It's 1962. Lieutenant Colonel Wilbur "Bull" Meechum (Robert Duvall) is a great Marine pilot also known as "The Great Santini". He returns from Spain to reunite with his loyal wife Lillian (Blythe Danner) and their four children. He's a drunk domineering presence and a stern disciplinarian. He refuses to accept defeat by his son Ben (Michael O'Keefe) at basketball. Ben struggles against his bullying and his drunkenness. Mary Anne is the bespectacled daughter. Everybody suffers under his tyranny. Ben befriends the stuttering son of the cook Toomer (Stan Shaw) who is harassed by racist redneck Red Petus (David Keith).
This is great dominating performance from Duvall. I wish it was matched by an equally compelling performance from Michael O'Keefe. Quite frankly, David Keith would make a better son. O'Keefe is simply overpowered and that is not all about his character. It's the difference between an acting legend and a beginner. O'Keefe is a good looking all-American guy but he isn't able to match Duvall's darkness or intensity. Keith would have been able to.
This is great dominating performance from Duvall. I wish it was matched by an equally compelling performance from Michael O'Keefe. Quite frankly, David Keith would make a better son. O'Keefe is simply overpowered and that is not all about his character. It's the difference between an acting legend and a beginner. O'Keefe is a good looking all-American guy but he isn't able to match Duvall's darkness or intensity. Keith would have been able to.