Starring: Joe Don Baker, Elizabeth Hartman, Gene Evans, Noah Beery Jr., Brenda Benet Directed By: Phil Karlson Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Paramount Home Video Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: November 20, 2007 Running Time: 124 minutes Theatrical Release Date: February 22, 1973
Product Description: Based on true events in the life of Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser who "removes" corruption in his county with a four-foot-long wooden club. When the criminals attack his family Buford shoots a whorehouse manager in the head and runs hillbilly gangsters over with his car. System Requirements:Run Time: 124 minutes Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY UPC: 097360609745
Amazon.com: Weirdly marketed as a right-wing screed upon its initial release in 1973, Walking Tall is really a tragic, shockingly violent post-noir film based on various legends surrounding real-life Southern sheriff Buford Pusser. Joe Don Baker (The Natural) gives a powerful performance as Pusser, who took on determined forces of crime and corruption in his town at great personal expense. Directed with an intentionally crude force by Phil Karlson (Kansas City Confidential), one of the toughest filmmakers of the 1950s, the film's grimness does not let up, but in the end it is more likely to break hearts than turn stomachs. --Tom Keogh
Walking Tall Sorry, been too busy to watch the video. But I did see it when it first came out & it was fantastic. Joe Don Baker did a great job playing Pusser. I should know because I knew Bufor Pusser.
Still no respect In the early 70's two lawmen came to national attention, Buford Pusser and Frank Serpico. They both fought corruption and had been shot in the face-(Pusser was shot in the face twice and on another occassion had his jaw shot off and his wife killed) Both men became subjects of the movies. Serpico, a NYPD officer became the subject of a major motion picture vehicle for Al Pacino. Pusser, a Southern sheriff, was the subject of a low-budget drive-in movie exploitation film. The Serpico movie was good but the Pusser movie made headlines and millions. The folks at BCP saw what they had and rereleased the film with a new PR campaing. The public realized that this was a story worth seeing. Buford Pusser is now a legend and this film is a cultural icon. Unfortunatly the handlers of the movie refuse to see it's significence. Pusser was, according to the movie: "a poor white trash sheriff." His story, while far greater than Serpico's, did not rate the respect of the coasts movie mogals. But the public did. While the "Serpico" DVD is loaded with extras, even a documentary on the real Frank Serpico, this "Walking Tall" dvd offers nothing but a copy of the film. That's too bad, the movie and Pusser deserve better. Still, this is a great movie. As was "Serpico." Pusser's daughter will release a biography on her father in Oct. of 2008, called "Walking On" hopefully it will help raise his story to the respect that it deserves.
Walking Tall is a must see!! "Walking Tall" (the orignal version), starring Joe Don Baker, is one of those movies you watch over & over again! This one has it all. Based on a true person; hard to believe something like this can really happen! This will bring out every emotion ya got! All the actors were indeed perfect for their roles, (which doesn't happen too often!) This movie will keep you glued to the tube from the very beginning, to the end. Matter of fact, I did't want to see it end! The story is based on a man that moves his family back to his small home town. (A move that will change all of their lives forever.) Really, it's got it all: laughter, sadness, surprise, and awe! Truely shocking, but also a MUST SEE!!!
Gutsy Entertainment This is the original. The one starring "The Rock" doesn't even deserve to share the movie title compared to this one!
GP's view The old versions just seem to bring the story across better. Joe don Baker awakens the need to mete out justice in a corrupt society, much along the lines of the Charles Bronson vigilante movies. I think it reflects the kind of society that we live in when we are moved to these actions. If we however don't get worked up then obviously our system must be working or we just do not care about what happens. Joe takes the stand and sorts out the problems in his town.
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