he bravest thing he would ever do was let his family love him.

Starring: Robert Duvall, Blythe Danner, Michael O'Keefe, Stan Shaw, Brian Andrews, Paul Geason, Julie Anne Haddock, David Keith, Paul Mantee, Theresa Merritt, Lisa Jane Persky, Michael Strong

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"You're looking at Bull Meechum now, and this is the eye of the storm!" - Bull Meechum, to his subordinates

Why watch this? Robert Duvall's performance is unforgettable.

Plot Summary: Lt. Col. Bull Meechum, a fiercely competitive Marine fighter pilot known as "The Great Santini," moves his family to a new town in 1962 where he manages his home with the same rigid discipline he applies at base. While trying to adapt to their new life, his 18-year-old son Ben struggles to win his father's approval amidst the emotional stress caused by his father’s volatility and overwhelming pressure to perform.

Dad's Preview: On my first viewing of this film, I was traumatized by Duvall's performance as a military father who treats his children like soldiers at boot camp. I hated him for years. But that is vintage Duvall. He inhabits a character. It's so seamless that you can't separate the man from his roles. This family drama probably plays out for those who have dads who were military officers, or coaches, or men who had tyrannical fathers. They feel their job is to instill discipline and toughen them up, using fear and intimidation to accomplish that mission. What they miss, however, is the importance of showing love as a part of that. I had coaches that were complete sadistic assholes, and I had tough coaches who made me better. The difference was an occasional wink, a compliment when I needed it, or a long earnest hug.

 
Orion Pictures, Bing Crosby Productions; Warner Bros.