Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > The Great Santini (1979)
The Great Santini
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Great Santini (1979) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 13 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   2,473 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Lewis John Carlino
Writers:
Lewis John Carlino (writer)
Pat Conroy (novel)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Great Santini on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 October 1979 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
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
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
The Best Best Actors
 (From Get The Big Picture. 16 February 2009, 6:55 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Just Like Living With a Ticking Time Bomb. more

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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Ace
The Gift of Fury
more
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Sound Mix:
Mono

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The character of "Coach Spinks" is based on Jerry Swing, who coached Pat Conroy in high school. more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): At the beginning of the movie, Meacham wears the eagle insignia of the full colonel. Later, he is introduced as Lt. Col. It is only after this that he begins to wear the silver oak leaf of the Lt. Col. more
Quotes:
Bull Meechum: [to his subordinates] You're looking at Bull Meechum now, and this is the eye of the storm! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Howard Stern on Demand: Robert Duvall" (2006) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
6 out of 7 people found the following comment useful:-
Just Like Living With a Ticking Time Bomb., 23 June 2004
Author: tfrizzell from United States

Hard-nosed military pilot Robert Duvall (Oscar-nominated in the title role) is a nut of epic proportions as he abuses his wife (Blythe Danner) and four kids (led by Oscar-nominee Michael O'Keefe) with verbal outbursts, bully-style antics and cruel behavior. Duvall's over-the-top role is an intensely interesting and volatile character who is full of fire, but also strangely sympathetic and dare I say even likable. The movie takes place just before the Vietnam years and keeps up an intensity because of the events going on in the world around them. Also O'Keefe gets into all kinds of trouble as a high schooler in the newest town the group has moved to. The relationship between Duvall and O'Keefe is the primary focus and the rest of the project is really just window dressing. Duvall is a revelation once again and he is able to keep everything believable and coherent. 4 stars out of 5.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Great Santini (1979)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
who/what is the great santini? vpoholek
Night Flight: What is that noise right before the afterburners ignite??? skull-21
having read the book, should i watch the movie? huggin_possums
Toomer - Saddest Story Ever? michigan803-1
This is the Truth about Military Life! wildrose-1
Just saw He Got Game Lisafliny
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Secret Life of Bees American Beauty Apocalypse Now The Basketball Diaries To Kill a Mockingbird
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.