IMDb > The Great Santini (1979)
The Great Santini
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The Great Santini (1979) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   2,555 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 20% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Contact:
View company contact information for The Great Santini on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 October 1979 (USA) more
Genre:
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:
Robert Duvall's best performance! 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
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Additional Details

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

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The South Carolina house where much of the movie takes place is the same house in Beaufort used in The Big Chill (1983). It is known as the "Edgar Fripp Home" as well as "Tidalholm." more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Santini and his oldest son are at, what appears to be the officers club, there is a full shot showing Santini standing to make a toast. On the table there is a bottle. In the next full shot, the bottle has moved about four inches to the viewer's left. more
Quotes:
Ben Meechum: [Angry with his father] I hope he dies out there with the rest of the snakes! more
Movie Connections:
References King Kong (1933) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful.
Robert Duvall's best performance!, 28 January 1999
8/10
Author: andy-227 from Sterling Heights, Michigan

I've seen Robert Duvall in other movies. He is a quiet, wise, somewhat reverent man. Being a fan of his, I caught "The Great Santini" on TV. And I gotta tell you, his performance as Bull Meechum just blew the hell out of me! I never knew he could play a role as fierce, violent, and powerful as Bull Meechum! Although it's a film with little attention, it's Robert Duvall best film! It's his best performance. The conflict between the father and the son is strong enough to wildly shake our emotions! Duvall was nominated for Best Actor, and he should've won! It's a must see! I tried purchasing it, but since it's not in high demand, the store didn't have it. It's worth owning, and it's definitely worth watching! Put it on your list of films to see next!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (24 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Great Santini (1979)
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Toomer - Saddest Story Ever? michigan803-1
The real Bull Meechum EJF
Title change jdbna
This is the Truth about Military Life! wildrose-1
who/what is the great santini? vpoholek
Night Flight: What is that noise right before the afterburners ignite??? skull-21
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