As he approaches manhood, Ben Meechum struggles to win the approval of his demanding alpha male father, an aggressively competitive, but frustrated Marine pilot.As he approaches manhood, Ben Meechum struggles to win the approval of his demanding alpha male father, an aggressively competitive, but frustrated Marine pilot.As he approaches manhood, Ben Meechum struggles to win the approval of his demanding alpha male father, an aggressively competitive, but frustrated Marine pilot.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 3 wins & 6 nominations total
- Corp. Atchley
- (as Bennett Liss)
- Director
- Writers
- Pat Conroy
- Lewis John Carlino
- Herman Raucher(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen 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."
- GoofsAt 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.
- 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*!
- dtucker86
- Oct 21, 2003
- How long is The Great Santini?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Gift of Fury
- Filming locations
- Tidalholm Mansion - 1 Laurens Street, Beaufort, South Carolina, USA(large house Bull Meechum rents for his family - aka the Edgar Fripp House)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $4,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,702,575
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $83,527
- Oct 28, 1979
- Gross worldwide
- $4,702,575
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