As he approaches manhood, Ben Meechum struggles to win the approval of his demanding alpha male father, an aggressively competitive, but frustrated Marine pilot.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Robert Duvall | ... |
Bull Meechum
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| Blythe Danner | ... |
Lillian Meechum
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| Michael O'Keefe | ... |
Ben Meechum
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| Lisa Jane Persky | ... |
Mary Anne Meechum
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| Julie Anne Haddock | ... |
Karen Meechum
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| Brian Andrews | ... |
Matthew Meechum
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| Stan Shaw | ... |
Toomer Smalls
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| Theresa Merritt | ... |
Arrabella Smalls
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| David Keith | ... |
Red Pettus
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| Paul Mantee | ... |
Col. Virgil Hedgepath
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| Michael Strong | ... |
Col. Varney
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| Bennett James | ... |
Corp. Atchley
(as Bennett Liss)
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| Joe Dorsey | ... |
Coach Spinks
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| David Frankham | ... |
Capt. Weber
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Jan Stratton | ... |
Mrs. Weber
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| Paul Gleason | ... |
Lt. Sammy
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W.K. Stratton | ... |
Ace
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| Lew Horn | ... |
Capt. Brookout
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Michael Rougas | ... |
Col. Mullinax
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Al Garcia | ... |
Pedro
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Stacy MacGregor | ... |
Leroy
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Harold B. Bibey | ... |
Hedgepath's Sergeant
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| Gene Jones | ... |
Bartender
(as Gordon Gene Jones)
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Harry Pickins Porth | ... |
Squadron Executive Officer
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Albert Smith | ... |
Hobie Simms
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Walter Gay | ... |
Man at Shrimp Dock
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Wendell Gregory | ... |
Shrimp Header
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Bill Nelson | ... |
1st Cousin
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| Bill Eudaly | ... |
2nd Cousin
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Wayne Sharpnack | ... |
Mac
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Morris Phifer | ... |
Sergeant - Air Controller
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Brad Baldwin | ... |
Sergeant - Radar
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Ronnie Cross | ... |
Honor Guard Sergeant
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Timothy Norton | ... |
Jim Don
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Richard Horswell | ... |
Art
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Ronald Garrett Jr. | ... |
Pinkie
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Hank Chappell | ... |
Mumford
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Reggie Malphrus | ... |
Abbot
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Doyle Kelley | ... |
1st Referee
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Larry Burke | ... |
2nd Referee
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K.C. Stiglbauer | ... |
Basketball Player
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Randy Cauthen | ... |
Basketball Player
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Tom Conroy | ... |
Basketball Player
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Lance Snyder | ... |
Basketball Player
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Tony Langdale | ... |
Basketball Player
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Gary Towles | ... |
Basketball Player
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Ray Nix | ... |
Basketball Player
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Chip Upchurch | ... |
Basketball Player
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Nicole von der Heyde | ... |
Cheerleader
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Nancy Black | ... |
Cheerleader
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| Lisa Collins | ... |
Cheerleader
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Kim Duncan | ... |
Cheerleader
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Claudette Evans | ... |
Cheerleader
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Carol Monson | ... |
Cheerleader
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Tara Hudson | ... |
Cheerleader
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Sandra Patterson | ... |
Cheerleader
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Holly Malphrus | ... |
Cheerleader
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Sarah Sanford | ... |
Cheerleader
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Denise Walker | ... |
Cheerleader
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Edwina Dawn Tucker | ... |
Cheerleader
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Brent Dunsford | ... |
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
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Laura Gile | ... |
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
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George Golden | ... |
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
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Raven Grey Eagle | ... |
Minor Role (uncredited)
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| Monty O'Grady | ... |
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
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| Ted Otis | ... |
Bus Passenger (uncredited)
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| Leoda Richards | ... |
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
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| Nico Stevens | ... |
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
