Walking Tall (1973)

Director:

Phil Karlson

Writers:

Mort Briskin (writer)
Stephen Downing (writer)

Release Date:

22 February 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Action

Tagline:

Take your best shot... 'cause it'll probably be your last.

Plot:

Based on the life of Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser whom almost single-handily cleaned up his small town of crime and corruption, but at a personal cost of his family life and nearly his own life.

Plot Keywords:

Sheriff | Corruption | Tennessee | Small Town | Racial Slur

Cast

Joe Don Baker	...	Buford Pusser
Elizabeth Hartman	...	Pauline Pusser
Gene Evans	...	Sheriff Al Thurman
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Grandpa Carl Pusser
Brenda Benet	...	Luan Paxton
John Brascia	...	Prentiss Parley
Bruce Glover	...	Grady Coker
Arch Johnson	...	Buel Jaggers
Felton Perry	...	Obra Eaker
Richard X. Slattery	...	Arno Purdy
Rosemary Murphy	...	Callie Hacker
Lynn Borden	...	Margie Ann
Ed Call	...	Lutie McVey
Sidney Clute	...	Sheldon Levine
Douglas Fowley	...	Judge R.W. Clarke

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Iceland:16 | West Germany:18 (cut) | Finland:(Banned) (1974) | Finland:K-18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (cut) | USA:R | Norway:16 (video rating) | Norway:(Banned) (1974-2003) (cinema release)

Filming Locations:

Henderson, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Bing Crosby Productions

Trivia:

The elected officials of McNairy County, Tennessee, the setting of the movie, were so embarrassed by the national attention brought to the corrupt county that they refused to allow the movie to be shot there. It was consequently shot in neighboring Chester County. The short-sighted officials didn't realize the amount of money it would bring into McNairy County, one of the poorest counties in Tennessee. However, when the remake, Walking Tall (2004) was announced, the county aggressively "courted" the filmmakers, trying to get the movie made in McNairy County. It was to no avail, as the remake was shot in Vancouver, BC.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Buford is "busting up a still", there is a crew member crouched down beside the car.

Quotes:

Augie McCulluah: We otta take Sir Lancelot's big stick and shove it up his ass!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Devil's Rejects (2005)

Standard Actioner

Yes Virginia there really was a man named Buford Pusser. He was a south Tennessee sheriff who was shot 8 times, knifed 7 times, survived a ambush, and even jumped onto a speeding car to make a arrest. The film, which was admittedly given the Hollywood treatment, looks at his exploits in a somewhat routine,somewhat gritty style with some surprisingly stirring moments. Though by the end when Johnny Mathis sings a ill advised syrupy song do you realize how emotionally manipulative it all really is.

Shot right in Tennessee and not some reprocessed Hollywood backlot. The excellent location shooting almost becomes a star in itself. However someone should have told the producers that even in the south the grass is not all green and the leaves aren't all on the trees at Christmas time.

Baker plays the lead role very, very well. Not only does he resemble the real Pusser, but shows some real fiery anger that's just lurking beneath the surface.

The action is intense, bloody, and well staged. Good for those who are game for this type of standard actioner.

It is interesting to note that the real Buford Pusser acted as a consultant to the film and then ended up dying in a very mysterious car crash just a year after the films release.