Walking Tall (1973)

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.

Director:

Phil Karlson

Writers:

Mort Briskin, Stephen Downing,

Stars:

Joe Don Baker, Elizabeth Hartman, Leif Garrett

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Don Baker	...	Buford Pusser
Elizabeth Hartman	...	Pauline Pusser
Leif Garrett	...	Mike Pusser
Dawn Lyn	...	Dwana Pusser
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Grandpa Carl Pusser (as Noah Beery)
Lurene Tuttle	...	Grandma Pusser
Ed Call	...	Lutie McVey
Dominick Mazzie	...	Bozo
Lynn Borden	...	Margie Ann
Brenda Benet	...	Luan Paxton (as Brenda Benét)
Arch Johnson	...	Buel Jaggers
Russell Thorson	...	Ferrin Meaks
Gil Perkins	...	1st Bouncer
Carey Loftin	...	Dice Player
Warner Venetz	...	Stickman

Storyline

Buford Pusser's a wrestler, whose wife wants him to settle down, so they go to his home town in Tennessee, where he plans to get into business with his father. But he is shocked to discover all sorts of graft and corruption going on. And when he is a victim of it and decides to strike back by running against the corrupt sheriff. And he wins and wages his own little war against them.

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Plot Keywords:

corruption | tennessee | sheriff | corrupt | wrestler | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Agrios, skliros ekdikitis

Filming Locations:

Henderson, Tennessee, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bing Crosby Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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 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.

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Goofs

The former sheriff's car explodes before it hits the ground.

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Quotes

Buford: Hey Arno, howzit hangin?

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Connections

Remade as Walking Tall (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Walking Tall"
Sung by Johnny Mathis
Lyrics by Don Black
Music by Walter Scharf

User Reviews

This must set a record

I don't know if anyone else has commented on this, but this film must set the record for misplaced "boom" or microphone intrusions into the visible frame. What kind of drugs were the crew on while making this movie? Didn't they notice these howlers during the daily rushes and editing of the movie? It happens so much throughout the film its really laughable, and certainly gives it a B movie feeling. However, there were A list actors in the movie.

Thats why this negligence seems so out of place. Anyway, I still enjoyed the movie, even though it seemed a little hokey, far fetched and simplistic.

Good, straightforward, violent entertainment.