🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Simon West
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 1999
- Runtime (length): 1h 56min
- IMDb rating: 6.4/10 (68K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 19%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
John Travolta investigates a murder on a military base, uncovers a bunch of secrets, and yells at James Cromwell for being a bad dad.
🍿 The General’s Daughter: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Murder and Initial Investigation
Chief Warrant Officer Paul Brenner and Sara Sunhill investigate the brutal murder of Captain Elisabeth Campbell, the daughter of Lieutenant General ‘Fighting Joe’ Campbell. Elisabeth’s body is found staged on a military training ground, sparking an immediate and intense investigation. Brenner and Sunhill, former lovers, must navigate a web of secrets and potential cover-ups within the military base.

Uncovering Elisabeth’s Secrets
As Brenner and Sunhill delve deeper, they uncover a hidden side to Captain Campbell’s life. They discover a secret room filled with BDSM paraphernalia and video tapes, revealing her involvement in sexually explicit activities with several officers on the base. These revelations cast suspicion on a wide range of individuals, complicating the investigation.

The West Point Connection
The investigation leads Brenner and Sunhill to West Point, where they uncover a traumatic event from Elisabeth’s past. They learn that she was the victim of a brutal gang rape by fellow cadets during a training exercise. This event profoundly affected her life and may be connected to her murder.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Paul Brenner (John Travolta): A determined Army CID investigator, he is tasked with solving the complex murder of a general’s daughter while navigating military cover-ups.
- Sara Sunhill (Madeleine Stowe): A fellow CID investigator and Brenner’s ex-lover, she provides expertise in rape cases and shares a complicated history with him as they uncover the truth.
- General Campbell (James Cromwell): The respected Lieutenant General, he is also the father of the murdered Captain Campbell, whose past actions regarding his daughter become central to the investigation.
- Elisabeth Campbell (Leslie Stefanson): The murdered Captain, haunted by a traumatic past and struggling with its consequences, becomes the center of a web of military secrets and betrayals.
- Colonel Kent (Timothy Hutton): As the base Provost Marshal, he is initially responsible for securing the crime scene, but his personal connection to the victim leads to his implication in the crime.
- Colonel Moore (James Woods): A psychological operations officer and close confidant of Elisabeth Campbell, he becomes a suspect due to his proximity to the victim and his own troubled past.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Paul Brenner: “You’re in the Army, you don’t have any rights.” – Said during an interrogation, highlighting the power dynamics and potential for abuse within the military system, although incorrect.
- Paul Brenner: “My dad was a drunk, a gambler, and a womanizer. I worshipped him.” – Brenner’s humorous response when asked about his relationship with his own father, revealing a cynical acceptance of flawed figures of authority.
- Elisabeth Campbell: “We f*** with people’s minds.” – Said while explaining her work in psychological operations, foreshadowing the manipulative and deceptive aspects of the film’s plot.
- Paul Brenner: “There’s the right way, the wrong way, and the Army way.” – Expresses the cynical view of the military justice system.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $95,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $102,705,852
- Worldwide Gross: $149,705,852
💥 The General’s Daughter Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching this movie years ago and being completely hooked by the mystery. Travolta is great as the tough but fair investigator, and the twists kept me guessing until the very end. The whole West Point scandal was really shocking, and I felt so much for Elisabeth, even with all her issues. It’s a movie that sticks with you. The ending with the reveal of the real killer was intense.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of crime thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in military dramas”
- “Those who enjoy John Travolta movies”
- “Readers of Nelson DeMille novels”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence”
- “Scenes of rape and sexual assault”
- “Strong language”
- “Mature themes”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “A serviceable thriller elevated by strong performances, particularly from Travolta and Woods, but ultimately weighed down by its lurid plot and familiar tropes. Focus on character interactions is the best part of the movie experience.
