The Great Santini
Drama, War
Warner Bros.  (1979) 116 mins PG

7.1 (2,325 votes)
Based on the novel of the same name by Pat Conroy, The Great Santini tells the story of a military family led by the title character. Colonel Bull Meechum (Robert Duvall) is an authoritarian figure returning from duty in Spain to lead a post stateside, in South Carolina. The conflict in the story arises from the battle at home as the military man can't let go of his need to exert control just as his teenage son Ben (Michael O' Keefe) is at an age where he is trying to prove his manhood. Caught in the middle is his god-fearing wife Lillian (Blythe Danner), who is devoted to her husband but protective of her son. In one of the climactic scenes, meek son Ben must go against his father in order to save a black friend....

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Cast and Crew
Robert Duvall  ......  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
Director  .....  Lewis John Carlino
Producer  .....  Lewis John Carlino; Charles A. Pratt
Writer  .....  Lewis John Carlino; Pat Conroy
Notes
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)

Trivia:
Despite playing their mother, Blythe Danner is only 12 years older than Michael O'Keefe and Lisa Jane Persky. (more)

Filming Locations:
Samuel Goldwyn Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA (more)

Quotes:
Ben Meechum: [Angry with his father] I hope he dies out there with the rest of the snakes! (more)

Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations (more)