play written by Aaron Sorkin before being adapted into a movie.
  12. 12. James WoodsJames Woods was considered for the role before it ultimately went to Jack Nicholson.
  13. 13. They were filmed on a set built at Culver StudiosThe courtroom scenes were constructed on a set at Culver Studios rather than being filmed in an actual courtroom.
  14. 14. He appeared as a lawyer discussing a case in a barSorkin made a cameo appearance as a lawyer at a bar, casually discussing a legal case.
  15. 15. Texas A&M University’s Corps of Cadets Fish Drill TeamThe Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets Fish Drill Team performed the film’s opening drill sequence, standing in for the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.
  16. 16. To include a sex scene between their charactersA studio executive pushed for a romance subplot, including a sex scene between Cruise and Moore, but the idea was rejected.
  17. 17. It competed directly with his film HoffaA Few Good Men was released around the same time as Hoffa, another Nicholson film, leading to box office competition.
  18. 18. J.T. Walsh (Lt. Col. Matthew Markinson)J.T. Walsh, who played Lt. Col. Markinson, served in the U.S. Marine Corps before starting his acting career.
  19. 19. He incorrectly assumes Col. Jessup would have had two flights out of Guantanamo Bay that nightLt. Kaffee almost loses the case when he mistakenly suggests there were two flights available for Santiago, before realizing his mistake.
  20. 20. FourThe film received four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, but did not win in any category.

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