Is Walking Tall based on a true story?
Sheriff Buford Pusser And The True Story Of "Walking Tall" The Cold-Blooded Revenge Of Buford Pusser When his wife was killed, Buford Pusser went from a cop hell-bent on fighting crime to a man hell-bent on avenging his wife's death. Bettmann/Getty Images Buford Pusser in 1973.
Is the Walking Tall series a classic?
The sequel was filmed using Swedish actor Bo Swensen, and a Final Chapter triquel told of Pussers' demise. While the Walking Tall franchise will never be on any list of Classic Film, the original is a great slice of Americana, Circa '70s.
Is there a Walking Tall Part 2?
The original Walking Tall was a hit, but the sequels, Walking Tall Part 2 (September 28, 1975), and Walking Tall: Final Chapter (August 10, 1977), both starring Bo Svenson, were far less profitable. On December 9, 1978, CBS aired A Real American Hero, with Brian Dennehy as Buford Pusser.
What are the reviews of Walking Tall On Metacritic?
On Metacritic, it has a score of 60% based on reviews from seven critics. Andrew Sarris of The Village Voice wrote: "Like it or not, Walking Tall is saying something very important to many people, and it is saying it with accomplished artistry.
Is Walking Tall movie based on a true story?
Back in 1973, no one expected “Walking Tall” to be a hit. It was a stripped-down, ultra-violent revenge drama, based on the true story of Buford Pusser, the crusading Tennessee sheriff who defended justice swinging a serious piece of lumber.
What town was Walking Tall based on?
Oh, and where are all the mountains and the town of Ferguson? The new "Walking Tall" is set in Ferguson, a fictional Kitsap County town in the Washington Cascades. The movie was actually shot in mountainous parts of British Columbia.
Is Buford Pusser a real person?
Buford Hayse Pusser (December 12, 1937 – August 21, 1974) was the sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee, from 1964 to 1970, and constable of Adamsville from 1970 to 1972. Pusser is known for his virtual one-man war on moonshining, prostitution, gambling, and other vices along the Mississippi–Tennessee state line.
What is the movie Walking Tall about?
Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser (Joe Don Baker) carries a big stick after thugs beat him up and kill his wife (Elizabeth Hartman).Walking Tall / Film synopsis
Where was Walking Tall filmed in BC?
SquamishJohnson's character's name was now Chris Vaughn, the sheriff is trying to stop the selling of illegal drugs instead of illegal moonshine, and the film's setting became semirural Kitsap County, Washington, although it was filmed in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada.
What year was Buford Pussers Corvette?
Pusser died in a car wreck on August 21, 1974. He was driving a 1974 Chevrolet Corvette. The circumstances of the wreck have always been questioned as to whether or not tampering had been involved to help promote his having a crash.
Who was towhead white?
The #1 bad guy is The State-Line Mob's leader, Carl Douglas “Towhead” White (1936-1969). Towhead's immodest goal was to become “The Al Capone of the South.” If he didn't attain Capone's infamy, he still left a trail of crime in his wake. Almost as entertaining is Louise Hathcock (1919-1966).
Who was the real Walking Tall?
Buford Pusser“Buford Pusser was only 26 when his name was etched in history,” sang Eddie Bond, a rockabilly artist, in the tribute song “The Young Sheriff.” The Tennessean folk hero inspired the 1973 film Walking Tall and its depiction of a lone sheriff single-handedly waging war against the criminal underbelly of a small town.
What happened to Dwana Pusser Garrison?
The daughter of famed “Walking Tall” Sheriff Buford Pusser has died, officials confirmed Thursday morning. Dwana Pusser lived in Adamsville, Tennessee, and was heavily involved in the Sheriff Buford Pusser Festival.
What does Walking Tall mean?
proud and confidentDefinition of walk tall : to walk or behave in a way that shows one feels proud and confident After that winning performance, she can once again walk tall.
Is Walking Tall The Payback a sequel?
Walking Tall: Lone JusticeWalking Tall: The Payback / Sequel
What movie did the rock play a cop?
