Episode 194 - The Last Detail (1973)

Stinking Pause

The Stinking Pause Podcast – bringing you classic movie reviews since 2013 - some good...some not so good.

This week join Scott, Paul and Charlie for a tale of two seasoned Navy men, tasked with escorting a young sailor to military prison. Instead of a straightforward trip, they turn it into an unforgettable adventure—boozing, brawling, and sharing hard-won wisdom along the way.

The Last Detail (1973)

The Last Detail (1973) is a rollicking, bittersweet road trip wrapped in military blues. Directed by Hal Ashby and starring Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, and Randy Quaid, the film follows two seasoned Navy lifers, Billy “Badass” Buddusky and Richard “Mule” Mulhall, who are assigned a seemingly dull task—escorting a young, timid sailor, Larry Meadows, to military prison. But instead of a routine trip, they decide to give the kid one last taste of freedom before he’s locked away.

Meadows, sentenced to eight years for a petty crime, is resigned to his fate, but Buddusky and Mulhall aren’t about to let him go quietly. What starts as a simple escort mission turns into an adventure packed with booze, brawls, and life lessons. The trio bar-hops, gets into scrapes with Marines, and even introduces Meadows to the joys of a proper night out. Along the way, Buddusky, the loud-mouthed rebel, and Mulhall, the more reserved realist, push Meadows to stand up for himself, teaching him that life isn’t just about taking orders.

Despite the fun, there’s an underlying sadness—the knowledge that this wild ride is fleeting. As the journey nears its end, the weight of Meadows’ impending imprisonment looms large, and the film shifts from rowdy camaraderie to poignant reflection. It’s a story about friendship, fleeting freedom, and the absurdity of rigid authority, all delivered with sharp dialogue and Nicholson’s electric performance.

With its mix of humour, rebellion, and heart, The Last Detail is a classic slice of 1970s cinema that reminds us to seize the moment—even when the clock is ticking.

"Well, kid, there's more things in this life than you can possibly imagine. I knew a whore once in Wilmington. She had a glass eye... used to take it out and wink people off for a dollar."

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Scott, Paul, and Charlie