The Great Santini

The Great Santini

Year: 1979

Runtime: 115 min

Language: English

Director: Lewis John Carlino

Drama

A decorated Marine Corps fighter pilot, Bull Meechum, struggles to reconcile his demanding military persona with the challenges of family life. Robert Duvall portrays the intense and often volatile pilot whose competitive nature and controlling behavior create conflict with his wife and teenage son. The film explores the complexities of a man unable to separate his professional drive from his personal relationships, leading to strained dynamics and emotional turmoil within the family.

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Timeline & Setting – The Great Santini (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Great Santini (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1962

The movie is set in 1962, a time marked by significant social change and the aftermath of World War II. This period saw families grappling with traditional values while navigating the evolving landscapes of personal identity and societal expectations.

Location

South Carolina, Beaufort

Set in the serene town of Beaufort in South Carolina, this picturesque locale is known for its beautiful beaches and rich history. It provides a tranquil backdrop for the family drama, contrasting the intense personal struggles of the Meechum family.

🏖️ Beach 🌳 Nature

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:17

Main Characters – The Great Santini (1979)

Meet the key characters of The Great Santini (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lt. Col. Wilbur 'Bull' Meechum

A decorated Marine aviator, Lt. Col. Meechum is a complex character who embodies discipline and control. His fiery temperament and unrelenting expectations place immense pressure on his family, particularly his son Ben, highlighting the struggles of a man grappling with his role as a father amid personal vulnerabilities.

👨‍✈️ Military 🔥 Temperamental 🤨 Authority

Ben Meechum

Ben is a teenage boy wrestling with the challenges of adolescence and a tumultuous relationship with his father. His passion for basketball serves as an escape and a battleground for familial conflict, illustrating his quest for identity amidst pressure to conform to parental expectations.

🏀 Athlete 🎓 Student 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Friendship

Lillian Meechum

Lillian, the matriarch of the Meechum family, embodies resilience and compassion. She navigates the chaos of her husband's temperament and the emotional struggles of her children, providing a stabilizing presence amid the family's turbulent dynamics.

👩‍👧‍👦 Mother 🌸 Resilient 💓 Supportive

Toomer Smalls

Toomer is a young black man who finds solace and friendship with Ben amid bullying and societal challenges. His bold actions reflect the struggles of marginalized individuals, adding depth to the film's commentary on friendship and bravery in the face of adversity.

🤝 Friendship ⚖️ Justice 🌍 Courage

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:17

Major Themes – The Great Santini (1979)

Explore the central themes of The Great Santini (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏀 Sports & Competition

The theme of sports is central to the narrative, particularly through Ben's journey in basketball. It symbolizes not only personal growth but also the conflict between familial expectations and individual desires. The intensity of competition reflects both the struggles of adolescence and the harsh realities imposed by parental figures.

💔 Family Struggles

The movie deeply explores family dynamics, particularly the strained relationship between Ben and his father, Lt. Col. Meechum. Meechum's stern discipline and emotional distance affect Ben profoundly, illustrating the pain and resilience present in familial bonds during challenging times.

⚖️ Responsibility & Sacrifice

Through Meechum's ultimate sacrifice and Ben's evolving role as the family's leader, the theme of responsibility emerges prominently. Ben's journey is not just about embracing authority but understanding the weight of decisions that come with it, reflecting a powerful transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 23:17

Unlock the Full Story of The Great Santini

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Great Santini in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Great Santini is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Great Santini Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Great Santini, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Great Santini Summary

The Great Santini Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Great Santini with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Great Santini Timeline

More About The Great Santini

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Great Santini: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Great Santini

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