The General's Daughter
Performance & Direction: The General's Daughter Review
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The General's Daughter (1999) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and The General's Daughter features a noteworthy lineup led by John Travolta . Supported by the likes of Madeleine Stowe and James Cromwell , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The General's Daughter
Quick Plot Summary: The General's Daughter is a Thriller, Mystery, Crime film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The plot weaves a complex web of mystery and suspense. When the body of Army Capt. Elisabeth Campbell is found on a Georgia military base, two investigators, Warrant Officers Paul Brenner and Sara Sunhill, are ordered to solve her murder. What they uncover is anything but clear-cut. Unseemly details emerge about Campbell's life, leading to allegations of a possible military coverup of her death and the involvement of her father, Lt. Gen. Joseph Campbell. Information is revealed strategically, keeping viewers engaged as they piece together clues alongside the protagonist. The narrative maintains momentum through well-timed revelations and unexpected turns.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening scene plants the seeds of mystery, introducing questions that will drive the narrative forward.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: All mysteries converge in a climax that recontextualizes earlier events and delivers satisfying answers.
Ending Explained: The General's Daughter
Ending Breakdown: The General's Daughter concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The General's Daughter reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The General's Daughter Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The General's Daughter incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a thriller, mystery, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The General's Daughter adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The General's Daughter?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Thriller films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want suspenseful moments and mystery
Box Office Collection: The General's Daughter
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $60.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $149.7M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The General's Daughter Budget
The estimated production budget for The General's Daughter is $60.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The General's Daughter
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Where to Watch The General's Daughter Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe General's Daughter Parents Guide & Age Rating
1999 AdvisoryWondering about The General's Daughter age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The General's Daughter is 116 minutes (1h 56m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, The General's Daughter is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1999 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The General's Daughter worth watching?
The General's Daughter is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The General's Daughter parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The General's Daughter identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The General's Daughter?
The total duration of The General's Daughter is 116 minutes, which is approximately 1h 56m long.
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Critic Reviews for The General's Daughter
Not the strongest mystery-drama-thriller but serviceable if not also pretty heavy in a few scenes dealing with a woman's brutal sexual assault. Travolta gives a fine performance as does the reliable James Cromwell, not to mention James Woods and Madeline Stowe. This is probably my third time viewing, first in a long while, but still found it engaging as well as really sad. **3.75/5**
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