Johnson has done more than one cop comedy where his cameo amounts to little more than a joke (see also: "Reno 911!: Miami"), but his appearance in Adam McKay's smart and subversive "The Other Guys" is a particular treat. Johnson appears as the heroic action movie ideal of law enforcement, opposite Samuel L.
How much did Walking Tall make?
Walking Tall was a box-office smash. Produced on a budget of $500,000, the film grossed over $40 million, earning $10 million in theatrical rentals in the United States and Canada. The film played in rural areas before moving to larger cities, starting off slowly, but becoming a success through word-of-mouth.
When was Walking Tall remade?
For the 2004 remake, see Walking Tall (2004 film).
Who is the actor who played Buford Pusser in Walking Tall?
Walking Tall is a 1973 American semibiographical action film of Sheriff Buford Pusser, a professional wrestler-turned-lawman in McNairy County, Tennessee, played by Joe Don Baker. The film was directed by Phil Karlson. Based on Pusser's life, it has become a cult film with two direct sequels of its own, a TV movie, a brief TV series, and a remake that had its own two sequels.
Is Walking Tall based on real life?
The film is set in 1967 and focused on real-life Sheriff Buford Pusser, who goes after a criminal who has killed young people with his illegal moonshine . Main article: Walking Tall (2004 film) In 2004, a remake starring professional wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was made.
Storyline
A surprise hit when it premiered, Walking Tall carried the theme of one man standing up for his sense of right and wrong. Selmer, a small town in southwest Tennessee, served as the authentic background for the bio-pic of the heroic southern Sheriff. Joe Don Baker did an admirable job with the role, and the hugely violent film was a surprise hit.
Did you know
The elected officials of McNairy County, Tennessee, the setting of the movie, were so embarrassed by the national attention brought to the corrupt county that they refused to allow the movie to be shot there. It was consequently shot in neighboring Chester County.
User reviews 58
Yes Virginia there really was a man named Buford Pusser. He was a south Tennessee sheriff who was shot 8 times, knifed 7 times, survived a ambush, and even jumped onto a speeding car to make a arrest.
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By what name was Walking Tall (1973) officially released in India in English?
Storyline
The hard-boiled former U.S. Special Forces veteran and decorated sergeant, Chris Vaughn, is in for a rude awakening, as his peaceful hometown has changed radically.
Did you know
At the beginning when Chris Vaughn asks the sheriff what happened to the former sheriff it is said that the guy was a great man but they found one day he had mysteriously skidded off a deserted road and died hitting a tree. This is a reference to how the real Buford Pusser died.
What is the high strangeness of Walking Tall?
The High Strangeness of the Original Walking Tall Trilogy. The life of Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser spawned what may be the most unexpectedly weird franchise ever . In the early 1970s, the NBC affiliate in Green Bay, Wisconsin, WFRV, offered a program called The Early Show, which broadcast uncut films every weekday afternoon between 3:30 and 5:30.
When did Walking Tall 2 come out?
The sequel hit theaters in 1975 .
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Overview
Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics and audience. Based on 136 reviews collected by the film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 26% of critics gave Walking Tall a positive review, with an average rating of 5.4/10, with the critics consensus: "The Rock makes a competent hero, but the movie is content to let a 2×4 do all the talking." Metacritic gave the film a score of 44 based on 31 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
Plot
Honorably discharged U.S. Army Special Forces sergeant Chris Vaughn returns to his small home town in Kitsap County, Washington after a series of combat deployments. Looking for work, he finds the local cedar mill was closed down three years prior by its heir, Jay Hamilton, who opened a new casino that now accounts for the majority of revenue for the local area. Hamilton, who was also Chris's school friend, invites him to a night of fun at the casino. While checking out the VIP l…
Cast
• Dwayne Johnson (credited as The Rock) as Christopher "Chris" Vaughn, Jr.
• Johnny Knoxville as Ray Templeton
• Neal McDonough as Jay Hamilton
• Michael Bowen as Sheriff Stan Watkins
Sequel
Walking Tall: The Payback and Walking Tall: Lone Justice are two direct-to-video sequels that have been released starring Kevin Sorbo.
