The General's Daughter (1999)

Director:

Simon West

Writers (WGA):

Nelson DeMille (novel)
Christopher Bertolini (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

18 June 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Go behind the lies.

Plot:

When the daughter of a well-known and well-respected base commander is murdered, an undercover detective is summoned to look into the matter and finds a slew of cover-ups at West Point.

Plot Keywords:

Fight The System | Amazing Grace Hymn | Psychological Thriller | Sexual Harassment | Dominatrix

Awards:

3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

John Travolta	...	Warr. Off. Paul Brenner / Sgt. Frank White
Madeleine Stowe	...	Warr. Off. Sara Sunhill
James Cromwell	...	Lt. Gen. Joseph Campbell
Timothy Hutton	...	Col. William Kent
Leslie Stefanson	...	Capt. Elisabeth Campbell
Daniel von Bargen	...	Police Chief Yardley
Clarence Williams III	...	Col. George Fowler
James Woods	...	Col. Robert Moore
Peter Weireter	...	Belling
Mark Boone Junior	...	Dalbert Elkins
John Beasley	...	Col. Donald Slesinger
Boyd Kestner	...	Capt. Jake Elby
Brad Beyer	...	Capt. Bransford
John Benjamin Hickey	...	Capt. Goodson
Rick Dial	...	Cal Seivers

Also Known As:

Wehrlos - Die Tochter des Generals (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for graphic images relating to sexual violence including a strong rape scene, some perverse sexuality, nudity and language

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:AA (Ontario) | Iceland:16 | Canada:18A CORRECT: REPLACE WITH: (Alberta/British Columbia) | Philippines:R-18 | Canada:14A (Manitoba) | USA:R (certificate #36365) | Malaysia:U | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Belgium:KNT | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 (bw) | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:R(A) (original rating) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Savannah, Georgia, USA

Company:

MFP Munich Film Partners GmbH & Company I. Produktions KG

Trivia:

The Fort MacCallum scenes were filmed at Savannah State University and Van Nuys Airport.

Goofs:

Factual errors: At the end of the movie, Brenner tells LTG Campbell that he is going to charge him under Article 32 of the UCMJ. Article 32 is not a punitive article. It is an article concerning a procedural hearing akin to a grand jury in the civilian court system.

Quotes:

Brenner: [Brenner is discussing Elisabeth's medical records that were left in his car anonymously] Now did he instruct you to give me the medical records?
Capt. Goodson: Well, not in so many words... but I think I knew his wishes. You know, anything that might help Elisabeth. I'm sure you know how much he loved her.
Brenner: Not as much as he loved you.
Capt. Goodson: [smiling] What do you mean?
Brenner: I don't know. It's just something about the surprise way you came in that night, the extra care he had in making dinner.
Capt. Goodson: What do you plan on doing about it?
Brenner: Not a thing... other than to tell you I'm sorry about Moore and to ask you for your help. Here... sit down.
[both take a seat on a park bench]
Capt. Goodson: What exactly do you need to know?
Brenner: I want to know about the recreation of the original rape.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The General's Son (2000) (V)

Soundtrack:

All through the Night

An Ugly Painting set to emotive music...

A surprisingly stylised and artistic approach to an old theme. The smoky yellow colour tints, especially during graphic violence are very beautiful, therefore the subject matter is even more disturbing. The colour is sumptuous throughout which holds the viewers attention, even in the more routine sequences. The actors performances are rather mismatched, because some are realistic, Cromwell, & interesting, Woods, and others are plastic, Stowe, or complacent, Travolta. The plot is a traditional tale of integration and violating those the established dont want integrated, resulting in retrobution. Despite the clashes in acting style & limitations of plot, this film works! I cannot explain why, maybe a magnificent cinematographer is all a film needs, but it is riveting viewing.

My Rating: 7/10 When I had just seen this film I said 8/10, but over time I digested it and realised that the performances irritated me too much to maintain my initial opinion. The main problem is Travolta, his trademark being - wonderful charisma, which some films need, but this film did not need that, I prepose that he was wrongly cast in this film. It is this aspect that dulls it's memory. But I do recommend that you see this film if you like instantaneous impact & buzz and dont care who the actors are.

Who Should Watch this Film? This is an 18 Certificate, UK, you do need to be over 18yrs to understand it. There are a few behaviours regarding 'Ms Campbell' that only maturity will reveal any understanding about. Basically, men & women get the same package here, there are no subplots or romances or shoot-em-ups, it's a serious narrative. It's a film about army rape. Women will cope with the subject material because it's shot exquisitly & is very respectful towards women, and men will cope with it because problems are worked through and are solvable. If you can handle the basic premiss of the plot, then you will be surprised by the colour & sound of the film. It has the most stunning soundtrack I have encountered for a long time. The traditional African songs will blow your mind, because they do not match the visuals. I am recommending this film for the music & colour alone. It is this that will really make you think deeply.