MovieChat Forums > Macon County Line (1975) Discussion > Some great performances in this drive-in...

Some great performances in this drive-in classic

posted 17 years ago by prp456
5 replies | jump to latest

I would list "Macon County Line" as a must-see film for fans of 3 actors in particular: Geoffrey Lewis is hilarious as the film's comic relief. I've always wondered if any or all of his lines were inprovised; the other actors in his first scene are laughing and it looks as if they just couldn't help it. If that was the case, I'm glad director Max Baer left that in, rather than do take after take to get them to stop laughing. The other 2 outstanding performances are at the other end of the spectrum. Tim Scott and James Gammon are totally convincing as the escaped killers, and really scary. I have more often seen both of these gentlemen play good guys and they are so evil in this film I could hardly recognize them.

This movie definately qualifies as a "drive-in classic" of the 1970s. If you weren't lucky enough to be around for the experience back then, seeing this now may be the next best thing!

[–] sipowicz 17 years ago

I agree, I think one has to experience this when it was released in order to enjoy it. I'm afraid today's moviegoers would understand.

[–] WarpedRecord 13 years ago

The performances and direction are very strong for a film that was mainly geared to the drive-in market. Max Baer proved he could direct – and act beyond Jethro Bodine – and he should have had a major career in both fields.

I regret not catching this in the '70s, but I have it on both VHS and DVD now. 8/10 stars from me.

[–] SteveRes (474) 6 years ago

I agree with everyone you mentioned but would like to add Baer himself to the list, I thought he was totally convincing as a Southern good ol' boy Sheriff, he scared the crap out of me to be honest. He reminded me of the Sheriff at the end of Deliverance who warns them never to come back to the county again.

[–] db20db (16205) 6 years ago

He reminded me of Sheriff Teasle in First Blood, with very much the same biased, redneck mentality at work.

[–] db20db (16205) 6 years ago

I remember being sort of awed by this when watching it for the first time as a teen. I discovered it by accident tonight, rewatched it after many years and now consider it to be a hidden gem.