The Great Santini Movie Review 1980

Lt. Col. Bull Meechum, the "Great Santini," a Marine pilot stationed stateside, fights a war involving his frustrated career goals, repressed emotions, and family. His family becomes his company of marines, as he abuses them in the name of discipline, because he doesn't allow himself any other way to show his affection. With a standout performance by Duvall, the film successfully blends warm humor and tenderness with the harsh cruelties inherent with dysfunctional families and racism. Based on Pat Conroy's autobiographical novel, the movie was virtually undistributed when first released, but re-released due to critical acclaim.

Distribution

Warner Home Video, Inc., 5775 Linder Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91362, URL: http://whv.warnerbros.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 118 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Coming of Age, American South, Books to Film: Pat Conroy, Bad Dads

Screenplay

Lewis John Carlino

Cast

Robert Duvall, Blythe Danner, Michael O'Keefe, Julie Ann Haddock, Lisa Jane Persky, David Keith

Cinematography

Ralph Woolsey

Director

Lewis John Carlino

Music

Elmer Bernstein

Producer

Orion Pictures

Awards

Montreal World Film Fest. 1980: Actor (Duvall).