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The Great Santini (1979)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
26 October 1979 (USA) moreTagline:
The bravest thing he would ever do was let his family love him.Plot:
As he approaches manhood, Ben Meechum struggles to win the approval of his demanding alpha male father, an aggressively competitive, but frustrated marine pilot. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations moreUser Comments:
The Great Santini more (24 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Robert Duvall | ... | Lt. Col. 'Bull' Meechum | |
| Blythe Danner | ... | Lillian Meechum | |
| Michael O'Keefe | ... | Ben Meechum | |
| Lisa Jane Persky | ... | Mary Anne Meechum | |
| Julie Anne Haddock | ... | Karen Meechum | |
| Brian Andrews | ... | Matthew Meechum | |
| Stan Shaw | ... | Toomer Smalls | |
| Theresa Merritt | ... | Arrabella Smalls | |
| David Keith | ... | Red Petus | |
| Paul Mantee | ... | Col. Virgil Hedgepath | |
| Michael Strong | ... | Col. Varney | |
| Bennett Liss | ... | Cpl. Atcherly | |
| Joe Dorsey | ... | Coach Spinks | |
| David Frankham | ... | Capt. Weber | |
| Jan Stratton | ... | Mrs. Weber |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
115 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Sound Mix:
MonoCertification:
Singapore:PG | Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M | Chile:TE | Finland:K-16 | USA:PGFilming Locations:
Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA moreFun Stuff
Trivia:
On the morning of the Academy Award nominations in 1981, when the movie got nods for actor and supporting actor, author Pat Conroy received a phone call from him father who told him "You and me got nominated for Academy Awards, your mother didn't get squat". moreGoofs:
Continuity: As Santini's family is waiting at the hanger for him to arrive, Lillian's hair changes. With the wind blowing, sometimes her hair is messed up, sometimes it is combed nicely. moreQuotes:
Bull Meechum: There's those that has got 'em, Ben, and those that don't!Ben Meechum: What?
Bull Meechum: Gonads, Son! Big brass ones!
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This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (24 total)
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Duvall received a much deserved Oscar nomination as a Marine who runs his family like he runs his men... with vigor and power. He's a Patton without a war and Duvall plays it off beautifully. O'Keefe (also Oscar nominated) is fantastic as his son who's only wish is to please his father. There are many startling scenes in the picture, especially the basketball game where Duvall orders O'Keefe to put another player "on the floor" for obvious flagrant fouls. Duvall's Bull Meechum rules with a iron fist and screams at his son, "Put him down, or you don't come home tonight." The film is based on Pat Conroy's novel and also stars the always wonderful Danner, as Duvall's wife and Stan Shaw as a black man befriended by O'Keefe. Lewis John Carlino directs.