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Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, Randy Quaid, Clifton James, Michael Moriarty ... see more see more... , Carol Kane , Nancy Allen , John Castellano , Jim Henshaw , James Horn , Derek McGrath , Kathleen Miller , Gilda Radner , Gerry Salsberg , Luana Anders , Michael Chapman , Pat Hamilton , Don Charles McGovern

Two Navy "lifers" and one military innocent briefly attempt to thumb their nose at Authority in Hal Ashby's The Last Detail (1973). "Badass" Buddusky (Jack Nicholson) and "Mule" Mulhall (Otis Young) a... read more read more...re assigned to escort young sailor Meadows (Randy Quaid, who beat out John Travolta for the part) from their Virginia base to a New England military prison, where Meadows will serve an eight-year sentence for attempting to swipe the commander's wife's polio donation can. Buddusky thinks that the sentence is a waste of Meadows' formative years, and he convinces a skeptical Mulhall to show the hapless Meadows a good time by partying on their per diem for the rest of the detail's allotted week. As they head north, the comically posturing Buddusky leads Meadows through the masculinizing rituals of getting drunk, getting in a fight, and getting laid; and he teaches Meadows to stand up for himself so well that Meadows tries to escape. Despite his self-proclaimed "badass" rep, however, Buddusky is, as Mulhall tells him, "a lifer like me," and the two ultimately have a job that they were ordered to do. Taking full advantage of the new ratings system, writer Robert Towne adapted the Darryl Ponicsan novel with an ear for how Navy men really talk. Objecting to the wall-to-wall obscenities, Columbia put off releasing the movie, but, after Nicholson won the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival, finally opened it for Oscar consideration in December 1973 before a full release several months later. Even with nominations for Nicholson, Quaid, and Towne, and rave reviews despite the notorious cussing, The Last Detail failed to find an audience. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

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85% liked it

6,490 ratings

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92% liked it

24 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Hal Ashby

Release Date: December 12, 1973

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DVD Release Date: December 14, 1999

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Stats: 446 reviews

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The Last Detail The Last Detail Randy Quaid in The Last Detail The Last Detail The Last Detail Hal Ashby Hal Ashby with Jack Nicholson ( Billy "Bad Ass" Buddusky ) and Otis Young ( 'Mule' Mulhall ) on the set of, 'The Last Detail'. Otis Young The Last Detail
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Flixster Reviews (446)

  • MrMarakai
    May 23, 2012
    MrMarakai
    The 1970's is arguably the best decade for classic American films. It produced such quality as "The Godfather parts I & II", "Dog Day Afternoon", "Serpico", "Mean Streets", "Jaws" and "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", to name a few. It heralded the reputation of the likes of Rob... read moreert DeNiro, Al Pacino and this film's star Jack Nicholson. This is another, that could be included amongst the greats of that decade.
    Two career Navy men, "Bad-Ass" Buddusky (Jack Nicholson) and "Mule" Mulhall (Otis Young) are commissioned to escort young kleptomaniac Meadows (Randy Quaid) to the brig for petty theft. En-route, the two lifers realise that young Meadows is actually quite a naive and innocent young man, who hasn't experienced much of life. Before they deliver him to an eight year sentence in prison, they decide to show him a good time and teach him a little of life's pleasures.
    "...I knew a whore once in Wilmington. She had a glass eye... used to take it out and wink people off for a dollar." Where else can you get a quote like that, delivered in such dead-pan style from the great Jack Nicholson? In fact, for that matter, most of Nicholson's performances deliver at least one choice quote. His career is full of them and few can deliver a line like he can. If you appreciate such moments, then this film delivers plenty of them. It's mainly dialogue driven and character based, providing another classic Nicholson performance. As well as, fine support in Otis Young and a young Randy Quaid. All three of them are an absolute joy to spend time with. The dialogue is razor-sharp from screenwriter Robert Towne (a year before another 70's classic "Chinatown) and director Hal Ashby skilfully combines the comedy and the drama to near perfection. Ashby was a director that consistently delivered superb human drama's throughout his career ("Harold And Maude" and "Coming Home" are a couple of notable ones) but he didn't quite get the plaudits or reputation that his peers received. However, with films of this calibre, his abilities still stand the test of time.
    Humour and pathos can be a marvellous combination when done right and Ashby certainly does that... he gets it spot on.
    It may be their 'Last Detail' but I for one, wish it was their first.
  • fb100002359227440
    June 25, 2011
    fb100002359227440
    Hal Ashby's wonderfoul, almost documentary, direction, together with Robert Towne's screenplay and the great friendship of characters Badass (Nicholson), Mule (Young) and Meadows (Quaid), made The Last Detail, a classic of 70's. A film whose showing that comradery is making with ... read morethe most impossible situation. An critic of a would full with unjust, commands and obligations, thing that the trio dribble. Original, brilliant...Fresh.
  • paulsandberg
    February 6, 2011
    paulsandberg
    The 1973 film The Last Detail, tells the story of two navy MPs taking a clueless young sailor to military prison, complete with escapades, social commentary, and the revelations they have along the way.

