Gator Collection

Burt Reynolds

Jennifer Billingsley

Ned Beatty

Bo Hopkins

Matt Clark

Louise Latham

Diane Ladd

R.G. Armstrong

Conlan Carter

Dabbs Greer

Lincoln Demyan

John Steadman

Iris Korn

Stephanie Burchfield

Barbara Müller

Robert Ginnaven

Fay Martin

Richard Allin

Bill Bond

Sherry Boucher

Glenn R. Wilder

Dick Ziker

Buddy Joe Hooker

Cathy Finley

Laura Dern

Bob Meriwether

Charles Bernstein

Ross Brown

George Jay Nicholson

Arthur Gardner

Jules V. Levy

Edward Rosson

Joseph Sargent

William W. Norton

Eric Gorder

Marvin Kerner

Marlene Kolstad

Michael Butler

Hal Needham

Tom Fairbanks

Donald F. Johnson

Hal Watkins

Craig Binkley

John Isaacs

Edmond L. Koons

Tom Ellingwood

Edward Teets

Cliff Wenger

Arnold Laven

Elliot Schick

Mel Efros

Kenneth Schwarz

Jack L. Richards

Julian Wilson

Gary Van Auken

Hank Nesel

Walter Nichols

Ed Nielsen

Paul Vombrack

Jean Gingerich

Paul Casella Jr.

Teresa Stokovic

James Womack

Phil Segura

Richard Nash

Howard A. Small

Ken Mazawa

Joseph Viveros

Frank Tureen

Jerry F. Johnson

John Caper Jr.

Natalie Drache

Lonnie Stewart

John Lipow

Drama

Action

Crime

White Lightning

Levy-Gardner-Laven

United Artists

United States of America

***Southern Gothic with Burt Reynolds and action***

A moonshiner on a prison farm in Arkansas, Gator McKlusky (Burt Reynolds), gets released early under the condition that he helps the Feds break a moonshining ring backed by a corrupt Sheriff (Ned Beatty), who also happens to be the murderer of Gator’s little brother.   

“White Lightning” (1973) is a Deep South crime drama/thriller that mixes “Deliverance” (1972) with Peck’s “I Walk the Line” (1970), adding elements of “Bullitt” (1968) and the early Dirty Harry flicks. “Smokey and the Bandit” (1977) took the basic idea and satirized it. 

The creators really captured the early 70’s Deep South with loads of sweat and believable characters played by Beatty, Bo Hopkins, Jennifer Billingsley, Matt Clark and R.G. Armstrong. “Walking Tall” (1973) is a good comparison.    

The film runs 1 hour, 41 minutes, and was shot in Benton, Arkansas, and nearby parts (Keo, Scott, Little Rock, Wrightsville & Alexander).

GRADE: B

Has some okay car chases/stunt work and Burt Reynolds is charming as usual, but the story never really clicked for me and I found my mind lingering. Personally I prefer spending that time watching Smokey and the Bandit again. Next I'll be checking out the sequel, Gator. **3.0/5**