Review of Southern Comfort (1981) by Carlos I — 25 Jul 2016

Walter Hill is an extremely talented director of straightforward, no nonsense action films. "Southern Comfort" is a great example of this, if not really one of his best overall films. A group of Louisiana National Guard participating in weekend maneuvers run afoul of local Cajuns and are systematically hunted down.

Somewhat inspired by "Deliverance", the film is a clear and direct metaphor for the Vietnam War. Perhaps a bit too clear and direct because it has very little to say beyond the surface of the metaphor.

It's a wonderfully executed genre piece though with a superb cast that includes Keith Carradine, Powers Boothe, Fred Ward and Peter Coyote. Well worth a look and a good way to dip into Hill's output.