( Story is about a man freed from gaol seeking revenge on the Sherriff who killed his brother)
This is a lot grittier than the serving's of Burt's fayre I am used to. White lighting feels older, there is a rawness and a meanness to this film. The opening scene is men being drowned- almost sacrificed to a lake. People are stopping off at wooden shacks, there are pigs and hens running freely. The bootleggers are still a concern- hell the plot revolves arround Burt turning federal evidence to catch bootleggers
The corrupt sherriff notes his staff cannot buy a washing machine or a dryer- He sends his aging secretary out of the office-before he turns the air blue . everyone smokes and cigarettes are easily and freely given. Gator's father hopes his son, will help him. People recognise Gator's surname and see his kinship
There is a home of unmarried young mothers- all beautiful, all young.
There will be a lot of this smoothed down, sanded and retooled into the Dukes of Hazard and the Bandit movies.. but not today. There is a mention of a rum runner's car being painted with the Stars and Bars
The sherriffs boys are a bit free and easy with the women folk.
Burt is different- he is clean shaven and his Gator is a man who is constantly losing his temper. He captivates women. He tries to charm the aging secretary of the Sherriff and comes on too strong.
Did Ned Beatty ever look young?
I am glad I watched this, I won't rewatch this. There is a uncanny valley feeling here- it is Burt but not yet as we know him
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