Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- gritty
- confrontational
- sardonic
- 1970s movie night
- gritty action marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly recognized the film’s accomplished manipulation of audience emotion, shrewd plotting, pacing, and strong performances despite its sensational violence and clichés.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film dramatizes Buford Pusser’s career as a sheriff confronting gambling interests and gangsters in southwest Tennessee.
Buford Pusser turns from ordinary sheriff into an intensely physical crusader against local corruption.
Its Tennessee setting, populist law-and-order premise, and extreme violence helped establish the 1970s southploitation tradition.
The film is repeatedly characterized by its hugely violent, revenge-fantasy presentation and sensational pacing.
Films like Walking Tall, and why
The Organization
shared vigilante crime drama, rural corruption, and hard-edged 1970s action
The Legend of Billie Jean
shared biographical crime storytelling, vigilantism, and gritty Americana
White Lightning
shared southern exploitation energy, corrupt local power structures, and revenge-driven action
Movie Details
- Director
- Phil Karlson
- Release Date
- 1973-02-22
- Runtime
- 125 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (151)
Cast
- Joe Don Baker
- Elizabeth Hartman
- Gene Evans
- Noah Beery Jr.
- Brenda Benet
- John Brascia
- Bruce Glover
- Arch Johnson
- Felton Perry
- Richard X. Slattery
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Walking Tall about?
- A determined Tennessee sheriff wages a brutally personal campaign against the gamblers and gangsters corrupting his small town.
- What is Walking Tall like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Walking Tall as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Walking Tall violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Walking Tall as graphic.
- What did critics think of Walking Tall?
- Critics broadly recognized the film’s accomplished manipulation of audience emotion, shrewd plotting, pacing, and strong performances despite its sensational violence and clichés.
- Which films are like Walking Tall?
- Films with a similar feel include The Organization, The Legend of Billie Jean, and White Lightning.
- How long is Walking Tall?
- Walking Tall runs 125 minutes.
- Where can I watch Walking Tall?
- In United States, Walking Tall is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
