Why the A-Team’s ‘crime they didn’t commit’ was still a war crime

Eric Milzarski
Jan 28, 2019 6:40 PM PST
1 minute read
Movies photo

SUMMARY

In the mid ’80s, The A-Team was a hit action-comedy television show about a crack commando unit sent to prison by a military court f…

In the mid '80s, The A-Team was a hit action-comedy television show about a crack commando unit sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escape from a maximum security stockade and find their way into the Los Angeles underground. Throughout the series, they survive as soldiers of fortune wanted by the government.


Over the course of five seasons, the A-Team turns to mercenary work and travels the world, stopping villains-of-the-week and trying to clear their names. Of course, throughout the 98-episode run of the series, plenty of unrealistic events get overlooked (i.e. "B.A." gets shot with a .50 cal in the leg and walks it off later that episode).

That being said, let's take a look at the major events that kicked off the entire awesome series with a more critical eye — there're a few problems at play here.

Fun Fact: The A-Team was only rated PG for television. (Show by Universal Television)

The A-Team consists of Col. "Hannibal" Smith, Lt. "Faceman" Peck, Sgt. 1st Class "B.A." Baracus, and Captain "Howling Mad" Murdock. The fictional Green Berets were told to rob the Bank of Hanoi to defund the NVA under military orders. They were successful in seizing the gold bullions, but the only person who knew they were on official duty was killed before they returned. They were stung and became the fall-guys for the theft. They're sent to prison, escape, and become mercenaries before the pilot episode begins.

The often-mentioned, but detail foggy, event revolved around a covert mission to rob the bank under the command of one man, Col. Morrison. He was killed and everything pertaining to the mission was burnt to the ground. In reality, nearly every mission ever, no matter how covert, is known by more than five people and a mission this sensitive would have been scouted, mapped, and supported by a number of specialists. Somebody other than just Colonel Morrison would be available in court to testify that they were acting under orders.

Yet, the A-Team is still guilty. Every troop has the right and the duty to disobey an unlawful order. Sure, the Bank of Hanoi may have been bankrolling NVA forces, but they were also a civilian bank. Attacking a bank in a poor, war-torn country and stealing the money that may also belong to civilians is against many articles of the Geneva Convention.

They also probably stole a lot to get their vehicles running, but we can over look that for now. (Image from Wikimedia Commons)

Regardless of the context, pillaging is a war crime under both Fourth Geneva Convention; Articles 33-34 and Protocol II; Article 4 of the Geneva Convention. An attack on a civilian complex, despite allegiance to an enemy, goes against Protocol I; Articles 43-44 because the armed robbery was against non-combatants. And obviously, escape from prison is classified as a crime.

Surprisingly enough, many things they do as mercenaries (when they're hired on for missions by a third party for both combat and bounty-hunting missions) and as vigilantes (when they act where law enforcement in its absence) are clear in the eyes of the law. Rocky start aside, The A-Team is an amazing show, who's most popular prior-service character is actually prior service.

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