Redundant and unnecessary.

Load of rubbish!!

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Last Friday night, I was all relaxed and settled down to watch a straightforward and undemanding 70's hillbilly car-chasing movie! And guess what; - that's also exactly what I got with Joseph Sargent's "White Lightning"! So that means that I should be really satisfied, right? Well, only partially, because for some reason this film continuously raises the impression that it easily could have been a lot more than just a long series of virulent chase sequences and Burt Reynolds showing off his womanizing skills. Usually this kind of cinema simply revolves around a charismatic thug bootlegging illegal booze and outsmarting the dim-witted redneck sheriff of a small Southern community, but there's actually a lot more depth and intelligence hidden in the screenplay of "White Lighting". Particularly the character of Sheriff J.C. Connors (and the terrifically sober and integer performance by Ned Beatty) easily could have uplifted the status of this film to a more respectable level. The Sheriff is a totally corrupt and vicious bully who controls the moonshine ring himself and also doesn't hesitate to cruelly execute long-haired hippie protesters in the forsaken swamps of his Arkansas County. When the Sheriff drowns the younger brother of Gator McKlusky, Gator closes a deal with some federal agents that release him from prison in order to pick up his bootlegging business undercover and bring down Connors. But Gator – rebellious bastard that he is – obviously cares more about extracting his personal revenge. The opening sequences in the swamp are grim and atmospheric, but with the introduction of Reynolds' character everything quickly turns into a light-headed and prototypic Southern car chase. Some of the most potentially fascinating supportive characters, like primarily Sheriff Connors but also the liquor-smuggling locals Big Bear and Roy Boone, sadly remain underdeveloped and on the background. But hey, as I stated at the beginning of this review: "White Lightning" nevertheless stays an utmost fun and exhilarating little flick. The Southern filming locations are splendid, and so are the soundtrack and ensemble cast. Joseph Sargent ("The Taking of Pelham 123", "Nightmares") assures a steady direction, while Hal Needham is credited as his second unit director. Needham would go on making car movies starring Burt Reynolds that are far more legendary (but not necessarily better) than this one, like "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Cannonball Run".

Imagine sitting down to watch one of them good ol' boys pitcher shows from the Deep South, with Burt Reynolds a'grinnin' and a'fightin' . . .And finding out that, despite some quibbling errors, Joe Sargent's White Lightning is a small joy, a movie that has more than enough good performance, bite, and raw anger to raise it above the redneckery that Reynolds descended into as his career morphed into a cartoon.What makes White Lightning work is that Reynolds isn't cute and Ned Beatty, as his adversary, a thoroughly corrupted county sheriff, isn't a bufoon. Beatty is in no small part what makes the movie work--his rant against those who would take his little empire away from him (Washington bureaucrats, commie college students, colored agitators) doesn't make him likable, just believable.Plus, the movie looks good. It's grimy and sweaty; you can feel the heat coming off the engine blocks of the Ford Galaxie 500s. All the characters ooze perspiration in White Lightning; clear drops of sweat that seem interchangeable with the liquor being brewed and sold by everybody and his cousin.Arkansas looks unbearably hot and humid, angry and nasty.Just like Reynolds and Beatty.

Gator McKlusky who's serving time in an Arkansas prison, finds out his younger brother is murdered by the corrupt town Sheriff J.C Connors. Wanting revenge, he agrees with the terms of going undercover as a moonshine runner for the feds and informing them of any important information to put away Connors. However it's Gator's personal quest of his brother's death, which pushes him to test the boundaries and power that Connors owns.Quite likable, and truly a thick southern slice of crudely good ol' fun and rousing mishaps. Burt Reynolds' charismatic appeal was specially made for the part, and along side him is a terrifically well-served cast including the despicable Ned Betty, glorious Jennifer Billingsley, amusing Bo Hopkins, twitchy Matt Clark, live wire Diane Ladd and a rigid R.G Armstrong. Splendid line-up, but Reynolds was the real scene-stealer. The story might be a simple revenge tale with some currents involving racism and narrow-mindlessness, but it's a exhilarating pot boiler that's neatly drawn up with plenty of flesh hanging off it, and its zips onto one scene after another with burning conviction. Look out for an enjoyable reference to Don Siegel/Clint Eastwood's southern thriller "The Beguiled (1971)". The authenticity of the sweaty southern setting is beautifully captured with Edward Rosson's sharp photography doing the trick. Be it during the quiet moments, or the well-engineered, gut-busting brawls and blistering car chases. Even Charles Bernstein's wonderfully flavoured and titillating music arrangement dominates and goes a long way to cementing the film's potent personality. Director Joseph Sargent rapidly, rough n' tumble style, goes down well the tautly wry script and delivers the action with the right intensity. Amongst the tough suspense and sweet fooling, there are some genuinely moving scenes. Always compelling, and one of Reynolds best performances.

This was my first Burt Reynolds movie and it was one of the best. Burt Reynolds plays the role of Gator McKlusky, Jennifer Billingsley plays the role of Lou, and Ned Beatty plays the role of Sheriff Conners. Gator is in an Arkansas prison serving time for running moonshine whiskey. While in prison Gator learns that his little brother was ******** by the ruthless Sheriff J.C. Conners. Therefore, Gator gets a pardon as along as he agrees to join up with the feds in order to put Sheriff Conners out of business for good. With adrenaline pumping car chasers, bone crushing brawls and terrific acting made this one of the best action films in it's time. based on the action alone of give this movie 8 weasel stars because there was no gorgeous actress in this picture.