
An ex con teams up with federal agents to help them with breaking up a moonshine ring.... (Full plot summary below)
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An ex con teams up with federal agents to help them with breaking up a moonshine ring.
Leave your thoughts about White Lightning.
| CinePassionFernando F. CroceShot through with radiant natural light and Reynolds's scalawag grin |
| The New York TimesRoger GreenspunA fairly awful movie that keeps producing good things—scenes, performances, moments of insight—that seem connected to better ideas than anything suggested in the film's larger intentions. |
| User ReviewSenor CThis movie rocks, a time that will never pass again! |
| User ReviewAndy DThis is Burt Reynolds at his best! I love the deep south feel of this movie. It doesn't get any better than this! Love the music too. |
| User ReviewPrivate Uhow'd you like that knife stuck up yo ass? |
| User ReviewDerek Gcaptures the south with extraordinary aptitudeMOONSHINESPEAKINGOFDEADLIFTS |
| User ReviewLane CWatch this film with an understanding of the time and the culture within which and for which it was created. It is a subversive political film -- made for a white southern audience adjusting to the changes set in motion by the civil rights movement. Gator is a hero anyone could empathize with and consequently makes his stand against a repressive authority embraceable. |
| User ReviewBryan PThis is Burt Reynolds at his best! I love the deep south feel of this movie. It doesn't get any better than this! Love the music too. |
| User ReviewWilliam MClassic, don't make them like this anymore |
| User ReviewGreg WDirected by Joseph Sargent (The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974), MacArthur (1977) and Jaws: The Revenge (1987)) and written by William W. Norton (The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (1973), Big Bad Mama (1974) and Brannigan (1975)), this is a tough and down and dirty exploitation action film, which helped put it's star on the map shortly after the success of making Deliverence (1972). In Arkansas, Bobby "Gator" McKlusky (Burt Reynolds) is serving time in prison for running moonshine between counties. While in prison, Gator learns that his younger brother was murdered by corrupt Sheriff J.C Conners (Ned Beatty). While he tries to escape from prison to get even, he's caught by the law, but they tell him that Conners is being investigated, and they offer Gator the chance to go undercover to bring down Conners. Gator joins bootlegger Roy Boone (Bo Hopkins) and they try to get close to Conners. However, it's not long before Conners finds out about Gator, and he sends Big Bear (R.G. Armstrong) to put a stop to Gator. It comes across as a hillbilly take on Yojimbo (1960), with the lone stranger coming to down to bring down a baddie, only here, the baddie is the law. It has some unbelievable car chases throughout, and Reynolds has a rugged charm. Plus, Charles Bernstein's score was lifted for Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds. Oh, Quentin!! |