51 years ago Walking Tall hit the movie screens. Based upon a specific time in the life of Sheriff Buford Pusser, this film has become a bit of a cult favorite over the years.
Buford Pusser, portrayed by Joe Don Baker, is ready to settle down in his hometown with his wife and children. Growing tired of the travels and politics of professional wrestling, the family is ready to settle down somewhere permanent. Buford's hometown isn't the same quiet town he left years ago.
The Dixie Mafia and State Line Mob have opened a brothel/bar/gambling business on the outskirts of town. A high school friend of Buford's introduces him to the place. Buford isn't comfortable in the surroundings. His buddy, though, talks him into staying and loaning him some money to gamble with. Buford catches the house cheating and demands his money back from the establishment showing how the craps game was rigged.
Associates of the place attack Buford, who holds his own against the group until they are able to get him on a pool table, hold him down, while one of their own beats Buford about the face and has another associate cut Buford. He is dropped off on the side of a road and left to die.
Coming to in a rainstorm he is able to drag himself out of a gulch and flag down a passing trucker. He is taken home to where the local doctor says it took 200 stitches to close the knife wounds. The local sheriff, being on the take, tries to insinuate that Buford was drunk and started something that backfired. The doctor, however, states that Mr. Pusser is stone cold sober.
Realizing the local authorities are no hope, Buford decides to take matters into his own hands. His father and him, became partners in a lumber business. Buford decides to craft himself a nice beating stick to even the odds for his next visit.
Going to the establishment after hours, Buford lays waste to the associates there. He then goes to the cage, shows the individual a receipt and demands restitution for his hospital bill, car that disappeared, and the original $35. As the worker hands him a stack of cash, Buford waves it off only wanting the amount he stated. He then counts it out and gives the rest back. The next he is arrested.
Southern Justice is speedy as his trial happens instantly. His only witness, the friend from high school, is found dead in the river. As the Prosecution builds a damning case against him, the cards stacked in favor of the bought court. Upon the stand, Buford lets the jury know his only witness had an "accident" and is deceased. As he rails against the injustice happening, he rips open his shirt to show the jury the scars on his torso and back left from the first attack. Shocked by what they see, the jury finds him not guilty. Upon walking out of the courthouse, another high school friend tells Buford he should run for the county sheriff's position.
Do what they may to stop it, Buford is elected to the Sheriff's position and begins his takedown of the local criminal element. At first meeting resistance from the bribed judge, Buford studies the Judge's law book and finds that the Sheriff has a lot more power than the Judge. Begrudgingly the judge decides to work along with Buford.
Losing money because of Buford's crusade, the outfit decides they need to fully eliminate their problem. The first few assassination attempts fail.
Buford receives a call about a newly opened still in the county. His wife talks him into bringing her so she can see what it is her husband does. On the way there, his car is ambushed. His wife is fatally shot and he is shot in the lower face and jaw.
Still wear a face and neck cast, Buford attends his wife's funeral. Not trusting the state authorities to handle what happened, he then goes to the establishment driving his car through the wall and killing a couple of his enemies. Two of his deputies arrive to take Buford back to the hospital vowing that they will find who did his to him and his wife. Townsfolk appear. They begin to empty the place of furniture, gambling instruments, etc and setting them on fire as Buford watches with tears in his eyes.
It has been a bit since I last watched this film. Still as good as ever. With it being a hit, the decision to make another film based on Buford's continuing fight is made. On the way home from signing to appear as himself, Sheriff Buford Pusser is killed in a mysterious car accident. A third film would be made covering that. You can watch the first Walking Tall on PlutoTV or PLEX.