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Bill Zook | ... |
PEP Band Member (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Lewis John Carlino | ||
Written by
| Pat Conroy | ... | (novel) |
| Lewis John Carlino | ... | (written for the screen by) |
| Herman Raucher | ... | () (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Charles A. Pratt | ... | producer |
Music by
| Elmer Bernstein | ||
Cinematography by
| Ralph Woolsey | ||
Editing by
| Houseley Stevenson Jr. | ... | (as Houseley Stevenson) |
Editorial Department
| George Folsey Jr. | ... | consulting editor |
| David Strohmaier | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Irving Lande | ||
Production Design by
| Jack Poplin | ||
Set Decoration by
| Jeff Haley | ||
| Donald J. Sullivan | ... | (as Don Sullivan) |
Makeup Department
| Lon Bentley | ... | makeup artist |
| Andy Ciannella | ... | makeup artist: New York (as Andy Cianella) |
| Lynn Del Kail | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Sally J. Fitzhenry | ... | post-production supervisor |
| Floyd Joyer | ... | unit production manager |
| John Pommer | ... | executive in charge of production (as John E. Pommer) |
| Ken Swor | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Edward D. Markley | ... | first assistant director (as Edward Markley) |
| Ken Swor | ... | first assistant director |
| Jonathan Giles Zimmerman | ... | second assistant director (as Jonathan Zimmerman) |
Art Department
| Michael Dunn | ... | property master (as Mike Dunn) |
| Sylvio Fama | ... | propmaker |
| Wally Graham | ... | construction coordinator |
| Mike Humburger | ... | lead man |
| Ed Meena | ... | lead man |
| Edmund Villa | ... | assistant property master (as Ed Villa) |
| Bill Gold | ... | poster designer (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Lee Alexander | ... | production sound mixer |
| David Dockendorf | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Teri E. Dorman | ... | sound editor |
| Jerry Jacobson | ... | loop editor (as Jerry M. Jacobson) |
| James J. Klinger | ... | supervising sound editor |
Special Effects by
| Ken Pepiot | ... | special effects |
Stunts
| Bennie E. Dobbins | ... | stunt coordinator (as Bennie Dobbins) |
| Monty Jordan | ... | stunt double (uncredited) |
| Conrad E. Palmisano | ... | stunt double: Michael O' Keefe (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Don Biller | ... | first assistant camera: New York |
| Arthur Brooker | ... | key grip (as Art Brooker) |
| Catharine Bushnell | ... | still photographer: New York |
| Alan R. Disler | ... | first assistant camera (as Alan Disler) |
| David Greene | ... | second assistant camera: New York |
| George Holmes | ... | gaffer |
| Larry Keys | ... | second electrician (as Larry Keyes) |
| Richard C. Kratina | ... | director of photography: New York (as Dick Kratina) |
| Stan McClain | ... | assistant camera: aerial unit (as Stan McClean) |
| David B. Nowell | ... | aerial camera operator (as David Nowell) |
| Richard Redlin | ... | second grip |
| William H. Steiner | ... | camera operator: New York (as William Steiner) |
Casting Department
| Jo Doster | ... | local casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Michael W. Hoffman | ... | costumer (as Mike Hoffman) |
| Christine Zamiara | ... | costumer (as Chris Zamiara) |
Location Management
| Jan Dennehy | ... | location auditor (as Janice Elan) |
Music Department
| Else Blangsted | ... | music editor |
| John Norman | ... | scoring mixer |
| Murray Adler | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Chuck Berghofer | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
| John Berkman | ... | musician: keyboards (uncredited) |
| Elmer Bernstein | ... | conductor (uncredited) / orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Peter Bernstein | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Alan Broadbent | ... | musician: keyboards (uncredited) |
| Larry Bunker | ... | musician: percussion (uncredited) |
| Pete Chrislieb | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Douglas Davis | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| Vince De Rosa | ... | musician: french horn (uncredited) |
| Glenn Dicterow | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Bonnie Jean Douglas | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| David Duke | ... | musician: french horn (uncredited) |
| Earl Dumler | ... | musician: oboe (uncredited) |
| Steve Edelman | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
| Dominick Fera | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Gary Foster | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Pamela Goldsmith | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Nelson Hatt | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
| Todd Hemmenway | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| Norman Herzburg | ... | musician: bassoon (uncredited) |
| Kevin Hiatt | ... | music copyist (uncredited) |
| Franklin Jones Jr. | ... | score recording engineer and score mix engineer (uncredited) |
| Jim Kanter | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Armand Kaproff | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| Nathan Kaproff | ... | music contractor (uncredited) |
| Milton Kestenbaum | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
| Ezra Kliger | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Jacob Krachmalnick | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| William Kraft | ... | musician: percussion (uncredited) |
| Ronald Langinger | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Bernie Kaai Lewis | ... | music copyist (uncredited) |
| Peter Limonick | ... | musician: percussion (uncredited) |
| Abe Luboff | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
| Arthur Maebe | ... | musician: french horn (uncredited) |
| Virginia Majewski | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Jack Marsh | ... | musician: bassoon (uncredited) |
| Malcolm McNab | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
| Dwight Mikkelsen | ... | music copyist (uncredited) |
| Kenneth Munday | ... | musician: bassoon (uncredited) |
| John Neufeld | ... | musician: clarinet (uncredited) |
| Richard Perissi | ... | musician: french horn (uncredited) |
| Tom Raney | ... | musician: percussion (uncredited) |
| Dorothy Remsen | ... | musician: harp (uncredited) |
| Gale Robinson | ... | musician: french horn (uncredited) |
| Jay Rosen | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Meyer Rubin | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
