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John Travolta, Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell, Timothy Hutton, Leslie Stefanson ... see more see more... , Daniel von Bargen , Clarence Williams III , James Woods , Peter Weireter , Mark Boone Jr. , John Beasley , Boyd Kestner , Brad Beyer , John Benjamin Hickey , Rick Dial , Ariyan Johnson , John Frankenheimer

A murder on a military base unearths a netherworld of corruption in this thriller based on the novel by Nelson DeMille. General Joe Campbell (James Cromwell) is a respected military leader with a flaw... read more read more...less reputation; he's due to retire from the Army soon and is headed for a Vice-Presidential nomination. However, Campbell finds himself in both a personal and political crisis when his daughter is brutally murdered. Captain Elizabeth Campbell (Leslie Stefanson) was beautiful, intelligent, disciplined, and well-regarded, the very model of an ideal female officer; she was also stationed at the same base as her father. Paul Brenner (John Travolta), a warrant officer of the Army's Criminal Investigation Division, is assigned to look into the case alongside CID officer Sara Sunhill (Madeleine Stowe). Brenner and Sunhill were once romantically involved, complicating an assignment that soon offers more than enough complications of its own. Brenner and Sunhill come to realize that, for all her accomplishments, Elizabeth carried a lifetime of emotional scars from emotional abuse and sexual harassment, and that, despite the General's reputation, his relationship with his daughter was not always a happy or healthy one. It also seems possible that the General's second-in-command, General George Fowler (Clarence Williams III), a likely candidate for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, may also be implicated in the crime. The General's Daughter was the second feature film for director Simon West; his full-length debut was Con Air (1997), after a long string of successful television commercials and music videos. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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54% liked it

51,500 ratings

Critics

23% liked it

88 critics

R, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Simon West

Release Date: June 18, 1999

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DVD Release Date: December 14, 1999

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Flixster Reviews (1,081)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 13, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    The General's Daughter is an interesting Thriller, but ends up being a fairly average one at best. The film has a decent enough cast starring in it. Overall the film is an average piece of cinema that delivers decent thrills as the main character played by John Travolta seeks to ... read moreuncover the truth about the murder of a C. at West Point. He uncovers many cover ups and soon discovers that the C.O's daughter wasn't all that she seemed to be. Though a good film, I thought that The General's Daughter could have used a bit more story to the subject matter because here you have a story that is almost flat at times. However theres some good twists and good thrills to be had watching this film. The film is good, but it's nothing terrific. The acting is fairly well delivered, James Cromwell and James Woods are terrific and even John Travolta is good here, but his performance is at times uneven. The film is nothing spectacular in terms of a Thriller, but it has many good things going for it that will surely entertain the viewer. The General's Daughter is an average Thriller with above average acting, it has the potential to be a great Thriller, but it doesn't quit get there. However the film is bound to give you a few thrills as you follow Paul Brenner uncover the truth of the murder in the film. An entertain film that could have been better.
  • SirPant
    November 11, 2010
    SirPant
    This film condemns the U.S. army's stance of superiority, Independence, secrecy and the overall idea that they are above the law, and in some respects films that support that notion and fly under the notion of patriotism - so it's quite confusing that visually, it's got all the s... read moreame styling and same tricks as those films, but I digress. The story is compelling to a point but it soon delivers the disturbing message that basically, every man is a potential rapist/murder and all round asshole - It's not exactly respectful to women either, even though it's supposed to be supportive. Insulting to say the least!
  • 76Majikat
    November 13, 2009
    76Majikat
    A film that warmed up nicely into an ok military Thriller. Particularly liked James Woods in this, who does occasionally show a glimpse of brilliance.

    Although a very different storyline, there were, I felt, reminders of ?A few good Men? in the theme.

    An interesting film... read more that?s worthy of a watch and one of Travolta?s better films.
  • kiriyamakazou
    August 23, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    A thriller that achieves what it sets out to do. The cast are all very strong, and add a bit of credence to a fairly overblown plot. Woods and Travolta have some excellent dialogues together, and even the forced flirtation between Stowe and Travolta has the lines delivered well b... read moreetween scenes of a rape investigation. It's another military themed film that attacks the military for it's "all for one" attitude, and also addresses issues of women in the military. West is a master of thrills, and this sits up there with Con Air for pure Hollywood escapism.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    August 3, 2009
    cancercapricorn2002
    Question: What do you do when you have an average storyline with too many sub-plots and clichéd twists? Answer: Get an A-list ensemble cast to take the focus away from the actual story.

    First, I'd like to say that the movie is worth watching, especially if you're flicking thro... read moreugh the channels on TV and it happens to be playing. It tackles the issues of female abuse in the military, corruptness of military officials, and ultimately betrayal between father and daughter. Unfortunately these themes have been explored to death in many other films, and this film does little to improve on the subject matter.

