Southern Comfort (1981)
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86% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
73% of users liked it
(5,293 ratings)
A handful of part time soldiers unwittingly turn a field exercise into a miniature war in this offbeat action drama from writer and director Walter Hill. A group of National Guard reservists are sent to Louisiana on a chilly weekend for war games exercises. None of these weekend warriors seem… More A handful of part time soldiers unwittingly turn a field exercise into a miniature war in this offbeat action drama from writer and director Walter Hill. A group of National Guard reservists are sent to Louisiana on a chilly weekend for war games exercises. None of these weekend warriors seem especially happy to be there, especially laid-back Spencer (Keith Carradine), tightly-wound macho man Reece (Fred Ward) and transplanted Texan Hardin (Powers Booth). While making their way through swamp country, the reservists discover their maps are out of date and they've become lost. Rather than march back to camp and start over, they decide to "borrow" several canoes they've found by the banks of the bayou, which should put them back on track. When a Cajun local catches the soldiers stealing his canoes, Stuckey (Lewis Smith) fires a few rounds in his direction; for the purposes of their exercises, the Guardsmen have been given blank shells, so Stuckey imagines this is a harmless way to scare the man off. However, the Cajun soon returns fire -- with real bullets. After Poole (Peter Coyote) is killed by a shotgun blast, the Guardsmen find themselves lost in a place they do not understand, surrounded by angry men determined to drive the unwelcome visitors off their land at all costs. A taut and atmospheric action film which is also serves as an intelligent and evocative metaphor for America's role in the Vietnam war, Southern Comfort also features an excellent score by guitarist (and frequent Walter Hill collaborator) Ry Cooder. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Walter Hill
- Written By
- Walter Hill, Michael Kane
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1981 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Walter Hill gives machismo, and he takes it away
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Fails to deliver all that's promised.
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Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
An atmospheric, tough-as-nails survival tale, and arguably Walter Hill's best movie overall. Well cast with a great Ry Cooder score. Packs a definite wallop.
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Perfectly entertaining gung-ho war flick. Walter Hill knows his action.
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Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Goes down relatively smooth. Pour yourself a glass or three of its namesake, and enjoy!
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Keith Carradine
as Spencer
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Powers Boothe
as Hardin
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Fred Ward
as Reece
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Franklyn Seales
as Simms
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T.K. Carter
as Cribbs
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Lewis Smith
as Stuckey
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Les Lannom
as Casper
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Peter Coyote
as Poole
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Alan Autry
as Bowden
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Brion James
as Trapper
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Sonny Landham
as Hunter
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Ned Dowd
as Hunter
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Rob Ryder
as Hunter
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Marc Savoy
as Cajun Musician
- Alan Lee Graf
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Greg Guirard
as Cajun
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Dewey Balfa
as Cajun Musician