The Great Santini

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The Great Santini

PG

1979

1h 58m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

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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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Oct 23, 2004

4/4

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

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Mar 29, 2026

2.5/4

... has a literally commanding Duvall at the center of it.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 5, 2025

3.5/4

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.

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Leonard Klady

Winnipeg Free Press

Aug 19, 2021

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

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Larry Vitacco

Philadelphia Gay News

May 27, 2020

4/4

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

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Apr 9, 2007

C

Two-dimensional and minor.

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Max M

@Househuntermax Jul 20, 2026

Duvall is pretty intense throughout the movie but nothing really happens. Lisa Jane Persky is the only bright spot. Skip this one.

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Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Feb 24, 2026

One of Robert Duvall's finest performances in a powerful, emotional compelling adaptation. Micheal O'Keefe also gives an outstanding breakout performance in this stirring and compelling family drama.

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John D

@Dmcbud Feb 18, 2026

Great unforgettable performance "sports fans". 💙

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H C.

@Holden_C Feb 16, 2026

My favorite movie with Robert Duvall, and because of Robert Duvall! Rest in peace, Bull Meacham!

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DeWayne B

@RT69504535 Feb 16, 2026

"You're flying with Bull Meechum now, and I kid you not, this is the eye of the storm! Welcome aboard". An outstanding film, it might have been Robert Duvall's greatest acting job.

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Jim N.

@jamesnoone Aug 31, 2025

Touching, heartbreaking coming of age story.

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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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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
Producer: Charles A. Pratt
Screenwriter: 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
Runtime: 1h 58m

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