Goin' South (1978)

77% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
46% of users liked it
(4,259 ratings)

Sentenced to hang in a backwater western town, horse thief Henry Moon (Jack Nicholson) is saved when frontierswoman Julia Tate (Mary Steenburgen) agrees to marry him. Taking advantage of the town law that prohibits the execution of married men, Moon follows Tate back to her ranch, planning all the… More Sentenced to hang in a backwater western town, horse thief Henry Moon (Jack Nicholson) is saved when frontierswoman Julia Tate (Mary Steenburgen) agrees to marry him. Taking advantage of the town law that prohibits the execution of married men, Moon follows Tate back to her ranch, planning all the while to escape at the first possible opportunity. But Tate insists that he honor his end of the bargain at work on the ranch. She has no intention of consummating the union, a fact that drives the hot-to-trot Moon up a wall. She puts him to work on the gold mine that she has on her property, while his old gang prepares to relieve the couple of their gold once it's on the surface. Jack Nicholson personally selected movie newcomer Mary Steenburgen for Goin' South. The film also features John Belushi in the role of a dyspeptic deputy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Jack Nicholson
Written By: John Herman Shaner, Al Ramrus, Charles Shyer, Alan Mandel
Genres: Western, Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1978 Wide
On DVD: Jun 4, 2002
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Jack Nicholson playing Gabby Hayes is interesting, even amusing at times, but Hayes was never a leading man, which Goin' South desperately needs.
, Time Out
Nicholson's second film as director, a wonderfully beguiling Western...
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Jack Nicholson is hilarious in this underrated comedy Western.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Nicholson does a markedly better job with the material than anyone could have expected.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Goin' South is a gritty Western with plenty of spunk.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An enjoyable off-beat Western.
, Film4
A waste of time. One to avoid - especially if you're a fan of the frequently spectacular Jack Nicholson.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
With the Nicholson signature, it keeps on rolling, at least for the first hour and change before the story moves in the wrong direction.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Curtis L

I like that Doc Brown and Claira are together again in the old west. Jackie boy does a fun job as well.
Lafe F

Funny classic comedy western.
xGary X

Enjoyable comic western starring and directed by Jack Nicholson. Without anybody to rein him in, he hams it up mercilessly, but being Jack, he can get away with it in a way that very few can.
Dean M

Amusing comedy-western that Jack Nicholson also directed.
Jim W

Jack Nicholson directs and stars as an outlaw named Henry Moon, who's saved from a hanging by a young widow named Julia Tate (Mary Steenburgen). Apparently, a man can be saved from a hanging if he can find someone willing to marry him. Julia Tate marries Henry to put him to work… More
Jack Nicholson directs and stars as an outlaw named Henry Moon, who's saved from a hanging by a young widow named Julia Tate (Mary Steenburgen). Apparently, a man can be saved from a hanging if he can find someone willing to marry him. Julia Tate marries Henry to put him to work on her mine to search for gold, while Henry is more than willing to be married to her, as long as he gets sex out of the marriage. His marriage is all work and no play, since Julie isn't willing to put out. While on top of things, the sheriff's deputy Towfield (Christopher Lloyd) still wants Henry dead, especially since he's married to the woman Towfield loves. Henry and Julia's loyalties to each other are also put to the test when they find gold and when Henry's old gang find out about it and want a share. Goin' South doesn't have the best plot, but the movie at least has a strong cast with fine performances and good chemistry between Nicholson and Steenburgen. Even when Jack is in a movie where the plot is a little thin, the guy is just entertaining. While Christopher Lloyd is also always great and one of the most under-rated character actors of all time.
Steve S

OK, I admit it, Nicholson was noticeably coked up, Belushi didn't have much of a part, but Mary Steenbergen is a sweetheart.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Jack Nicholson as Henry Moon

            Mary Steenburgen as Julia Tate

            Christopher Lloyd as Towfield

            John Belushi as Hector

            Veronica Cartwright as Hermine

            Danny DeVito as Hog

            Richard Bradford as Sheriff Kyle

            Jeff Morris as Big Abe

            Gerald H. Reynolds as Polty

            Luana Anders as Mrs. Anderson

            George Smith as Mr. Anderson

            Lucy Lee Flippin as Mrs. Haber

            Ed Begley Jr as Mr. Haber

            Maureen Byrnes as Mrs. Warren

            B.J. Merholz as Mr. Warren

            Britt Leach as Parson Weems

            Georgia Schmidt as Florence

            R.L. Armstrong as Farmer Standard

            Dennis Fimple as Hangman

            Anne Ramsey as Spinster II

            Lin Shaye as Parasol Lady

            Tracey Walter as Coofan

            Barbara Walters as Spinster I

            Loren Janes as Passenger

            Don Charles McGovern as Bartender

            May Boss
            
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