Customer Reviews

Great Santini [VHS]

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For those of you who are old enough, you probably know the feeling of disappointment whenever you view a film by which you were impressed many years earlier and find that it has not "aged" well. I was wary that that might be the case with The Great Santini because I had not seen it since it was released over twenty years ago. Instead, I found just the opposite for it remains an excellent film with excellent acting.

Has Robert Duvall ever given a less-than-superior performance? I'm sure not, and I was far more able to appreciate his portrayal of Bull Meechum the martinet head of the family for, with age, comes shades of gray not only in your hair but in your viewpoints. I hated Bull Meechum twenty years ago but am now better able to sympathize with this man who only knows how to express emotion through rage or bravado.

Blythe Danner as the strong-willed mother who is the emotional rock of the family is another excellent actor who is a treat to watch. She has such an enchanting quality. She truly exemplifies her name.

Michael O'Keefe as the older son torn between pleasing his father and acknowledging his own thoughts of independence gives a heart wrenching performance. He is probably best known in today's times as Fred on Roseanne, and a viewing of The Great Santini gives interesting insight into his acting talents.

The DVD is a disappointment in that it is in standard format for one of the many advantages of DVD's is that most are wide-screen format. The sound is nothing special, either. The DVD only costs two dollars more than the VHS version so it is worth the extra cost for improved picture quality, chapter search, etc. The Great Santini is a movie worthy of adding to one's private collection.

I saw "The Great Santini" in the theatre in 1979 when it was first released. I always thought that Warner Brothers did a huge disservice to the film by retaining the original Pat Conroy book title (although the later re-release as "the Ace" also fails to inspire.) Despite the somewhat lackluster title, this is an absolutely superb film when viewed on many levels. I was originally interested in the film because of the aviation context, but that really only provides a medium for Robert Duvall to develop the character of Bull Meechum.

The real story here revolves around family and interpersonal dynamics in an early 1960s military family. Duvall gives a stunning performance in the title role as a hard charging Marine fighter pilot who finds expressions of affection next to impossible. Although a PG rated film, the language and violence (there is no nudity) are not excessive and are only used when necessary to further the plot (largely in the anti-racism subplot.) Despite this some of the scenes are very difficult to watch as they hit very close to home for people familiar with difficult family situations. The scene where Michael O'Keefe beats Duvall in basketball is one of the all-time most amazing scenes in cinema.

I think that the entire cast is perfect in every way. Stan Shaw gives an incredibly effective performance as Toomer in a subplot that addresses the futility of racism better than any other film I have ever seen. I find the scene of Red and Toomer with the bees and the dogs is one of the most poignant and brilliantly acted in history. The subtle complexity of the emotions (especially hatred and sorrow) in that one scene make the film worth watching, and should be required viewing in film schools everywhere. Likewise, Blythe Danner is amazing as the longsuffering military wife and mother.

By far the most important component of the film is the family relationships within the Meechum family, and in particular the conflict between Duvall and O'Keefe. Both were nominated for Oscars for these roles, and I firmly believe that both should have won, as both give brilliant performances. Of the two, though, I actually think that O'Keefe does the better job in the exceptionally difficult role of the 18 year old son. The emotional range that O'Keefe demonstrates in this film put him in the league of truly great actors like Duvall. Every time I have seen this film I have come to admire O'Keefe's portrayal more.

This is one of the best films from the 1970s and deserves more recognition than it has ever received. I give the film five stars (no question about that) although the Warner Brothers packaging leaves a lot to be desired. There are no commentary tracks or other extras on the DVD and that's a real shame. Nonetheless, this is a world class drama with occasionally brilliant comic insights that is as finely done as any other film I have ever seen.

I highly recommend "The Great Santini" to everyone.

Once again Warner Brothers Takes a good film and doesn't bother trying to find a good master copy in order to do a decent transfer. What is it with them? It's bad enough that they have cheap cardboard covers let alone not even bothering trying to at least have decent copies.
This is a good film and deserved better treatment. SHAME ON WARNER BROTHERS AND THEIR CHEAP TREATMENT OF GOOD FILMS!

