Murder in Coweta County

TV Movie
19831983
Not RatedNot Rated
1h 40m

In 1948, in rural Georgia, Coweta County is watched over by its legendary, indomitable Sheriff Lamar Potts (Johnny Cash). No felony had ever gone unsolved while Sheriff Potts was in charge. ... Read allIn 1948, in rural Georgia, Coweta County is watched over by its legendary, indomitable Sheriff Lamar Potts (Johnny Cash). No felony had ever gone unsolved while Sheriff Potts was in charge. In the next county, though, there is a vast estate known as "The Kingdom." It's ruled by o... Read allIn 1948, in rural Georgia, Coweta County is watched over by its legendary, indomitable Sheriff Lamar Potts (Johnny Cash). No felony had ever gone unsolved while Sheriff Potts was in charge. In the next county, though, there is a vast estate known as "The Kingdom." It's ruled by one man, John Wallace (Andy Griffith), whose power is absolute and beyond the law. But when... Read all

7.6/10

500

Director
- Gary Nelson
Writers
- Dennis Nemec(teleplay)
- Margaret Anne Barnes(book)
Stars

Top credits

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24User reviews

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See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Johnny Cash and Daniel Keyes in Murder in Coweta County (1983)

Johnny Cash in Murder in Coweta County (1983)

June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash in Murder in Coweta County (1983)

Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith in Murder in Coweta County (1983)

Director
- Gary Nelson
Writers
- Dennis Nemec(teleplay)
- Margaret Anne Barnes(book)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

In 1948, in rural Georgia, Coweta County is watched over by its legendary, indomitable Sheriff Lamar Potts (Johnny Cash). No felony had ever gone unsolved while Sheriff Potts was in charge. In the next county, though, there is a vast estate known as "The Kingdom." It's ruled by one man, John Wallace (Andy Griffith), whose power is absolute and beyond the law. But when Wallace chases one of his underlings to deliver ruthless punishment, he makes a critical mistake. He crosses over into Coweta County... Sheriff Potts' territory. This is the compelling true story of the man who ran the Kingdom, and the man who brought him down. —Dick Atkins

sheriff georgia racism murder southern u.s.5 more

Taglines
- Bribery. Bloodshed. Now ... Justice.
Genres
- Crime
- Drama
Certificate
- Not Rated
Parents guide

Trivia
The film is based on a real incident that happened in 1948, and resulted in the first time in the history of the state of Georgia where a white man was given the death sentence upon the testimony of two black men.

Goofs
Courtroom scenes show Georgia flag incorporating Confederate battle flag. Movie takes place in 1947; this flag wasn't adopted until 1956.

Quotes
Sheriff Hardy Collier: Sheriff Potts paid me a visit this morning.
John Wallace: Yeah? Wha'd he want?
Sheriff Hardy Collier: What he wants is the man who killed Wilson Turner.
John Wallace: Is that what's go you so bothered?
Sheriff Hardy Collier: Real bothered!
John Wallace: Well, Turner was nothing but thieving, weasely, white trash. What kinda man gonna go breakin' a sweat over the likes of him?
[chuckles to himself]
Sheriff Hardy Collier: Lamar Potts.
John Wallace: The man was insolent ... stole from me. I let him get away and every dirt farmer I got's gonna wanna start helping himself to my possessions. I had to kill Turner, it was business, Potts oughta understand that.
Sheriff Hardy Collier: Don't see things that way, John. Now if you don't walk right, Potts'll come atcha, and he keeps coming ... hey, you member the field hand that killed his wife and chopper her legs off? Now, Potts tracked him all the way to Kansas and yanked him outta a wheat field!
John Wallace: That was a nigger!
Sheriff Hardy Collier: It don't make no difference to him, John!
John Wallace: I don't believe you know who you're talking to! This is the Kingdom, this is Merryweather! Nobody round here gonna say a word against me!
Sheriff Hardy Collier: Except you didn't kill him in Merryweather! You killed him across the line, where there's Coweta wittnesses and a sheriff that won't quit. Now, I'm tellin' ya John ... if Potts can find a nigger in Kansas, he can sure find white trash in a swamp! Now, I don't know ... and I ... I don't wanna know where you dumped the body, but wherever it is ... better be hid good.

Top review

7/10

Remake this Movie

I agree with the other comments, Griffith and Cash are great. THis made for TV movie is surprisingly edgy. The "N" word, which is common in the book and for that time, was used repeatedly by Griffith, who was a stark contrast to Matlock and Mayberry. My biggest disappointment with this movie is that that is was not filmed in Coweta County, or at least they didn't use our courthouse. Also, they didn't use the Old Jail in Greenville, which still stands today. I'd like to see this movie remade on location, with a Hollywood budget, and at least one major start. The most important Character that would need to be played by a major star would most likely be John Wallace the villain. Over all, for a TV movie it's worth watching.

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