The Great Santini

  • 1979
  • PG
  • 115m
movieMx RATING
6.8/1067
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Great Santini Review

Last updated: January 25, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 25, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Great Santini (1979) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Great Santini features a noteworthy lineup led by Robert Duvall . Supported by the likes of Blythe Danner and Michael O'Keefe , 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?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Great Santini (1979) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Great Santini stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Great Santini

Quick Plot Summary: The Great Santini is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Great Santini

Ending Breakdown: The Great Santini concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, 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 drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Great Santini reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Great Santini?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: The Great Santini

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $4.0M
Worldwide Gross $4.7M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Great Santini Budget

The estimated production budget for The Great Santini is $4.0M. 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.

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Top Cast: The Great Santini

All Cast & Crew →
Robert Duvall
Robert DuvallBull Meechum
Blythe Danner
Blythe DannerLillian Meechum
Michael O'Keefe
Michael O'KeefeBen Meechum
Lisa Jane Persky
Lisa Jane PerskyMary Anne Meechum
Julie Anne Haddock
Julie Anne HaddockKaren Meechum
Brian Andrews
Brian AndrewsMatthew Meechum
Stan Shaw
Stan ShawToomer Smalls
Theresa Merritt
Theresa MerrittArrabella Smalls
David Keith
David KeithRed Petus
Paul Mantee
Paul ManteeCol. Virgil Hedgepath
Michael Strong
Michael StrongCol. Varney
Bennett Liss
Bennett LissCpl. Atcherly
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Where to Watch The Great Santini Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

The Great Santini Parents Guide & Age Rating

1979 Advisory
PG

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Great Santini age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Great Santini is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Great Santini is 115 minutes (1h 55m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Great Santini is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1979 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Great Santini. Rating: 6.8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Great Santini worth watching?

The Great Santini is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Great Santini parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Great Santini identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Great Santini?

The total duration of The Great Santini is 115 minutes, which is approximately 1h 55m long.

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How The Great Santini Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Great Santini

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🛡️

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.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.8
The Great Santini
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-great-santini-21887" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.8</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Great Santini</div></div></a>

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