- RogerEbert.com: “While it starts strong with intriguing mysteries and solid acting, The General’s Daughter loses its way in a convoluted plot and over-the-top revelations, undermining its potential for a truly compelling military thriller. Some scenes feel unnecessary and add nothing to the central plot, dragging the movie’s overall flow.
- Empire: “An enjoyable if somewhat predictable military crime drama, The General’s Daughter benefits from its charismatic leads and a few genuinely suspenseful moments, even if its handling of sensitive subject matter is occasionally heavy-handed.
Audience Reactions
Viewers loved the intense mystery and surprising twists throughout the film.: Most audiences appreciated the strong performances from the cast, especially John Travolta and James Cromwell.
Many viewers found the subject matter disturbing and thought-provoking.: The film’s exploration of military culture and cover-ups resonated with many viewers.
Overall Consensus: A flawed but entertaining military thriller with strong performances and a compelling mystery, though some viewers found the subject matter and plot twists to be overly sensationalized.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The U.S. Army refused to cooperate with the film’s production due to its sensitive subject matter and portrayal of military cover-ups.”
- “The film is based on the novel of the same name by Nelson DeMille, who is known for his detailed research and realistic depictions of law enforcement and military procedures.”
- “John Travolta initially adopts a Southern accent for his undercover role, but later abandons it as his character’s true identity is revealed.”
🖥️ How to Watch The General’s Daughter?
The General’s Daughter is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for potential streaming availability through subscription services.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The General’s Daughter, you might like these similar films:
- A Few Good Men (1992): Explores similar themes of military cover-ups, honor, and the complexities of justice within the armed forces.
- The Presidio (1988): Features a murder investigation on a military base, uncovering secrets and conspiracies.
- Basic (2003): Another military thriller involving a mysterious death and an investigation that reveals a web of deceit.
- Zero Dark Thirty (2012): Focuses on the dark side and moral ambiguities involved in seeking justice and uncovering hidden truths.
🛒 The General’s Daughter Related Products
- The General’s Daughter [Blu-ray]: Experience The General’s Daughter in high definition with this Blu-ray edition, featuring enhanced picture and sound quality for a truly immersive viewing experience.
- The General’s Daughter (Nelson DeMille): Dive deeper into the story with Nelson DeMille’s original novel, offering more details and insights into the characters and plot than the movie adaptation.
- U.S. Army Baseball Cap: Show your support for the U.S. Army with this officially licensed baseball cap, featuring embroidered logo and adjustable strap for a comfortable fit.
- Military Style Dog Tag: Authentic military-style dog tag. Engrave it with the movie title to always carry the love for the movie with you.
🎧 Soundtrack
The General’s Daughter features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The General’s Daughter was primarily filmed in Savannah, Georgia, USA. The city’s historic architecture and Southern atmosphere served as a fitting backdrop for the film’s military setting and suspenseful plot.
The General’s Daughter is based on a novel by Nelson DeMille. While the plot and characters are fictional, the film touches on sensitive themes related to abuse, power dynamics, and military cover-ups, issues that resonate with real-world concerns. The ending titles highlight the number of women serving in the military.
In The General’s Daughter, Captain Elisabeth Campbell was killed by Colonel William Kent. He murdered her in a fit of rage after she rejected him and threatened to expose their affair.
🔥 Bonus Content
Father takes revenge for his Daughter ⚡️
Wow, this father’s revenge is intense! Check out this short clip to see him in action and witness the lengths he’ll go to for his daughter. Is it justified? Let me know your opinion!
Marcial and Corazon find out that Rhian is their missing daughter | The General’s Daughter Recap
OMG! The moment everyone was waiting for is finally here! Watch this recap to see the dramatic reveal of Rhian’s true identity – it’s a total game-changer! You won’t be disappointed.
This woman is so cruel with her daughter 😤 #shorts #movies #cinemarecap
Can you believe how cruel this mother is?! Watch this shocking clip and prepare to be outraged. Is this kind of parenting ever justifiable? Sound off in the comments below!
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