The Great Santini
Performance & Direction: The Great Santini Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
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.
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 / Region | Collection (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.
Top Cast: The Great Santini
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Where to Watch The Great Santini Online?
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Fandango At HomeThe Great Santini Parents Guide & Age Rating
1979 AdvisoryWondering about The Great Santini age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ 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.
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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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.









