Review of White Lightning (1973) by Shawn F — 10 Sep 2008

I love this early Burt Reynolds movie for so many reasons. The southern setting, moonshine, rednecks, cool cars, R.G. Armstrong, Ned Beatty and ,of course, for Burt. This is a more serious Burt before he became known for much lighter fare and before the mustache.

I don't think he has ever been more studly than in this picture. He plays a moonshine runner who is doing time and is given an early release if he helps get some dirt on a corrupt sheriff played very well by Ned Beatty.

He has an extra incentive in this matter because Ned is responsible for his younger brothers death. The film is also topical for the time as it deals with the rise of counter-culture (hippies) and the southern reaction to this.

I highly recommend this film if you are a fan of any of the things I mentioned above. One further note here: Hal Needham who would go on to direct Burt in Smokey and the Bandit and a few other films was the second unit director on this film.