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
Directors
Writers
Cast
Rosemary Murphy, Ed Call, Felton Perry, Pepper Martin, Red West, Joe Don Baker, Kenneth Tobey, Bruce Glover, Elizabeth Hartman, Gene Evans, Noah Beery, Jr., Brenda Benet, John Brascia, Arch Johnson, Richard X. Slattery, Lynn Borden, Sidney Clute, Douglas Fowley, Lloyd Tatum, Vaudie Plunk, Wanea Wes, Sam Laws, Pearline Wynn, Ted Jordan, Andrew J. Pirtle, Logan Ramsey, John Myhers
Trailer
Reviews
75
On one hand, it's an ultraviolent revenge fantasy, and on the other hand, it's a masterpiece of over-the-top unintentional hilarity—with a clenched-toothed performance by Baker serving as its centerpiece. It's in the latter capacity that Walking Tall can be highly recommended as an unconscionably good time.
70
The New Yorker
This rabble-rousing movie appeals to a deep-seated belief in simple, swift, Biblical justice; the visceral impact of the film makes one know how crowds must feel when they're being swayed by demagogues.
70
Village Voice
Like it or not, Walking tall is saying something very important to many people, and it is saying it with accomplished artistry. [21 Feb 1974, p.61]
70
New York Magazine (Vulture)
Walking Tall grabs you where trash and violence invariably do, with excellent performers, shrewd plotting and pacing. [18 Feb 1974, p.74]
50
Valiant Southern sheriff. Effective, unsurprising.
