MovieChat Forums > The Great Santini (1979) Discussion > having read the book, should i watch the...

having read the book, should i watch the movie?

posted 17 years ago by huggin_possums
8 replies | jump to latest

About 10 minutes ago I read the final sentences of the Great Santini, and I decided that it is now one of my favorite books. It's trademark Pat Conroy, and I've never read anything he wrote that I didn't like. However. I've seen the film version of the Prince of Tides and I absolutely hated it. I've seen Conrack, and while I didn't hate it, I didn't necessarily like it either. So. Should I watch Santini? It looks good, and I like Robert Duvall, but can anybody tell me if it's similar to the book? Or even if it's different than the book, is it a worthy adaptation? Any comments would be greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance.

-T (Tim)

[–] jdbna 17 years ago

Definitely see the movie. There are some plot changes, but it is a great movie. Carlino's adapted screenplay is terrific. It preserves all the sibling personalities, especially the sarcasm. It evokes the time period and poignantly draws the strained relationship between the flyer and his firstborn son.
Great cast, too.

[–] huggin_possums 17 years ago

All right, thanks. I'll go see if my blockbuster has it.

-T (Tim)

[–] aerophex1 17 years ago

I picked it up at my local library - free of charge!

Excellent telling

[–] Robertj984 16 years ago

Do you require the imput of strangers on how you live your life? You don't need their permission to watch it. Make your own decisions in life.

[–] MovieBuffMarine 16 years ago

The movie follows the book VERY CLOSELY. Obviously, not all parts of the book are included in the movie (impossible to do unless you do a TV miniseries or trilogy of movies).

Also, the names of the places in the book are fictionalized (like Marine Corps Air Station Ravenal, SC). In the movie, actual names are used (like Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC). But the places depicted both in the book and movie are the same!

Very good execution from novel to movie in my opinion.

[–] jdbna 16 years ago

I really like Pat Conroy's writing style, especially the way he handles conversation. His books have been well adapted for the screen. Santini and The Water is Wide are my favorites

[–] thommytiger 16 years ago

Get some counseling. Or are you just imagining yourself as Bull Meechum in The Great Santini? People sometimes ask others for advice before making a decision. It doesn't indicate weakness, but wisdom and foresight. Your comments only magnify your ignorance and pent-up frustration. What are you so mad about? Why do you feel the need to pick on people asking honest questions in this venue?

We don't need rampaging bullies here. Go find a small-minded, back-water, dirt-for-brains guy like yourself to pick on.

[–] skull-21 16 years ago

Yes.

This movie is a rarity in that it deviates only slightly from the novel on which it is based. An excellent adaptation.