Filmed in Georgia: 'The General's Daughter' is so-so, but a great example of Savannah's beauty

Frank Hotchkiss
·3 min read

"The General’s Daughter" may not be John Travolta’s finest film, but it surely paid great homage to Savannah.

It’s a convoluted, confusing story of rape, murder and deception with Travolta assigned to untangle the fatal attack on the daughter of a top Army general. Along the way he finds – as you might expect – that matters were not as they seem. Far from it. The daughter in question, a captain in the Army and a bastion of accomplishment and integrity, turns out to have had a double or even triple life.

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On top of being co-produced by local film producer Stratton Leopold, what makes it particularly interesting for Savannahans is the locations converted for cinematic purposes.

On the set of "The General's Daughter" being filmed at Wormsloe. Bob Morris photo.
On the set of "The General's Daughter" being filmed at Wormsloe. Bob Morris photo.

Chief among those is Wormsloe Plantation, which becomes an Army base. Hollywood does a great job of transforming places, here especially. The long alley of oak trees that lead to the tabby ruins of Wormsloe, the colonial estate of Noble Jones (1702–1775), now are the heart of an Army headquarters that includes a training center of false fronts for combat preparation.

(Wormsloe's tabby ruin is the oldest standing structure in Savannah. The name “Wormsloe” came from the township in England: Wormslow (Wormelow) Hundred in Herefordshire.)

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Savannah State University also gets a good showing with the elegant, columned Hill Hall supposedly the residence of the general in question, and Forsyth Park with its famous central fountain is a repeated backdrop. Tybee’s lighthouse is shown a number of times.

"The General's Daughter" films at Savannah State University's Hill Hall, which was painted to look like red bricks.
"The General's Daughter" films at Savannah State University's Hill Hall, which was painted to look like red bricks.

Hill Hall deserves some recognition. Built by students in 1901, it deteriorated until being closed down in 1996 when it was rescued by "The General’s Daughter." Paramount Pictures repainted the building for the film, leading the school to begin a three-part restoration.

Having given the film a so-so rating, is it worth a look? Yes, for sure.

Travolta and co-star Madeleine Stowe have wonderful badinage between them, having once been “close” and now working to solve the whole mess together. As you might expect, innuendo abounds, particularly well-played by Stowe, whose expressions often say much more than her words.

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The Army comes off as less than sterling, for sure – too many prejudices (particularly against females). There are river scenes of house boats, very possibly Thunderbolt, but who knows?

"The General's Daughter" director Simon West (top, wearing straw hat) looks through a monitor while sitting on the camera truck. Camera operator Robert Presley (center) prepares to film convoy scene at Wormsloe. West also directed "Con Air.'' Bob Morris photo.
"The General's Daughter" director Simon West (top, wearing straw hat) looks through a monitor while sitting on the camera truck. Camera operator Robert Presley (center) prepares to film convoy scene at Wormsloe. West also directed "Con Air.'' Bob Morris photo.

"The General’s Daughter" has some fine actors in the cast: James Woods, Clarence Williams III (not well known but you’ll recognize him for his subtle performance), James Cromwell and Timothy Hutton.

Cromwell plays the upstanding American, who isn’t so upstanding. Bad guys come in all forms when pride and prestige are at stake. The script leaves everyone in the cast all an uphill challenge.

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As for Travolta, he’s had a varied career with some extraordinary performances. "Swordfish" and more recently "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3" with Denzel Washington that show his power and depth portraying dark, dark people.

He’s enjoyed Savannah in the past, and hopefully he will return to do so again.

"The General's Daughter" is available at your local library and is streaming on Paramount Plus and Amazon Prime.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Movied filmed in Georgia: The Generals' Daughter with John Travolta