    The film stars The Jack, who garnered a best actor nom (but lost to the ot... read moreher Jack (Lemon) for his role in Save The Tiger). The direction (by Hal Ashby, who also directed Shampoo, Harold and Maude and Being There) is simple, straight forward, and aimed at realism; as films tended to be in the 70's.

    Nominated for best screenplay as well, the film throws in a bit of social commentary, especially when Nicholson puts the peddle to the metal in dressing down a "cracker" bartender (remember, we're less then 10 years removed from all the civil rights protests). The film also skewers the military power structure and, in a offbeat moment, lampoons fad religions (in fact, you could say it is this fad religion, based on chanting some mystical mumbo jumbo to get what you want, is what drives the second half of the film. In a wonderfully written touch, simpleton Meadows (who is headed for an 8 year stint in the clink for attempting to rob 40 bucks out of a charity drop box that is the base commander's wife's pet project) chants to get laid. Low and behold a female "follower" of the religion overhears him and invites Meadows and his two MPs over to her place for a party. She takes Meadows upstairs and everyone believes that his wish is about to come true... but the follower instead starts earnestly chanting, wishing that he somehow escapes prison.

    Meadows finally gets his wish, thanks to Jack, who decides that the 18 year old needs a woman before he gets buggered in prison. The trio finds a whorehouse and Meadows is introduced to Carol Kane, who, ahem, assists him in his quest.

    In a way, this is a buddy film, showing the odd bonding of the trio as they travel by train, plane and... bus to get to a destination they all are in no hurry to get to.
    Quaid was nominated for best supporting actor (losing to John Houseman for Paper Chase) for his seamless portrayal of the non-too-bright Meadows, giving the film a certain charm to balance the crusty, yet man with a soul, Nicholson.

    The realistic nature of the filming is both a blessing and a curse. You really believe you are a fly on the wall, just watching the three main characters as they interact (and I should mention Otis Young, who does a fine job as the third musketeer); but the sound editing is horrible, with way too much background noise interfering with the dialog. Again, this is part and parcel of the era in which the film was produced.

    Aside from the 3 amigos, there is some suspect acting in bit parts, especially in the beginning sequences taking place at the navy base which prevent me from rating this higher, (although some of the bit parts later are well done, especially Nancy Allen (as the religious party girl)and Carol Kane).

    I should also mention, just as an aside, that there is a very small speaking role (as one of the fad religion groupies) by the late great comic Gilda Radner (and if you don't know of whom I speak, then you must have missed the golden age of Saturday Night Live).

