MovieChat Forums > Taps (1981) Discussion > Just wait them out

Just wait them out

posted 8 years ago by wordsatplaytoday
5 replies | jump to latest

They would have run out of things to eat and surrendered.

Damn, I'm good.

[–] ncdwbmk6 8 years ago

They may have been concerned that the cadets were nuts and would start killing each other.

But they could have arranged a meeting with the Board of Trustees as Moreland wanted, under the condition that the cadets surrender their weapons.

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Fowler's knots? Did you say ... fowler's knots?

[–] HelpMeRhonda (1157) 2 years ago

Yeah I never could understand why they didn’t just meet their demands…maybe the trustees didn’t want to show weakness.

[–] MillerJones (470) 2 years ago

It was a case of do as we say and don't question it.

From the start the students was made out to be wrong and look at the tactics used suppressing even the media from hearing the other side.

A lot of this is true of the tactics used by the US hear one side of the story and use methods which are not to deflate the situation but try to claim they forced us into this.

The whole thing could have been resolved straight away even with lies (they even withheld to the end condition general was in)

[–] jacotodd47 (1081) 2 years ago

In reality - that's probably what would have happened. If you are on the other side, you know these boys have no chance of winning anything. Just let them sit there in their building and think whatever they wish. Cut off the supply line (as they did with the water and electricity) and eventually they'll starve. No need for violence. Just tell them "Well, this is how it is guys, your school is being closed - I don't know what else to tell you." And then walk away. Eventually, as the OP says, they all would have come out due to starvation.

[–] Mustang (5267) a year ago

I think part of what they were fearful of was some of the boys being kept in there against their will and the longer it went on the more chance of abuse taking place. In reality the academy would have been a bully hell hole at the best of times let alone during a siege like that.

Cruise's & Hutton's character in particular was in full Rambo mode and would have started special forces operations to break out, get food and come back in using force if necessary.

Been a while since I've seen it but I am surprised there wasn't at least one suicide.

The best thing would have been to commend the boys for their dedication, tell them all demands and concerns would be listened to. Get them all out and then close the school as planned.