Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- gritty
- confrontational
- irreverent
- 1970s action movie night
- burt reynolds double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly found Burt Reynolds and the supporting cast compelling within a believable southern crime world, though uneven storytelling, incidental material, and excessive car chases weakened the film.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Gator is compelled to help federal agents dismantle a moonshine operation controlled by a corrupt sheriff.
The moonshine ring, isolated Arkansas setting, criminal folklore, and corrupt sheriff create a distinctly southern gothic atmosphere.
Ex-convict Bobby McKlusky is released early on the condition that he infiltrate and help break up the moonshine ring.
The film repeatedly foregrounds car chases and stunt work as its primary action set pieces.
Films like White Lightning, and why
I Walk the Line
shared southern crime drama, corrupt law enforcement, rough-edged regional atmosphere, and action-driven pursuit
Deliverance
shared rural crime setting, visceral car chases, masculine antihero, and grim southern tension
The Getaway
shared 1970s crime-action style, charismatic star performance, criminal subculture, and vehicle stunt spectacle
Smokey and the Bandit
shared outlaw smuggling, southern flavor, comic action energy, and Burt Reynolds-era car culture
Movie Details
- Director
- Joseph Sargent
- Release Date
- 1973-08-06
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (120)
Cast
- Burt Reynolds
- Jennifer Billingsley
- Ned Beatty
- Bo Hopkins
- Matt Clark
- Louise Latham
- Diane Ladd
- R.G. Armstrong
- Conlan Carter
- Dabbs Greer
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- 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 White Lightning about?
- An ex-con moonshiner is forced into an uneasy alliance with federal agents to bring down a corrupt Arkansas sheriff and his smuggling empire.
- What is White Lightning like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of White Lightning as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is White Lightning violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in White Lightning as moderate.
- What did critics think of White Lightning?
- Critics broadly found Burt Reynolds and the supporting cast compelling within a believable southern crime world, though uneven storytelling, incidental material, and excessive car chases weakened the film.
- Which films are like White Lightning?
- Films with a similar feel include I Walk the Line, Deliverance, The Getaway, and Smokey and the Bandit.
- How long is White Lightning?
- White Lightning runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch White Lightning?
- In United States, White Lightning streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
