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The Great Santini (1979)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
26 October 1979 (USA)
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Tagline:
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 synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
Another 2 wins
&
2 nominations
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User Comments:
Memorable character study of a warrior without a war
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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
Also Known As:
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
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Fun Stuff
Trivia:
According to author Pat Conroy, Bull is based entirely on his own father, Donald Conroy, a Marine fighter pilot who referred to himself in the third person as "The Great Santini".
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Goofs:
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.
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Quotes:
Lillian Meechum:
I am not going anywhere at 3:00 in the morning. No, I am not moving this is ridiculous! It doesn't make any sense!
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Howard Stern on Demand: Robert Duvall" (2006)
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Robert Duvall is magnificent as a classic warrior without a war who moves his family from town to town. Blythe Danner is an excellent match as his wife. And Michael O'Keefe deserves all the kudos he received plus more as Duvall's put-upon son. Lisa Jane Persky strikes a nice balance as the sarcastic-yet-still-loving daughter. Stan Shaw, Paul Mantee, Paul Gleason, and David Keith are flawless in edgy supporting performances. There's perhaps one scene that's slightly overdone which causes me to give it a 9/10 rather than a 10. Otherwise, The Great Santini is an utterly riveting family portrait from start to finish.