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Bo Hopkins, Burt Reynolds, Conlan Carter

One of the best Burt Reynolds "rednecks and cars" movies, White Lightning serves up some great auto chases through a sweaty, dirt-poor Southern atmosphere. Reynolds is a good ol' boy who runs moonshin...( read more  read more... )e and squares off against his nemesis, a sheriff (Ned Beatty) who has as little regard for the law as Burt does. A must-see for 1970s film buffs or action fans.

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60% liked it

1,249 ratings

PG, 101 min.

Directed by: Joseph Sargent

Release Date: January 1, 1973

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DVD Release Date: July 15, 2003

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Stats: 76 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (76)

  • jaynyca1
    March 22, 2009
    jaynyca1
    I've always have liked this movie!. . . The car chase scenes are great and I liked Burt Reynolds in this movie and Ned Beatty was pretty good, also. . .
  • dockerys350z
    September 21, 2009
    dockerys350z
    It is a fun movie, will remind you of Smokie and the Bandit.
  • Quartermilestang
    August 10, 2009
    Quartermilestang
    Not as good as as I remember
  • cancercapricorn2002
    September 3, 2008
    cancercapricorn2002
    White Lightning is a terrific action/drama that tells the story of a hard-driving moonshiner named Gator McKlusky (Burt Reynolds) who is released from prison early in exchange for any help he can give the government with its case against his fellow moonshiners. Gator, however, ha...( read more)s his own agenda and it has nothing to do with his altruistic nature. It seems that Sheriff J.C. Connors (Ned Beatty) of Bogen County is not only one of the biggest moonshiners in Arkansas, he's also responsible for killing Gator's brother. And Gator wants revenge.

    One of the coolest things about White Lightning is that it presents Burt Reynolds as an actor at the top of his game. This was a Burt Reynolds who seemed to actually care about the final product and not just yucking it up with his buddies on screen. White Lightning was made before Burt became a clown, mugging for the camera. That's not to say there isn't any humor in White Lightning ? it's just used judiciously. Burt is joined by phenomenal cast. In addition to Ned Beatty (who's perfect as the Sheriff), R.G. Armstrong, Bo Hopkins, Diane Lane, and Dabbs Greer give solid, memorable performances. In fact, I can't think of a single actor that bothered me. The movie was helped tremendously by the decision to film in rural Arkansas. I lived in the South all my life and everything from the locations to the sweat dripping off Burt's chin had a feeling of authenticity. It all felt real to me. Finally, the plot is just terrific, mixing in just the right amount of high speed car chases, brutal looking fight scenes, and dramatic conversations. It drew me in right from the start and held my attention throughout. Overall, it's a well-made, entertaining movie.
  • asche1959
    January 25, 2008
    asche1959
    A recent parolee (Reynolds) goes under cover for the feds after learning that his brother has died at the hans of a corrupt southern sheriff. His cover is what got him into prison in the first place, the selling and transporting of home made booze across state lines. This is the ...( read more)original film of this genre.
  • Blaxunshine
    December 20, 2007
    Blaxunshine
    Good ole boy Reynolds in return of having time shave off his sentence tries to break up a moonshine ring because Uncle Sam wants his tax money. A heavy influence on the Dukes of Hazard White Lightning is a lean machine. One of Burt's top 3 best
  • myfavchords
    August 7, 2007
    myfavchords
    This is a fun film. This movie is great if you are in the mood to watch something light.
  • crew957
    March 25, 2007
    crew957
    the only Gator I will ever love!
  • brianpark08
    December 10, 2006
    brianpark08
    Waste of TIME!! Very Weak movie, DO NOT WATCH, if you do end up watching it, side effects may include: Suicide, murder ramapages, road ramapage, any kinds of ways of harming yourself, and many others...

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  • We learn in 1994's 'Major League II' that Cleveland Indian Willie Mays Hayes (Omar Epps) has starred in an action film, 'Black Hammer, White Lightning,' in the off-season. What real-life 'athlete' turned actor was Willie's co-star?   Answer »
  • The first movie that was shown in the White House was 'Birth of a Nation'. President Wilson comments on the film: "it is like writing history with lightning". The film is a tribute to...  Answer »
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