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
Leif Garrett	...	Mike
Dawn Lyn	...	Dwana
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Grandpa (as Noah Beery)
Lurene Tuttle	...	Grandma
Ed Call	...	Lutie McVeigh
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

A surprise hit when it premiered, Walking Tall carried the theme of one man standing up for his sense of right and wrong. Selmer, a small town in southwest Tennessee, served as the authentic background for the bio-pic of the heroic southern Sheriff. Joe Don Baker did an admirable job with the role, and the hugely violent film was a surprise hit. Former Sheriff Pusser himself was set to potray himself in the sequel, but he died in a car crash as he as returning from his contract signing in California. The sequel was filmed using Swedish actor Bo Swensen, and a Final Chapter triquel told of Pussers' demise. While the Walking Tall franchise will never be on any list of Classic Film, the original is a great slice of Americana, Circa '70s. It made Bakers' career and perhaps kicked the 'southsploutation' genre of that decade into gear.

---

Plot Keywords:

sheriff | tennessee | small town | redneck | tough cop | 

---

Taglines:

His most powerful weapon is the truth

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Große aus dem Dunkeln

Filming Locations:

Henderson, Tennessee, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$23,000,000, 31 December 1973

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 family dog was named Shep, who was killed defending Buford in an attack. To make up for the loss of the dog, Grandma gives the children a German Shepard pup as a Christmas gift.

---

Goofs

When Pusser is in the morgue you can clearly see a boom coming in from off screen. Then in the next scene outside you again can clearly see a microphone poking up from below.

---

Quotes

Buford: [to his dad on why he gave up wrestling] It was a one-way street leading no where, Dad... It was organized dishonesty... It was the system. You win when they let you win, you climb the ladder when they let you, you breathe when they feel like giving you air... I got fed up with other people living my life their way.

---

Alternate Versions

The original DVD release of the film was an unmatted fullscreen presentation, with boom mikes visible in numerous shots.

---

Connections

Spoofed in Porky's (1981)

---

Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Very interesting film, couldn't step away

I caught this film in 2006 on the action channel while surfing for something quick to watch for 30 min. I was still there at the end and I had no idea this was supposed to be based on a true story until the credits rolled. It's especially interesting to read some of the reviews here and learn of the fate of the actors and actresses and Mr. Bufford himself outside of the film.

Wow, 33 years ago. I was about 6 when this was made and I'm sure my parents drove a dodge like that ... I can still feel the heat from the vinyl seats burning my legs in the middle of summer.

As for the mystery boom-mike that several folks mention, maybe I was too into the story and in awe of life in the southern US, but I never saw it once! Definitely worth a viewing. As one reviewer said, it may be a good one to watch when you've given up on finding any body left 'walking tall' around you. I saw the remake with 'the rock' before this version. Not even close. The rock's version is your typical Hollywood action flick. This one felt pretty real for '73 and it does get your blood boiling. Granted, some scenes seem pretty far fetched, but the key focus on corruption is there through-out. Maybe we need someone to make an up to date film featuring behind the scenes at Enron.