As he approaches manhood, Ben Meechum struggles to win the approval of his demanding alpha male father, an aggressively competitive, but frustrated marine pilot.
Acting
Duvall's Oscar-nominated villainy is magnetic, repulsive, unforgettable
Writing
Screenplay by Pat Conroy adapting his own semi-autobiographical novel
Score
Elmer Bernstein's jazz-tinged military melancholy
Director
Lewis John Carlino
Robert Duvall
Bull Meechum
Blythe Danner
Lillian Meechum
Michael O'Keefe
Ben Meechum
Lisa Jane Persky
Mary Anne Meechum
Julie Anne Haddock
Karen Meechum
Brian Andrews
Matthew Meechum
Stan Shaw
Toomer Smalls
Theresa Merritt
Arrabella Smalls
David Keith
Red Petus
Paul Mantee
Col. Virgil Hedgepath
Michael Strong
Col. Varney
Bennett Liss
Cpl. Atcherly
David Frankham
Capt. Weber
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real Pat Conroy's father, the inspiration for Bull, attended the premiere and later wrote his son a letter: 'I was not consulted.'
The film's 1979 release coincided with evolving conversations about PTSD and Vietnam veterans, adding unintended resonance to Bull's instability.
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