See also
• Vigilante film
External links
• Official website
• Walking Tall at IMDb
• Walking Tall at the TCM Movie Database
• Walking Tall at AllMovie
Overview
Walking Tall is a 1973 American biographical vigilante action drama film of Sheriff Buford Pusser, a professional wrestler-turned-lawman in McNairy County, Tennessee, played by Joe Don Baker. The film was directed by Phil Karlson. Based on Pusser's life, it has become a cult film with two direct sequels of its own, a TV movie, a brief TV series, and a remake that had its own two sequels.
Plot
Buford Pusser, at his wife Pauline's behest, retires from the professional wrestling ring, and moves back to Tennessee to start a logging business with his father, Carl Pusser. With a friend, he visits a gambling and prostitution establishment, the Lucky Spot, and is beaten up after catching the house cheating at craps. Pusser is seriously injured with a knife, and receives over 200 stitches. He complains to the sheriff, but is ignored, and soon becomes aware of the rampant corruption i…
Cast
• Joe Don Baker as Sheriff Buford Pusser
• Elizabeth Hartman as Pauline Pusser
• Lurene Tuttle as Helen Pusser
• Noah Beery, Jr. as Carl Pusser
Reception
Walking Tall was a box-office smash. Produced on a budget of $500,000, the film grossed over $40 million, earning $10 million in theatrical rentals in the United States and Canada. The film played in rural areas before moving to larger cities, starting off slowly, but becoming a success through word-of-mouth.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 75% based on reviews from 12 critics. On
Sequels
The original Walking Tall was a hit, but the sequels, Walking Tall Part 2 (September 28, 1975), and Walking Tall: Final Chapter (August 10, 1977), both starring Bo Svenson, were far less profitable.
Remake
On December 9, 1978, CBS aired a television movie titled A Real American Hero: Buford Pusser, starring Brian Dennehy as the title character. The film is set in 1967 and focused on real-life Sheriff Buford Pusser, who goes after a criminal who has killed young people with his illegal moonshine.
In 2004, a remake starring professional wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was made. Althoug…
See also
• List of American films of 1973
• Vigilante film
External links
• Walking Tall at IMDb
• Walking Tall at AllMovie
• Walking Tall at the TCM Movie Database
• Walking Tall at the American Film Institute Catalog
Discovery
Death
- Suddenly the occupants opened fire on the Pussers car, killing Pauline and wounding Pusser. Struck by two rounds on the left side of his jaw, Pusser was left for dead. It took him 18 days and several surgeries to recover, but he finally pulled through.
Story
- As he returned home with his mangled jaw and no wife, he had only one thing on his mind revenge. Buford Pusser vowed then that before he died, he would bring everyone who killed his wife to justice if it was the last thing he did.
Personal life
- Before he was a revenge-driven widower, Buford Pusser was quite a respectable man. Hed been born and raised in McNairy County, Tenn., playing basketball and football in high school, two things he excelled at due to his 6-foot 6-inch height. After high school, he joined the Marine Corps, though was eventually medically discharged due to his asthma. Then, he moved to Chicago and …
Crime
- As soon as he was elected, Buford Pusser threw himself into his work. He first turned his attention to the Dixie Mafia and the State Line Mob, two gangs that operated on the line between Tennessee and Mississippi and made thousands of dollars off of the illegal sale of moonshine.
Later life
- Nix later found himself in prison for a separate murder and was eventually sentenced to isolation for the rest of his life. Though Pusser would have considered Nixs isolation justice served, he never got to see it happen. In 1974, he was killed in a car accident. On his way home from the local county fair, he hit an embankment and was killed after being ejected from the car.
Aftermath
- Both Buford Pussers daughter and mother believed that he had been murdered, as Nix had been able to order several unrelated hits from prison. However, the claims were never investigated. It seemed, that Pussers long fight for justice was finally over.
Legacy
- Today, a memorial stands in McNairy County in the house that Buford Pusser grew up in. Several movies called Walking Tall have been made about his life that depict the man who cleaned up a town, got caught in the middle of an assassination attempt, and spent the rest of his life hell-bent on vengeance for those who had hurt his family.