Film Review: Walking Tall (1973)

The phrase "truth is stranger than fiction" is often illustrated by the numerous real-life events that serve as the basis for extraordinary films. One such example is the 1973 film Walking Tall, which is based on the extraordinary biography of Sheriff Buford Pusser, a man who, as the opening titles describe him, became "living legend" for his valiant campaign against organised crime in rural Tennessee during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The film tells the story of Pusser (played by Joe Don Baker), a former wrestler, who returns to his home town of Adamsville, Tennessee with wife Pauline (played by Elizabeth Hartman) in order to start logging business with his father Carl (played by Noah Beery Jr.). Pusser learns that McNairy County during his absence became infamous for gambling, prostitution and other illegal activities, mostly centred around bar named “the Lucky Spot”. While accompanying friend there, Pusser is assaulted by staff, robbed, injured and left for dead. His grievances are ignored by corrupt Sheriff Al Thurman (played by Gene Evans), so he decides to exact his own form of justice using huge club made out of tree branch. He is arrested for that, but not only successfully defends himself at court but runs and win the race for sheriff. He begins cleaning up the county, but the criminals, some politically connected, are do anything in their power to stop him.

Walking Tall was made by Bing Crosby Productions on a very low budget and was shot on location in Chester County, Tennessee, due to the refusal of McNairy County officials to grant filming permits, fearing that this story would put entire county in bad light. Pusser himself was credited as a "technical advisor," which added to the film's authenticity. As with many early 1970s crime films, the plot is full of violent confrontations, with Pusser both using and being a victim of violence. The film also features some nudity and uses tomato juice to mimic blood, adding to its gritty atmosphere.

While the script has fictionalised many of the details of Pusser's law enforcement career, some of the most outrageous events, such as the shooting of a madame played by Rosemary Murphy, are actually based on real-life events. Some critics at the time attacked the film for promoting vigilantism, seeing Pusser's actions as a form of personal revenge rather than a legitimate law enforcement effort. However, the script also tries to show that the producers' heart is in the right place by featuring a black deputy, played by Felton Perry, as Pusser's most loyal friend and trusted ally. The character, whose presence in a film set in South shortly after civil rights struggle was quite significant, is multi-dimensional and believable, serving as more than just a token or symbol.

Director Phil Karlson, who had previously helmed the classic noir film The Phenix City Story (1955), another real life saga about noble protagonist fighting organised crime in Southern town, was a good fit for the project. While there is little "noirish" about this film, which embraces colour and features one-dimensional villains, Karlson manages to make the action and seemingly endless cycle of violence, intimidation, and retribution look anything but repetitive. The two-hour runtime passes relatively quickly, with the ending, which attempts to wrap up the plot in a neat Hollywood fashion, coming across as somewhat melodramatic. The title song, sung by Johnny Mathis, also seems somewhat at odds with the gritty story.

The film's greatest asset is Joe Don Baker, a character actor who usually plays heavies and villains but here gets to play a hero. Baker uses his impressive physique and skills learned at the Actors' Studio to deliver a strong performance, easily overshadowing almost any other member of the cast.

Originally distributed in rural drive-ins, Walking Tall became a major hit through word of mouth, leading to plans for sequels in which Pusser would ultimately play himself. However, Pusser died in a car accident, and instead, his character was played by Bo Svenson in two sequels. Pusser's story was retold in a 1978 television biopic, A Real American Hero, starring Brian Dennehy, and he was the protagonist of a short-lived TV series starring Bo Svenson. In 2004, Walking Tall was remade into an eponymous film with a new character played by Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson, with only a passing resemblance to Pusser. The remake received two direct-to-DVD sequels.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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