Walking Tall poster & wallpaper

Arch Johnson, Brenda Benet, Bruce Glover

Weirdly marketed as a right-wing screed upon its initial release in 1973, Walking Tall is really a tragic, shockingly violent post-noir film based on various legends surrounding real-life South...( read more  read more... )ern sheriff Buford Pusser. Joe Don Baker (The Natural) gives a powerful performance as Pusser, who took on determined forces of crime and corruption in his town at great personal expense. Directed with an intentionally crude force by Phil Karlson (Kansas City Confidential), one of the toughest filmmakers of the 1950s, the film's grimness does not let up, but in the end it is more likely to break hearts than turn stomachs. --Tom Keogh

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76% liked it

5,853 ratings

R, 126 min.

Directed by: Phil Karlson

Release Date: February 22, 1973

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DVD Release Date: July 21, 1998

Stats: 186 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (186)

  • bradwest
    January 1, 2009
    bradwest
    Has that gritty 70's thing going for it. Tough to watch in places even with the cheesy blood.
  • Collegekid
    February 22, 2007
    Collegekid
    Much better than The Rock's remake version.
  • patrickdol
    February 12, 2008
    patrickdol
    Southern-fried justice, holding a big stick.
    This film was a delicious slice of Americana kick-ass and Joe Don Baker is amazingly effective as the human embodiment of a Timex watch, playing a real dude Bufford Pusser.
    Although this film is longish, it doesn't drag and it is jam...( read more) packed with content and doesn't really loose momentum as it barrels down a hill made of Buford's desire to take the law into his own hands. AND it has a car chase, with a pick-up and a squad car, how great is that.
    There are some glaring political incorrectness that borders on offensive but it comes with the time as this film's era sticks out like a me at a hip-hop.
    Although the filmmaking was intentionally crude you can see the boom mic peeks into shots and hang out more times than you can count.
    That being said it's a classic. See this and for get about Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Sorbo, their films don't even have Bufford Pusser, and he's some kind of guy.
  • tonyp32113
    May 25, 2009
    tonyp32113
    The original and by far the best one
  • wyatte53
    March 13, 2009
    wyatte53
    this is much better than the rock's remake.
    it is the true story of a small town sheriff fighting the good old boy gang that is ruining his town.

    there is no comedy thrown in here to gain some viewers. it is violent and messy.

    of course it's 1973 so it's a little cheesy....( read more)

    this was actor joe don baker's only claim to fame. this was a huge hit in 1973.
  • horrormoviefan
    January 28, 2009
    horrormoviefan
    Great story of this heroic Tennessee sheriff
  • alienun711
    December 26, 2008
    alienun711
    joe don baker
    leif garrett







    joe don baker

    leif garrett
  • xxxcli213xxx
    December 10, 2008
    xxxcli213xxx
    no thanks not my kinda thing
  • TxJethro
    October 13, 2008
    TxJethro
    Excellent movie. Not completely fact based, but the inaccuracies are minimal. Like the age of the kids at the time and such. Overall a MUST SEE ! I believe Buford is the inspiration for The Shield and all the ones like it.
  • Blaxunshine
    September 10, 2008
    Blaxunshine
    Walk softly and carry a big stick. Man some of those beatings look painful especially the ones across the jaw. Don't understand how there are two sequels to this when Buford Pusser dies @ the end of this one

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Walking Tall Trivia

  • Which of these movie has Eddie Murphy not been a part of...  Answer »
  • What movie starred The Rock and Johnny Knoxville?  Answer »
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