The Great Santini is a rare example of a film that aims to be every kind of film and succeeds. It is a hilarious comedy. The mushroom soup scene with Bull Meechum (Robert Duvall) can induce uncontrollable laughter. The `bare our souls' scene between Meechum and his eldest daughter is a classic. The `Private Toilet' scene is good for a few laughs as well.

It is a deep drama. Marion (Blythe Danner) is caught up with Ben's (Michael O'Keefe) coming of age and Bull's aging to come. Mother, Son, and Father adjust to the changes that time brings to any family, and with great difficulty.

It is a sentimental film. Ben's early wakening on his birthday shows a different side the character Duval portrays. The friendship between Ben and Tumor show sentimentality as well, as does Ben's final confrontation with Bull.

It is a fair action film. The fighter plane scenes take a back seat, but the confrontation between Tumor and Red turns deadly. The action scenes make up a small part of this film, but they are an integral part.

It is a penetrating tragedy as well. Ben learns to confront fear and death and comes to understand his father, but quite late. His growth is difficult and untimely.

These elements come together to make a fair storyline into a grand film. The diverse elements of this film work together in a way that takes its' audience on a fascinating trip through the lives of a military family. The varying tone makes it all seem more real- the mood of the film changes from scene to scene, just as our moods change from day to day.

Most importantly, Robert Duvall gives a fine performance. His character is by far the most important. The peculiarity of this man who goofs around with fellow Marines like he is at home and runs his private home like a barracks sets up all the comedy and much of the drama and sentimentality. The tragedy and action revolve around this as well.

The combination of these elements into a single film was masterful. The acting and cinematography of this film matched the brilliance of its' production and choreography. There is hardly a finer film that you could watch.

This is an astonishing film. As the son of a career military man, I recognised some of the aspects of growing up in such an environment. The constant moving, the impermanence of things, and the general competitiveness that comes with the atmosphere are very accurately portrayed. Fortunately for me, my father was not the domineering Great Santini type!

Robert Duvall plays a Marine Corps fighter pilot, one of the best of an elite corps, with an ego to match. His name is 'Bull' Meechum, but he styles himself the 'Great Santini'. Blythe Danner puts in an exquisite understated performance as the long-suffering yet loving wife, the strong and caring mother. Michael O'Keefe had what was perhaps the best role of his career as the coming-of-age son, competing with his father yet yearning for love and approval. Stan Shaw likewise turns in an excellent performance as Toomer, the black local who gets into trouble. While many of the other supporting cast did not go on to great fame, it is certainly not due to lack of acting ability as shown in this film.

Despite being nearly a quarter of a century old now, the film stands up to the passage of time. The characters remain believable; the situations and cinematography bear up well. The film has a timeless quality that qualifies it as a classic, and portrays both the military and southern experience realistically without distortion pro or con.

The main drama is between Meechum and his son Ben, but the secondary plot lines are strong without distracting from the primary interaction. The films ends in a strong, sombre mood, as the respect that has grudgingly built between father and son is finally realised, and the family dynamic continues its slow evolution as the family moves to yet another home at the end.

The scene in which Ben, the son, finally beats Bull Meechum at basketball, at anything (Ben mentions it is the first time ANY of the children have beaten him at anything) is classic. Both Duvall and O'Keefe give strong performances as their respective characters, Duvall the father who is at once proud of his son for succeeding and still angry at his own shortcomings, lashing out at the family, and Ben, who stands his ground to claim his victory, despite the taunting and pettiness of his father.

The DVD version presents no special features to speak of ; it is essentially a video on disc. However, it is a film that is well worth having in one's collection, and were they available to give, it would get ten stars.

The great santini is a terrific movie; an homage to traditions and revealing in dark and and tragic truths both of ourselves, and of the south. One of Duvalls finest performances and a film that dares to create a complex, not intirely likable, character and reveal the hidden lives of not- too perfect families. While a topper the DVD version is standard of the reissues one has gotten to expect these days. I have noticed through many letters asking why movie companies don't make a widescreen version. Working in the industry myself I can inform folks of the cold-hard truth. It's quite simple: in order to make a widescreen version the industry folks MUST go back to the original film and make a new film to tape transfer,repleat with major color-correction, which on older films is quite extensive(read expensive). Likewise any improvement in the audio would also need to be remixed and matched back to the original negative transfer! Many of the older films were tranferred to an analog master, Digital masters only becoming available in the late 80's. Unless the film has a wide and large audience returning to the original source and striking new widescreen digital masters is too expensive. The costs easily triple or quadruple the total cost of making the DVD. One would hope the industry take to preserving their heritage but time will tell on that policy.

