The Last Detail

Main Plot

"The Last Detail," directed by Hal Ashby, follows two Navy petty officers assigned to escort a young sailor to a military prison. The sailor has been sentenced to eight years for a minor theft, and the officers are tasked with ensuring he reaches the prison without incident. As they embark on their journey, the officers decide to show the young sailor a good time before his incarceration, leading to a series of adventures and misadventures. Throughout their travels, the trio experiences various aspects of American life, from bars and brothels to spiritual encounters and personal revelations. The journey becomes a poignant exploration of freedom, authority, and the harsh realities of military life. The officers grapple with their sense of duty versus their growing empathy for the sailor, questioning the justice of his punishment. Themes of camaraderie, the loss of innocence, and the struggle against an impersonal system are central to the narrative. The film highlights the absurdity and rigidity of military bureaucracy while delving into the personal transformations of the characters. Ultimately, "The Last Detail" is a bittersweet reflection on friendship, duty, and the fleeting nature of freedom.

Characters

• Jack Nicholson plays Billy "Badass" Buddusky, a Navy officer tasked with escorting a young sailor to prison, forming a bond during their journey.
• Randy Quaid plays Larry Meadows, a young sailor being escorted to prison by two Navy officers, highlighting themes of friendship and authority.
• Otis Young plays Gunner's Mate First Class Richard "Mule" Mulhall, who assists in escorting a young sailor to prison, forming a bond during their journey.

Ending Explained

In the final scenes, the two Navy petty officers, Buddusky and Mulhall, complete their mission of escorting the young sailor, Meadows, to the naval prison in Portsmouth. Throughout their journey, Buddusky and Mulhall have developed a bond with Meadows, who is being incarcerated for a petty crime. Despite their growing camaraderie, the reality of their duty looms over them. As they reach the prison, the mood shifts from the light-hearted adventures they shared to a somber acceptance of Meadows' fate. Buddusky, who has been the more rebellious and empathetic of the two escorts, attempts to give Meadows a chance to escape, but Meadows, resigned to his fate, does not take it. This moment underscores the inevitability of the situation and the constraints of military duty. The film concludes with Buddusky and Mulhall returning to their base, reflecting on the events. Their journey with Meadows has subtly changed them, highlighting themes of authority, friendship, and the harsh realities of military life. The ending emphasizes the bittersweet nature of their mission, as they return to their routine, leaving Meadows to face his sentence alone, a poignant reminder of the impersonal nature of institutional systems.