The Great Santini
The Great Santini ★★★ Ace 1980 (PG)
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. 118m/C VHS, DVD . Robert Duvall, Blythe Danner, Michael O'Keefe, Julie Ann Haddock, Lisa Jane Persky, David Keith; D: Lewis John Carlino; W: Lewis John Carlino; C: Ralph Woolsey; M: Elmer Bernstein. Montreal World Film Fest. ‘80: Actor (Duvall).