    As the two MPs walk out of the picture, mission more or less accomplished, you can reflect back on where they've been and what they've learned and wonder, in a larger context, if we can't all do the same.
  • ajv2688
    December 30, 2010
    ajv2688
    This is a fantastic slice of life type story, with a fantastic cast and director. It's a fantastic movie, and I highly recommend it.
  • ythelastman89
    March 30, 2010
    ythelastman89
    Itā??s such an original story that taps into the unseen world of the Navy. Not only are you exposed to the bizarre regulations and enforcements, but you also get a really fun road movie out of it. While itā??s an extremely dramatic and deep story, itā??s also a lot of fun. As usu... read moreal, you are exposed to Jack Nicholson in one of the most odd ways possible. His character is so interesting to watch. At times, heā??s a very headstrong tough guy and at others he shows signs of a very compassionate and loving person. I love the idea that itā??s such a bleak outlook and doesnā??t produce a normal feel good ending with a giant revelation. I think itā??s extremely brave and socially aware, even today.
  • FilmFanatik
    January 25, 2010
    FilmFanatik
    Very nice film. I love the score in this.
  • SirPant
    September 2, 2009
    SirPant
    You could say The Last Detail is a gritty and realistic version of On the Town, it has its similarities apart from the singing, dancing and the fact that its funny. Ashby gets the balance just right in this sad but hilarious drama. The cast is on top form and personally I don't t... read morehink Quaid has ever been better. Brilliant.
  • pier007
    August 5, 2009
    pier007
    Hilarious but also touching story about the bond created among three sailors, in their series of mishaps, and attempts to properly bid farewell the younger and inexperienced one in the group, who is about to serve time in prison and knows the other two only because they were comm... read moreissioned to escort him.
    But, as all great things in life, duty soon becomes joy, and these adventurous trio surely won't forget the fantastic initiation journey they embarked on.
  • kenstachnik
    April 14, 2008
    kenstachnik
    Nicholson is great in this, even though the movie itself isn't. I'd much rather watch Midnight Run.

    However the "I am the motherfucking shore patrol, motherfucker! I am the motherfucking shore patrol! Give this man a beer!" scene is genius
  • tsigur
    December 11, 2007
    tsigur
    This redneck's talkin' bout firearms.

View All The Last Detail Reviews

Critic Reviews

Don Druker
October 31, 2007
Don Druker, Chicago Reader

A tough-talking, sparely directed effort by Hal Ashby, with an immaculate performance by Jack Nicholson. Full Review

Variety Staff
October 31, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Salty, bawdy, hilarious and very touching. Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 9, 2005
Vincent Canby, New York Times

The Last Detail is one superbly funny, uproariously intelligent performance, plus two others that are very, very good, which are so effectively surrounded by profound bleakness that it seems to be a n... Full Review

Emanuel Levy
January 13, 2011
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Hal Ashby's gritty and profane serio comedy is one of his best films, featuring a towering performance from Jack Nicholson. Full Review

Gabe Leibowitz
October 1, 2010
Gabe Leibowitz, eCinemaCenter.com

The interaction, dialogue, and parent/child-esque relationships are very well done, if somewhat repetitive. Full Review

Pablo Villaca
July 17, 2010
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

O trio principal, beneficiado pela abordagem quase documental de Ashby, ajuda a construir um filme que conquista pela dināmica dos personagens e sua camaradagem crescente em um mundo de autoritarismo ...

Beth Accomando
April 18, 2008
Beth Accomando, KPBS.org

A classic Jack performance.

Jon Fortgang
October 31, 2007
Jon Fortgang, Film4

Relentless, profane, cynical and bitterly funny, this still ranks among the best work by Nicholson and Ashby. An exhilarating trip from start to finish. Full Review

October 31, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Ashby's direction is superlative, as is his use of music to help secure the mood. Full Review

Carol Cling
June 16, 2006
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Classic Nicholson + classic Robert Towne script = '70s classic

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    • Buddusky SM I: [about beer] Best goddam drink in the world.
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The Last Detail Trivia

  • The role of a sailor being transported to a military prison almost went to JOhn Travolta, but ended up going to Randy Quaid. Which movie is it?  Answer »
  • Randy Quaid recived a Golden Globe award for his role in The Last Detail ?  Answer »
  • Jack Nickolson says: "I would like to drink a toast to Batman... Superman... and The Human Torch."   Answer »
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