The Great Santini

PG

Released Oct 26, 1979

1 hr. 58 min.

Drama

List

95%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Bull Meechum (Robert Duvall) is a great fighter pilot -- so great that he dubs himself "The Great Santini." While his take-no-prisoners attitude and willingness to fight has served him well in the military, he's unable to turn it off at home. Eventually his competitive nature and abusive behavior take their toll on his relationships with his wife (Blythe Danner) and his rebellious 18-year-old son (Michael O'Keefe) after a friendly father-and-son basketball game turns ugly.

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shteebo

"Being a warrior without a war presents some problems"...and this family drama explores them. Wonderful leading performances from Duvall and O'Keefe and the supporting cast shines as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/23

Full Review

Info.ms267

Shockingly over-rated. The Great Santini is, at best, a mediocre Hallmark film. Robert Duvall is a terrific actor subjected to a flat script and made-for-tv directing that drips over-sentimentality and relies on shoving sentimentality down our throats. Lots and lots of overdo e music, tears, obvious and loud acting choices, etc… Go watch "An Officer and a Gentleman" to see a film made at around the same time, with a much much more honest portrayal of fly boys in the military.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/21/23

Full Review

s c

Many interesting characters in this coming-of-age story about life in a military family. Strong performances from the leads and others. This is one I always get sucked into if I come across it channel surfing.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

steve d

Not great, but the central performance is really good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

delysid d

it's a good movie but it's a sort of coming-of-age thing where you see a boy become a man, and i just don't like em

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/01/19

Full Review

uncle p

Not good enough to be good. Not bad enough to be bad.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Lewis John Carlino

Director

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

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The Great Santini is a movie to seek out and to treasure.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Leonard Klady

Winnipeg Free Press

The Great Santini is great. It's a raw, uncompromising film which leaves the audience emotionally drained but richer for the experience.

Aug 19, 2021

Full Review

Larry Vitacco

Philadelphia Gay News

By all means, see The Great Santini, one of the most rewarding film experiences this or any other year.

Rated: 4/4

May 27, 2020

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

This is one of those special films that moves effortlessly between tension, tears and laughs ... Robert Duvall's performance runs neck-and-neck with his Lonesome Dove turn as his career best.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 17, 2013

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Two-dimensional and minor.

Rated: C

Apr 9, 2007

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

An emotionally devastating drama with a first rate performance from Robert Duvall.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 27, 2006

Full Review

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Synopsis

Bull Meechum (Robert Duvall) is a great fighter pilot -- so great that he dubs himself "The Great Santini." While his take-no-prisoners attitude and willingness to fight has served him well in the military, he's unable to turn it off at home. Eventually his competitive nature and abusive behavior take their toll on his relationships with his wife (Blythe Danner) and his rebellious 18-year-old son (Michael O'Keefe) after a friendly father-and-son basketball game turns ugly.

Director: Lewis John Carlino
Distributor: Orion Pictures
Production Co: Bing Crosby Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 26, 1979, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015

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