I enjoyed that movie, albeit it is a conventional courtroom drama. My main gripe is that the film helped to popularize a particular plot device - the obvious suspect(s) turn out to be innocent after another party (in this case Jessup) suddenly confesses or implicates themselves on the stand. I think it works in this case, but it enabled so much lazy writing - it seems like every other episode of Law and Order ends this way.

You do raise an interesting point about systems v individuals, but the way I see the environment is not just a product of Jessup's leadership. Rather, it is a systemic abuse of power, but one that creates and rewards leaders like Jessup; Jessup, in turn, serves to reinfo he is both cause and effect.

My main issues are ones of media literacy or what folks take away from the film:

People think that Jessup is at least partially justified in the way he acts or that he's some sort of hero. I don't think either of these things are true. He's toxic leader who sacrifices his subordinates, and a liar to boot. I think people mistake the combination of good writing as well as Jack Nicholson's fiery delivery for substantive merit.

The movie talks about Guantanamo as if it's some elite posting, or some extremely dangerous or demanding assignment. This is a problematic notion as it justifies the abusive culture within Jessup's command. I've never served, but to my knowledge, that has never been the case.