| Sylvia Ruderman | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Steve Schaeffer | ... | musician: percussion (uncredited) |
| David Schwartz | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Frederick Seykora | ... | musician: cello (uncredited) |
| Thomas Z. Shepard | ... | musician: trombone (uncredited) |
| David Shostac | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Paul Shure | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| David Spear | ... | conductor (uncredited) / orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Chet Swiatkowsky | ... | musician: keyboards (uncredited) |
| Tommy Tedesco | ... | musician: guitar (uncredited) |
| Tony Terran | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
| Milton Thomas | ... | musician: viola (uncredited) |
| Louise Di Tullio | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| Lloyd Ulyate | ... | musician: trombone (uncredited) |
| Miwako Watanabe | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Ken Watson | ... | musician: percussion (uncredited) |
| Chauncey Welsch | ... | musician: trombone (uncredited) |
| Margaret Wooten | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Graham Young | ... | musician: trumpet (uncredited) |
| Shari Zippert | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
| Bill Zook | ... | performer (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Betsy Norton | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| George Alden | ... | transportation captain |
| Eddie Lee Voelker | ... | transportation co-captain (as Ed Voelker) |
Additional Crew
| Jill Chadwick | ... | production assistant (as Jill D. Chadwick) |
| P.C.G. Coulter | ... | technical advisor (as Capt. P.C.G. Coulter) |
| Hunt Downs | ... | unit publicist |
| Sean Kevin Fitzpatrick | ... | development executive: BCP |
| Fred Hesper | ... | bee consultant |
| Cindy James | ... | dog trainer |
| Clay Lacy | ... | aerial sequences |
| Ted Langwell | ... | assistant to production executive |
| Tobi C. Singleton | ... | production coordinator |
| Jean Weyand | ... | assistant to unit publicist |
| Jay Brown | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Orion Pictures (1979) (United States) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1979) (United States) (theatrical) (through)
- Columbia-EMI-Warner (1979) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Columbia-Warner Filmes de Portugal (1980) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1980) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1980) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Film (1980) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner-Columbia Films (1980) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Roadshow Films (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
- CBS (1982) (United States) (tv)
- Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (Netherlands) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1988) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Warner Home Video (1998) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Warner Home Video (1999) (United States) (DVD) (snapcase)
- Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- The Calhoun High School Band (group cast members)
- The People of Beaufort, S.C. (group cast members)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In 1962, the Marine Corps family, the Meechums - parents Lieutenant Colonel Wilbur "Bull" Meechum and Lillian Meechum, and their four children Ben Meechum, Mary Anne Meechum, Karen Meechum and Matthew Meechum - are moving like they do most years, this time to Beaufort, South Carolina. Bull - nicknamed "the Great Santini" - is known as a great pilot, but has gotten into much trouble in the past for his sophomoric behavior. He runs his family much as a military commander, where they are all to obey his orders without question. Everything he does within the family context he reasons is to build character, but in reality everything ends up being about him. The oldest Ben, approaching manhood, is the one of his offspring who has the greatest issue with his father. Ben wants his respect, but isn't sure if he really loves him. As Ben goes through his senior year in high school, his attempts to play varsity basketball and an incident between black Toomer Smalls - his friend and their cook Arrabella Smalls' son - and racist Red Petus may forever change the dynamic between father and son. Written by Huggo |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The bravest thing he would ever do was let his family love him. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $4,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | When the movie was nominated for 1981 Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Actor in a Supporting Role, author Pat Conroy's father called him and said, "You and me got nominated for Academy Awards, your mother didn't get squat." See more » |
| Goofs | At a military funeral all personnel in uniform render a hand salute during the playing of Taps. In the movie the only personnel presenting arms are the firing detail. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Divine Madness/Willie & Phil/The Great Santini/Ordinary People/Middle Age Crazy (1980). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Fascination See more » |
| Quotes |
Mary Anne Meechum:
Hey Dad, why do you love me more than your other children? Bull Meechum: Beat it, I'm reading the sports page. Mary Anne Meechum: Let's have a conversation Dad. Let's bare our souls and get to know one another. Bull Meechum: I don't want you to get to know me. I like being an enigma, like a Chink. Now scram. Mary Anne Meechum: Am I a Meechum Dad? Can girls be real Meechums; girls without jump shots? Or am a simple form of Meechum, like in biology. Mary Anne, the one-celled Meechum. Bull Meechum: Mary Anne scram, I'm starting to lose my temper; Lilian! Mary Anne Meechum: [falls to the ground] Dad, I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant by a negro Daddy. His name is Rufus, I didn't wanna tell you but since we're baring our souls to each other. Rufus is a pacifist; a pacifist homosexual. Bull Meechum: Jesus H. Christ! Lilian, I'm going to the club. I'll see you all at the game! I can't stand it around here! [storms off as Mary Anne follows him] Mary Anne Meechum: But you'll get to like him after awhile Dad. Dwarfs are easy to like, especially when they're bald and cross-eyed... Dad... Dad... *Dad*! See more » |