    John Travolta, a cocky but smart military cop with an extreme dislike for authoritative figures, leads an investigation into the death of a female military officer. As events unfold, he finds out that things aren't what they seem (what a surprise!) and that a massive cover-up has been put in place by the woman's father, a general in army, about the fact that she was gang-raped 7 years ago.

    The rape scene is brutal and powerful and you will land up hating all military people, which is exactly the reason why her father tried to cover up her rape. It is completely implausible that a father would cover up his own daughters brutal rape to avoid, what is ultimately, bad press.

    Travolta is favorite of mine but he plays his character too tongue-in-cheek, considering the subject matter. Although he is extremely entertaining, I get the feeling that he plays it lightly because he's not able to play the roles seriously. He's just not a dramatic actor and I kept waiting for him to say stuff like "cool baby".

    James Woods, a powerhouse actor if given the right opportunity, is unfortunately given a small role, although crucial to the plot. The witty remarks between him and Travolta are really what make this film worth watching.

    The ultimate baddie in this film is the general, played by the same actor that played the corrupt police captain in L.A Confidential. They're basically the same type of characters...corrupt and powerful. For me this was a give-away as soon as I saw him because he always plays the bad guy. Is there a more type-casted actor? He's also not particularly a powerful actor, nor was his character interesting. They could have made him a lot more intimidating...like Jack Nicholson's character in A Few Good Men. At the end you're just not sure if he was a good father who made a bad decision or a corrupt general who made a good decision.

    There are many characters and scenes in this move that have no real purpose. The fight scene in the beginning of the movie when Travolta is attacked by some guy that he's been investigating is not necessary. Travolta just laughs at the situation, makes a few witty remarks and leaves. The general's loyal assistant who helps him cover up the rape. has no input to the movie or storyline. The ultimate no-needer is Madeleine Stowe's character. She seems to exist just to give male viewers something to look at other than guys in army uniforms. Her character has no depth nor enough lines in the movie. Everything she uncovers could have been done by Travolta's character.

    The film is engaging although disappointing in the end. In the last few minutes, Travolta's character threatens to court-martial the general and following a few witty remarks, the general leaves. I can't help thinking that the movie should have centred around the court-martial instead of the actual crimes. It would have made a much bigger impact as a court-room drama then as a second-rate criminal investigation. It just feels like another episode of CSI: Miami.

    It's watchable only because of the A-list cast, also including Madeleine Stowe and Timothy Hutton. Ultimately the movie hinges on John Travolta's charm, not his acting, to pull it off. I
  • Julie
    June 8, 2009
    Julie
    Meh. But you'll watch anything when you're jet lagged. Is it just me, or does anyone else have trouble believing James Cromwell is on the up and up since LA Confidential?
  • FiLmCrAzY
    April 14, 2009
    FiLmCrAzY
    i thnk this is a brilliant film really good with twists and turns that are easy to folow and enjoy
  • harrycaul
    February 17, 2008
    harrycaul
    A dull thriller, given an undeservedly classy sheen by its attractive cinematography. Travolta and Stowe's romantic flirtation sits uneasily with the nastiness of the crime they are investigating, there are not enough credible suspects for the murder, and you'd have to be pretty ... read moredozy not to spot the real culprit early on. Could it possibly be the guy who let that other suspect out of jail, conveniently to commit 'suicide'??? A good cast, but this is a little lame.
  • thmtsang
    July 14, 2007
    thmtsang
    John has to solve a murder. Good plot.
  • sainttom93
    January 14, 2007
    sainttom93
    Loved the book -- don't like John Revolting

View All The General's Daughter Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rick Groen
April 25, 2003
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

No doubt about it, to divulge the plot would spoil the experience -- you'll be shocked to discover, and maybe even surprised to learn, just how lame the damn thing really is. Full Review

Jeff Strickler
November 6, 2002
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

In terms of tone, the film is all over the map. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 11, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A lurid mess, a Southern gumbo simmering in Gothic cliche.

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

A middling, so-so thriller. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

For all the stars' intensity as investigators, nobody in this whodunit really seems interested in the upshot. Full Review

Bob Fenster
January 1, 2000
Bob Fenster, Arizona Republic

The sleaziest movie of the year is The General's Daughter!

Peter Rainer
January 1, 2000
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

The overriding tone is soggy. About the only thing that's crisp in this movie is the way everybody salutes. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
January 1, 2000
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

A self-destructive movie.

Julie Hinds
January 1, 2000
Julie Hinds, San Jose Mercury News

Tired, uninspired.

Andrew O'Hehir
January 1, 2000
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

Its vision of reality seems so stylized, so fake, that I came out of it wondering whether it has the slightest idea what it's talking about. Full Review

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The General's Daughter Trivia

  • What actor starred in L.A. Confidential, The General's Daughter, The Sum of All Fears, and The Longest Yard?  Answer »
  • ***What Movie Is This Tagline From "Go Behind The Lies."***  Answer »
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