Paramount
has recently released a newly mastered,
letterboxed edition of one of my all time favorites, the one , the only, the
original, Walking Tall. This film was the sleeper hit of 1973,
playing for months (remember when
films would have a long theater run?) and utilizing various ad campaigns to
appeal to every possible audience.. Note the two ad campaigns accompanying this
article; one points to the dramatic qualities of the film; the other its violent content.
There was even a campaign, at the end of the run that played up the aspect of
Buford’s deputy Obra to sell it as a Blaxploitation films!
To summarize for those who may not remember or haven’t had
the chance to view this 70’s classic; Buford Pusser (Joe Don Baker) returns to
his rural southern home with his family to start a new life and leave his
career as a wrestler behind him. He finds that the county isn’t the same: it’s
now overrun with bootleggers, gambling, prostitution and corruption. Rallying locals who are equally disgusted by
these developments, Pusser gets elected sheriff. Soon he and his family and
friends are subject to threats and violent attacks. Pusser finds himself
virtually alone in a seemingly Quixotic battle to maintain law and justice.
Whereas this was a ‘inspired by true life events’ story, the original Bufford
Pusser did act as an advisor throughout the entire production. The film spawned
several sequels and a remake starring The Rock. Sadly, the real life Pusser did
not live to see any of them. He died in a car accident that many consider suspicious
before the first sequel went into production.
Walking Tall is
not a major Hollywood production and benefits greatly in that it was filmed in Tennessee. The movie had been shot full frame with the
intention of being projected in a letterboxed format, masking the top and
bottom. Showings on ABC & TBS (in
heavily edited form), rental prints in 16mm, VHS & Rhino DVD releases have
all utilized a full frame transfer, showing boom mics and lights. The new transfer corrects these flaws. Not
only is the pre-print material in great shape but hides what was certainly not
originally intended to be seen.
Our only regret with this release is that there are no bonus
features, not even a trailer, However, the film’s power makes it a recommended
buy, especially at its very reasonable retail price. Now if only Paramount issues a
complete box set that includes the official sequels…the life & legend of
Bufford Pusser are certainly worth documenting.- Bill Duelly
CLICK HERE TO ORDER THIS DVD FROM THE CINEMA RETRO AMAZON MOVIE STORE