The Great Santini (1979)

The agonies and ecstasies of family life, father v.s. son, etc.

Two films were released in 1979, "Apocalypse Now" and "The Great Santini," wherein Robert Duvall played essentially the same character -- a gung-ho, half-crazed Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps.

In "The Great Santini" Duvall plays fighter pilot commander Bull Meechum, who drives his family to his new base in Beaufort, SC (where the film was actually filmed). It's peace-time in the early 60s before the Vietnam War. Bull is ultra-charismatic but flawed. At any given time you either love him or hate him; you'll see this same struggle with his family members. He generally treats them like Marine subordinates which, for the most part, works and they seem to have a lot of good times together, but there's a darkside as Bull is overly competitive, especially with his just-turning-18 son Ben (Michael O'Keefe). Perhaps this is because he's a warrior without a war and he has to fight/win someone. He's also an alcoholic, albeit a functional one. The story details the family's good times and bad times.

If you're in the mood for a good drama you can't go wrong with "The Great Santini." Although there are a few comedic moments, which are life-like in nature, this is essentially a serious study on the joys & agonies of family dynamics. The story offers numerous insights to ponder, which makes it a great film for repeat viewings.

Many times during the film I was reminded of my growing-up years. In Bull Meechum I see a bit of my father.

The one-on-one basketball game between Bull and his son is an exceptional scene. The rest of the family is watching and cheering. They're all having a fun time until it takes an unexpected dark turn. Bull can't handle losing to his son and responds like a total jerk. Yet it smacks of real life. Years ago I was playing chess with my wife on a Lake Erie beach and she beat me, which wasn't usual, and for some reason I got upset about it, perhaps because I wasn't in the best of moods to start with. Looking back, of course, I see how pathetic it was.

Unlike Bull and Ben in the film I didn't have an actual relationship with my father. Generally, the only time he'd talk to me was when he was calling me names, cussing me out or telling me I was never going to amount to anything. One day, when I was 15 and my father was in his mid-50s, I was in my room upstairs and my dad started yelling at me from the bottom of the stairs. I couldn't really hear what he was saying and, mumbling, just kinda blew it off. He then ran up the stairs yelling and charged into my room in a rage. If he ever ran at me in such a manner in the past I would just flee the scene, but in this case I was cornered and had nowhere to run. Hence, we went at, the first and only time (physically), father against son. As great as his rage was, mine was greater. Don't get me wrong, I believe in honoring parents and all, but at that point I couldn't take anymore. I was done with the names, the cuss-outs and the deadly curses (e.g. "You're gonna turn to $#!&"). I was able to put him in a headlock fairly quickly and squeezed tight until his entire head turned beet red. I then let him go and he walked out of the room muttering, defeated. And no wonder, he was in physical decline while I was just entering my prime. Strangely, in weeks and months to come he would brag on me about the incident.

Why do I bring this personal story up? Because the film is so true-to-life that it will likely stir up growing-up memories for any adult viewer, pleasant and unpleasant, happy and sad.

The eldest daughter, the redhead, is played by Lisa Jane Persky. She initially comes off as eccentric, geeky and not very attractive, but wait until you see her on prom night later in the picture. If I was 18 I'd take her out without a second thought. Anyway, go to imdb and check out a couple of recent pictures of her and witness what a truly beautiful woman she grew up to be.

I should also point out that the film has a good, authentic Southern vibe like a handful of other films, e.g. "Mississippi Burning," "Ode To Billy Joe," "Cat People" (the remake) and even (believe it or not) "Squirm."

There's so much more I could say about this picture, but I'll leave it for you to discover. Once again, if you're in the mood for a good drama you can't go wrong.

PERSONAL GRADE: A- August 28, 2008

"NOBODY TELLS YOU ANYTHING...DAD!" GREAT FILM NEEDS DVD UPGRADE!

'The Great Santini' is one of those great movies that has fallen between the cracks. It is an engrossing film about a renegade "cracker jack" pilot who is clueless on how to show any gentle emotion to his family or interaction with them or anyone! Is he a selfish controlling jerk? or is there more to the "Great Santini"? The excellent cast and story will keep you glued to the screen in this entertaining, but sad drama that has it's share of lighter moments. I deduct 1 star because of the no frills full screen only release.....why no widesreen was added is beyond me March 10, 2008

The Great Santini

This is a great movie, but like any movie...the book is better. Great acting. January 7, 2008

BEWARE! THIS DVD ISN'T WIDESCREEN!

Dear Film Company Jackasses,

Surely you know we already hate you for your greed - Why do you add insult to injury by taking fine films like "The Great Santini" and cutting them to Full Screen?

Yet another fine film marred, no doubt, by some big company's desire to cut corners. Burn, Hollywood, burn! April 9, 2007

Great Movie!!!

I hadnt seen this movie in years but watched it again last night and remembered just what a great movie it is. Its some of Robert Duvalls best work and thats saying a lot as Im a big Duvall fan. Glad to have this movie in my collection! A+++ December 1, 2006

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