Forget the unfortunate title: THE GREAT SANTINI is an unforgetable film. The fierce familial relationships--especially between father and son--are riveting and understandable. Robert Duvall, who has always been one of my favorite actors, turns in a performance so gritty that you hate and love him. The classic scene in which his son beats him in driveway basketball is uplifting, considering you are rooting for the boy. And then it turns into one of the most horrific--psychologically speaking--scenes I can remember.

Blythe Danner, always dependable, sparkles here, in spite of her less than enviable position. Filmed with care, written with the precision of an expert pilot, THE GREAT SANTINI is a unique film that will hold your attention and stay in your memory.

This is a powerful film which features Robert Duvall as a classic tough-guy insensitive, non-PC career marine officer and jet-fighter pilot. The plot turns on the relationship between this incredibly gung-ho marine and his family, which has not completely bought in to the protagonist's 100% dedication to his marine identity. His teen-age son, in particular, is not cut from the same cloth as his father, and has no wish to follow in Dad's footsteps. This results in a conflict that this film handles excellently, and this film is a fine character study.

Duvall is simply brilliant, and the rest of the cast turn in fine performances. The viewer learns much about the Old South in this film also, with all its grace, culture, manners, and sadly, its bigotry.

This film manages to both inspire and depress the viewer, but it is a powerful viewing experience that is well worth watching and owning.

What made both the book and movie versions of this story, and with Conroy's other stories of Marine experiences, is that he presents both sides of the issues he talks about. Most of the time you would think he's got it in bad for them, and that he would rather see the institution torn down. But after awhile, criticisms aside, you see a genuine bonding and love also emerge from one who has experienced being part of the fraternity.

In "The Great Santini" this is played to the hilt. The film, which captures the book PERFECTLY, looks at the life of a Marine fighter pilot and his family from all sides. The most entertaining ones, of course, are the wild antics Marines are famous for. The opening scene, where Robert Duvall does creative things with a can of mushroom soup is priceless, and you see Marines as guys who work hard, but also expect to play hard as their reward. In fact, I have a theory that part of the reason that guys are willing to put their lives on the line for their country LARGELY for the right to party their butts off as part of the reward. Just a theory, but I've seen enough former military people to make a sound judgment on this.

But the love/hate thing is shown best in a fairly simple domestic scene. The tough-as-nails pilot, terrifically played by Duvall and based on Conroy's father, is playing basketball with a now grown son. He has never lost a contest of any kind with his family, but in this one, the son prevails, despite repeated attempts at cheating by Duvall. The father takes his defeat with as poor sportsmanship as possible, ruining the moment for everybody and verbally skewering the entire family. An act as childish and unforgivable as you can imagine. Right?

Well, the scene afterward shows the dimension and depth of the movie. While not exactly saying that what Duvall did was correct, the scene that follows at least tries to put him in a better light. You see Duvall practicing basketball for hours in the pouring rain, while the mother explains to the son the meaning of this act. You come away from it with a better understanding of the man after this scene. After the movie is done, you feel the same way. He may be an unforgivable pig much of the time, but he's our pig, and sometimes you have to accept the bad with the good.

'The Great Santini' is a compelling drama superbly produced, written, filmed, directed and acted (in it I think Duvall gives his finest performance, and he's ably supported by everyone in the cast). Unfortunately, the DVD release in "full-screen" format cheats viewers of the fine cinemaphotography and thus of the impact of the whole effort: thus I rate the disc two stars and recommend against buying or renting it.

About a month ago on late night television - on one of those high-numbered UHF stations - I saw the widescreen version of this film and this version begs to be transferred lovingly to widescreen DVD.