Macon County Line (1974)

The greatest drive-in film of all time finally re-released on DVD!!

A great big thank you to Warner Video for re-releasing Macon County Line on DVD. I sorely lamented missing the last DVD release, which resulted in having nothing to choose from but some very expensive even used copies floating around once the title was out-of-print or poor quality bootleg copies. I recommend grabbing this release while you can. Max Baer hit on a goldmine with the totally unexpected smash success of the film in 1974. This was especially amazing when you consider that it mainly played on the drive-in circuit during the initial release. Those who only know Max Baer as Jethro Bodine on The Beverly Hillbillies will be in for a great surprise at the vast difference from that comical character and the character he portrays in Macon County Line. The theme song was sung by the lovely Bobbie Gentry of Ode to Billy Joe fame. The only thing that could maybe be better than having this classic film available once again on DVD would be to have the chance to watch it under the stars at a drive-in on a warm summer night. Don't miss it!! But a little bit surprised that this DVD release has no extras at all, not even the original trailer. Why?? May 16, 2008

Can it get any better?

I fell in love with this 1974 movie and finally found a DVD release of it some years ago. Since another release of it is May 6, 2008, I'm wondering if there are any extras on this one that would make me buy it also? Maybe audio commentary, deleted scenes, interviews, etc.
Unless there are, it couldn't be any better than the original! April 16, 2008

Another Great Redneck Roughie

After the massive success of Easy Rider in 1969, several sub-genres in film were spawned. You had Biker Films, Hippie/Drug Films and Redneck Roughies. Redneck Roughies were low budget films that took place in the South consisting of car chases, shootouts, rough language and some nudity. Walking Tall is considered one of the top guns in this sub-genre with Macon County Line sitting about redneck-and-redneck with it. In fact, both films share a common actor, a pre-teen idol Leif Garrett.

Max Baer, Jr. of Beverly Hillbillies fame attempts to shake off his Jethro Bodine luggage he'd been carrying around since the series cancellation and just about succeeds. As writer, producer and star, he does a good job coming up with a script with a great twist ending. His portrayal of the friendly but bigoted small town sherriff has such depth that you almost forget it's Jethro!

The rest of the cast is just as good, the Vint brothers play the happy-go-lucky (maybe not so lucky here) brothers with gusto as well as Joan Blackman as the sassy hitch hiker they pick up. The 2 actors (who's names I can't remember) that play the twisted drifters really unnerve you. Then there's the sherriff's deputy that really chews up the screen in an interrogation scene that will have you gripping the armchair.

The story is bascally about being at the wrong place at the wrong time with a startling revelation at the end. Baer had end notes tacked on that give you the impression that this is a true story, but from what I've read this is not true. But true or not, it's still a well written story.

Best of my knowledge Baer did only one follow up, the kinder and gentler Redneck Roughie Ode To Billy Jo based on the hit song by Bobbi Gentry. Still, old Max managed to crank out a low budget film that still holds up well today. A definitive classic Redneck Roughie for anybody who likes their films cheap, gritty and intensely well done. March 23, 2008

Macon County Line

When I received the DVD I could hear the DVD moving around within the case. I am worried that the DVD is scratched or damaged in some way. The DVD was a gift for my father. He opened it a few days ago. I am waiting to hear from him if the DVD was scratched or damaged in any way. All of my other DVD's that I received appeared to be in good shape. February 26, 2006

Not for the squeamish

Max Baer's friendly fascist is one reason, but not the only one, to catch this disturbing 1974 film. In fact, Baer's smiling, upright sheriff seems a blood brother in some twisted sense to Mayberry's Andy Griffith. Based on fact, the movie portrays the misadventures of real-life brothers Alan and Jesse Vint, as they frolic through the 1950's South on their way to a date with the Army. Bad luck and Sheriff Baer however turn their joyride into a nightmare that finally ends in tragedy. The last scenes are a suspense-filled stunner. This is Baer's production and he uses it to observe the effects of gun culture, brutality, and race prejudice in fairly subtle fashion. Except for Geoffrey Lewis's overdone station attendant, the acting is first rate, with Joan Blackman a long way from her frothy Elvis movies. Special recognition should go to the casting of the two southern lowlifes who are the most convincing and sinister drifters I've seen, and are guaranteed to put chills up the spine. At times the script seems too deliberate, as though there are explanations for everything. Still, this is a first-rate thriller that deserves its cult status, and is ultimately a long, long way from the bucholic ideal of Sheriff Andy's Mayberry. June 2, 2001

More reviews at Amazon.com ...