Review of Macon County Line (1974) by Allan C — 18 Mar 2018

After watching this classic Hixploitation/Rednexploitation film, I was shocked to realize I'd never seen this drive-in classic before. I must have confused it with some other rural themed exploitation film like "Jackson County Jail" or "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry" or something else.

The story here follows two likable brothers who are hunted by a vengeful southern sheriff who wrongfully believes they murdered his wife. The only real actor of note in the film is Max Baer Jr. as a deputy sheriff, who's best known for playing dimwitted Jethro Bodine on "The Beverly Hillbillies," and is the only thing I can remember seeing him in, so it came as a surprise how good he was in this film.

Baer also co-wrote the film with director Richard Compton, who'd previously directed the the excellent biker film (my favorite disreputable exploitation film sub-genre) "Angels Die Hard" and who would later direct quite a few episodes of "Miami Vice" and "The Equalizer.

" It's a tough little story that's filled with lots of southern flavor and plenty of exploitation film charms (i.e. sex, violence, good 'ol boys, fast cars, injustice, etc.). Top all that off with a young James Gammon in a bit part and Geoffrey Lewis as a dullard mechanic named Hamp and you've got a must-see film for Hixploitation fans!