The Great Santini (1979)"He was a warrior without a war."
 Col. Art Athens USMCR (Ret.) Athens is Director of the U.S. Naval Academy's Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. Hear his thoughts on the mindset of the Marines during the time this film takes place.
Based on the novel by Pat Conroy, this coming of age tale focuses on the father-son relationship between 18-year-old Ben Meechum (Michael O'Keefe) and his overbearing father, marine pilot Bull "The Great Santini" Meechum (Robert Duvall). As Bull returns from Spain to his home in Beaufort, South Carolina, his drinking and outlandish acts cause tension between him and his family. The movie mixes the confused relationship between aging father and eldest son with unexpected hints of humor. Released in 1979 during the Cold War, the movie reflects the nation's tense and conflicting relationship with the Soviet Union with the tumultuous relationship between Bull and Ben. Terrific acting performances in The Great Santini were rewarded with two Academy Award nominations: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Robert Duvall) and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Michael O'Keefe). It grossed over $4.7 million in 1980. The Movie... The Officer... Next Movie: Heartbreak Ridge (1986) » What do you think of the Great Santini? Share your thoughts in the Facebook module below, or join the crowd on our main Military Channel Facebook account. Share your thoughts |
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