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White Lightning

"Meet the Bayou's baddest good ol' boy."

An ex-con teams up with federal agents to help them with breaking up a moonshine ring.

Top Cast

  • Burt Reynolds

    Burt Reynolds

    Bobby "Gator" McKlusky

  • Jennifer Billingsley

    Jennifer Billingsley

    Lou

  • Ned Beatty

    Ned Beatty

    Sheriff J.C. Connors

  • Bo Hopkins

    Bo Hopkins

    Ray Boone

  • Matt Clark

    Matt Clark

    Dude Watson

  • Louise Latham

    Louise Latham

    Martha Culpepper

  • Diane Ladd

    Diane Ladd

    Maggie

  • R.G. Armstrong

    R.G. Armstrong

    Big Bear

  • Conlan Carter

    Conlan Carter

    Deputy

Overview

An ex-con teams up with federal agents to help them with breaking up a moonshine ring.

Rating

6.1 / 10
109 Reviews
1 Popular

2 Reviews

  • Wuchak
    Wuchak
    7 Sep 2, 2019

    ***Southern Gothic with Burt Reynolds and action*** A moonshiner on a prison farm in Arkansas, Gator McKlusky (Burt Reynolds), gets released early under the condition that he helps the Feds break a moonshining ring backed by a corrupt Sheriff (Ned Beatty), who also happens to be the murderer of Gator’s little brother. “White Lightning” (1973) is a Deep South crime drama/thriller that mixes “Deliverance” (1972) with Peck’s “I Walk the Line” (1970), adding elements of “Bullitt” (1968) and the early Dirty Harry flicks. “Smokey and the Bandit” (1977) took the basic idea and satirized it. The creators really captured the early 70’s Deep South with loads of sweat and believable characters played by Beatty, Bo Hopkins, Jennifer Billingsley, Matt Clark and R.G. Armstrong. “Walking Tall” (1973) is a good comparison. The film runs 1 hour, 41 minutes, and was shot in Benton, Arkansas, and nearby parts (Keo, Scott, Little Rock, Wrightsville & Alexander). GRADE: B

  • JPV852
    JPV852
    6 Nov 19, 2023

    Has some okay car chases/stunt work and Burt Reynolds is charming as usual, but the story never really clicked for me and I found my mind lingering. Personally I prefer spending that time watching Smokey and the Bandit again. Next I'll be checking out the sequel, Gator. **3.0/5**

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