No-nonsense ex-wrestler turned lawman Buford Pusser (a powerful and convincing portrayal by Joe Don Baker) decides to restore law and order in a small corrupt Southern town.
Director Phil Karlson relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, offers a vivid and flavorsome evocation of the downhome country setting, astutely captures a strong sense of vice and moral decay, maintains a tough gritty tone throughout, and stages the action scenes with flair. The bang-up acting by the excellent cast helps out a lot: Elizabeth Hartman as Pusser's sweet and worried wife Pauline, Noah Beery Jr. as Pusser's feisty dad, Gene Evans as the crooked Sheriff Al Thurman, Bruce Glover as the honest Grady Coker, Felton Perry as the eager Obra Eaker, Rosemary Murphy as ruthless crime kingpin Callie Hacker, and Brenda Benet as sultry informant Luan Paxton. However, what really makes this film work so well is the clever way Pusser uses both his wits and brute force to clean up his community as well as inspires others to stand up and walk tall in the face of adversity through the strength of his unshakeable integrity alone. An on the money 70's hicksploitation classic.
Director Phil Karlson relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, offers a vivid and flavorsome evocation of the downhome country setting, astutely captures a strong sense of vice and moral decay, maintains a tough gritty tone throughout, and stages the action scenes with flair. The bang-up acting by the excellent cast helps out a lot: Elizabeth Hartman as Pusser's sweet and worried wife Pauline, Noah Beery Jr. as Pusser's feisty dad, Gene Evans as the crooked Sheriff Al Thurman, Bruce Glover as the honest Grady Coker, Felton Perry as the eager Obra Eaker, Rosemary Murphy as ruthless crime kingpin Callie Hacker, and Brenda Benet as sultry informant Luan Paxton. However, what really makes this film work so well is the clever way Pusser uses both his wits and brute force to clean up his community as well as inspires others to stand up and walk tall in the face of adversity through the strength of his unshakeable integrity alone. An on the money 70's hicksploitation classic.