Colonels, Brigadier-Generals & Baddies

**Commissar Caligula_** · April 14, 2020, 08:16 AM

I have a theory to present.

In films, the coolest baddies are always those who are Colonels.
For example Colonel Hans Lander, Colonel Simon Gruber, Colonel Kurtz and even Colonel Sanders.

The second tier of cool is generals, and in particular Brigadier-Generals.
For example Brigadier-General Jack Ripper from Dr Strangelove or Francis Hummel from The Rock

Anyone else got more examples to fit my theory? Any examples that contradict my theory will be reported for being heretical, anti-Communist and off-topic.

**Akar** · April 14, 2020, 08:22 AM

I think Colonel is just the most evil rank in the military. Lieutenants are too ambiguous, Sergeants are too cool, Corporals and Privates aren't high ranking enough, and Generals are wimps.

**John Doe** · April 14, 2020, 10:25 AM

Path of glory is against that theory.

**Akar** · April 14, 2020, 11:02 AM

Maybe what we actually need to do is re-evaluate our position on Colonel Dax. I mean, the man was a traitor. He disobeyed orders. Does that not make him the worst villain of all?

**HannibalExMachina** · April 14, 2020, 01:13 PM

sure, the good guys are always the ones "just following orders".

406 × 505

**Commissar Caligula_** · April 14, 2020, 09:53 PM

Can we petition the German Army to posthumously promote Otto Skorzeny to Colonel so he fits this theory as well? He was only a Lieutenant-Colonel ='(

**Akar** · April 15, 2020, 02:32 AM

That's as good as Colonel to me.

**mishkin** · April 15, 2020, 02:53 AM

#Justice4Skorzeny

#Waiting4theNaziIdiotReppingMe

**Abdülmecid I** · April 15, 2020, 04:55 AM

Nice theory about a specific, stereotypically evil officer rank, but I can think of at least one prominent exception. Namely, Colonel Tavington promoted secularism in a backward country dominated by Evangelism and sacrificed his life as a loyal soldier of His Majesty, King George III, in a heroic struggle against renegade miscreants led by Benjamin Martin, a self-admitted war-criminal and axe-wielding sociopath. Also, although it is generally unknown to the wider public, Colonel Sanders is a hero, who defended our gastronomic interests as proud consumers against a nefarious plot orchestrated by Ronald McDonald. Credit where credit is due.

**Commissar Caligula_** · April 15, 2020, 08:36 AM

I'd forgotten about Tavington! Jason Isaacs is a great actor, but I always get super excited when I see the name "Oscar Isaac" then realise thats a different actor and I'm like "you

er, change your name". True story.

**conon394** · April 15, 2020, 09:49 AM

I have a theory to present.

In films, the coolest baddies are always those who are Colonels.
For example Colonel Hans Lander, Colonel Simon Gruber, Colonel Kurtz and even Colonel Sanders.

Its a good point in the hierarchy. Not jumped to General yet but otherwise still having wide command and prerogatives. 'Captains' (or really any one under O-3) and below are field officers with not so much latitude. Majors are a holding rank you are either on the cusp of up or out. Generals can be bad guys but they jumped to sorta admin so either the system is evil or they will be checked by the higher ups. By the time you advance to Colonel you also be well educated post graduate and what not so you are a character who can manipulate the system, and have a long history of contacts etc.

**Akar** · April 15, 2020, 10:50 AM

Not to mention everyone loves a captain, and especially a cap'n*

*See Crunch, Cap'n for more info

**conon394** · April 15, 2020, 11:10 AM

Well sure but an USN/USCG captain is an 0-6 just like a Colonel - thay don't let you play with SSN or CV at O-3 or have the keys to nuke Russia. Which would but whatever his name was in Red Tide in the same category willing to follow orders that he sort of got part of same rank technically that hackman was playing.