The Moonshine War (1970)

Director:

Richard Quine

Writers:

Elmore Leonard (novel), Elmore Leonard (screenplay)

Stars:

Patrick McGoohan, Richard Widmark, Alan Alda

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick McGoohan	...	Frank Long
Richard Widmark	...	Dr. Emmett Taulbee
Alan Alda	...	John W. (Son) Martin
Melodie Johnson	...	Lizann Simpson
Will Geer	...	Mr. Baylor
Joe Williams	...	Aaron
Susanne Zenor	...	Miley Mitchell
Lee Hazlewood	...	Dual Metters
Max Showalter	...	Mr. Worthman
Harry Carey Jr.	...	Arley Stamper
Tom Nolan	...	Lowell
Dick Peabody	...	Boyd Caswell (as Richard Peabody)
John Schuck	...	E.J. Royce
Bo Hopkins	...	Bud Blackwell
Charles Tyner	...	Mr. McClendon

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

1930s | rapist | prohibition | moonshine | dentist | 

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Taglines:

1932: The Moonshine War. The 18th amendment prohibited drinking. It didn't say a word about killing, double-crossing or blowing things up.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Whisky brutal

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmways Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Shooting the Moonshine War (1970)

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Soundtracks

"Love Brings Love"
Music by Neal Hefti
Lyrics by Hermine Hilton

User Reviews

For a Few Gallons More

It's a damn shame this cheering slice of deep-friend southernsploitation fun seems to have slipped through the cracks of b-movie cinema for good. Adapted by Elmore Leonard from one of his books, this story, taking place during the end of Prohibition and two months before Roosevelt's election, of a gang of bootleggers led by a middle-aged Richard Widmark trying to get ahold of a large amount of whiskey stashed away by hillbilly Alan Alda, is as unassuming as it is riveting in its own pulpy way. Certain moments of distinctly Leonard-esquire badassitude, such as a scene where Widmark's top dog, played by songwriter Lee Hazlewood of all people, makes a couple strip in a cafe, is right up there with the 'ticket scene' in HOMBRE. Ex-film noir star with a prolific career behind him, Richard Widmark in the role of gang leader Dr. Emmett Taulbee seems to be having the time of his life, Patrick McGoohan is quite good in a role screaming for Warren Oates and Alan Alda is kind of lost in the general excitement. Nothing out of the ordinary here, just a solid, unpretentious, southern-flavoured b-movie, with a crackling script and some good performances, it would probably develop a cult following if it had a DVD release.