Customer Reviews

Macon County Line

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Critical acclaim is not exactly the way to describe Macon County Line. This film, with many of the other 70's classic drive-in features, is an absolute classic but didn't rate highly with critics. Alan and Jesse Vint, although not Hollywood royalty, deserve a place in film history for their parts as brothers who become the victims of horrible circumstances. Alan and Jesse popped up in other films through the 70' and 80's (most notably "Centennial"), but "Macon County" is their opus. It's just a shame that their talents were never showcased like this again. They are outstanding actors. The film has impact, and the DVD version is like watching it for the first time. WOW! What a film. If you are like me, a child of the 70's, and using Amazon and e-auctions to build nostalgic movie and music libraries, put this one in your DVD collection. It's outstanding.

If you're a fan of low budget film making, the story behind the making of "Macon County Line" is as fascinating as the film itself, perhaps moreso. You'll learn about that in a short featurette that's included on the DVD that features interviews with Director Richard Compton, Actor-Producer-Writer Max Baer, Jr., star Jesse Vint and others. What I really enjoyed is the film commentary offered by Richard Compton during the film. It's actually more of a conversation with Anchor Bay producer Bill Lustig, a pretty good low budget film maker, himself (Maniac, Vigilante, Maniac Cop), about how the film came to be. Listening to the two directors talking about how to get the most out of a small budget (just over $200,000 for the film) is a real education. Lustig is a very good interviewer/commentator and has shown up on other Anchor Bay releases (his own "Vigilante" comes to mind).

The film, itself, is a much better-than-average story about mistaken identities and the tragic consequences that result. The cast is generally good and the acting is a lot better than what one might typically expect from drive-in fare. Max Baer, Jr., in particular, gives depth to a character that could have been played as "Sheriff Jethro Bodine." Baer wanted to break away from his "Beverly Hillbillies" image and, for the most part, he succeeds. Anchor Bay's widescreen edition looks great. I can't vouch for the sound since I don't have an elaborate audio system, but Anchor Bay generally has a reputation for doing good things with the available source material.

Fans of 70's era drive-in movies will really enjoy "Macon County Line."

A great big thank you to Warner Video for re-releasing Macon County Line on DVD. I sorely lamented missing the last DVD release, which resulted in having nothing to choose from but some very expensive even used copies floating around once the title was out-of-print or poor quality bootleg copies. I recommend grabbing this release while you can. Max Baer hit on a goldmine with the totally unexpected smash success of the film in 1974. This was especially amazing when you consider that it mainly played on the drive-in circuit during the initial release. Those who only know Max Baer as Jethro Bodine on The Beverly Hillbillies will be in for a great surprise at the vast difference from that comical character and the character he portrays in Macon County Line. The theme song was sung by the lovely Bobbie Gentry of Ode to Billy Joe fame. The only thing that could maybe be better than having this classic film available once again on DVD would be to have the chance to watch it under the stars at a drive-in on a warm summer night. Don't miss it!! But a little bit surprised that this DVD release has no extras at all, not even the original trailer. Why??

Max Baer's friendly fascist is one reason, but not the only one, to catch this disturbing 1974 film. In fact, Baer's smiling, upright sheriff seems a blood brother in some twisted sense to Mayberry's Andy Griffith. Based on fact, the movie portrays the misadventures of real-life brothers Alan and Jesse Vint, as they frolic through the 1950's South on their way to a date with the Army. Bad luck and Sheriff Baer however turn their joyride into a nightmare that finally ends in tragedy. The last scenes are a suspense-filled stunner. This is Baer's production and he uses it to observe the effects of gun culture, brutality, and race prejudice in fairly subtle fashion. Except for Geoffrey Lewis's overdone station attendant, the acting is first rate, with Joan Blackman a long way from her frothy Elvis movies. Special recognition should go to the casting of the two southern lowlifes who are the most convincing and sinister drifters I've seen, and are guaranteed to put chills up the spine. At times the script seems too deliberate, as though there are explanations for everything. Still, this is a first-rate thriller that deserves its cult status, and is ultimately a long, long way from the bucholic ideal of Sheriff Andy's Mayberry.

This was a decent movie directed by and starring Max Baer, who played Jethro in the TV series " The Beverly Hillbillies. " The story is about two brothers who are traveling and stop in a small town where Jethro is a deputy. Jethro's wife is killed by two ex-cons and jumping to conclusions Jethro pursues the two brothers for the murder. The movie was filmed better than I expected and it was based on a true story. I don't regret buying the movie and would do so again.

Back in the 70s, Hollywood was riding a wave of darker, more interesting films. Movies like EASY RIDER, BONNIE AND CLYDE, and BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (at the tail-end of the 60s) had helped to spawn a series of movies that all seemed to start out light-heartedly, but would end in tragedy. Good examples are MACABE AND MRS. MILLER, BOXCAR BERTHA, and, of course, DELIVERANCE. Among these was a little independent film called MACON COUNTY LINE, which concerns two brothers (played by the real-life Vint brothers) who set out on a fun-filled odyssey, only to meet w/ a terrible fate. In keeping w/ it's decade, MCL starts out as a near-comedy, only to spin out of control, ending as a horrific tale of death and revenge. Max Baer wrote, produced, and stars in this classic. A must for all fans of 70s thrillers or 70s cinema in general...

Real life brothers Alan and Jesse Vint, are cast as brothers Chris and Wayne Dixon, in this film. The Dixon brothers are about to enlist in the military. So they decide to head from Chicago to New Orleans, to have some fun before they report for their induction, in two weeks.

The Dixon brothers do have some fun during their journey, and even pick-up a pretty young woman who's hitchhiking. But when their car breaks-down, they have to wait for the repair shop to get the correct parts for it, before they can be on their way. This takes longer than Chris and Wayne figured on. Their troubles really begin though, when the local Sheriff's wife is brutally murdered in their home, and the Sheriff mistakenly thinks Chris and Wayne are the culprits.

This story-line in this movie took place in the 1950s, when the deep south could be a particularly dangerous place, for outsiders passing through. It's based on a true story, which makes it even more chilling. Alan and Jesse Vint really project a brotherly chemistry between them with ease. Guess it helps that they're brothers in real life. Max Baer Jr. (know as Jethro from the Beverley Hillbillies) plays the Sheriff with menacing relish. A young Leif Garrett plays the Sheriff's son Luke. Leif shows an amazing emotional fluency, in his role.

This film is a cut above many of the drive-in B films, that were so ubiquitous during the 70s when this movie was made. Decent character development, and a plot that's thick with danger and suspense, are the main reasons for this factor. It's definitely worth a watch, especially if you like films that are compelling and visceral.

Macon County line is a sure thriller.It leaves you with the feeling of "Could this happen to me". Out of his role of Jethro Bodine,Max Baer is truly convincing as the sheriff every small town seems to have. The story is based on fact .Two teens are senselessly murded and another is scarred for life, just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.A true classic,Macon County Line Is a roller coaster ride of thrills and suspense every minute. You WLL ENJOY this film.

I loved this movie when it first came out. Why, because I was on set for part of the filming. My dad, uncle, cousins and brother were extras in the film. Looking to find it on DVD. Brings back many memories.

Reading the product description on the DVD case you would get the impression that "Macon County Line" is standard drive-in exploitation fare. Nothing could be further than the truth. This film is a snapshot of a time and place in history about two guys in the wrong place. This could just as well have been contemporary Philadelphia instead of the Jim Crow South in the 1950s. Director Richard Compton effectively and subtlety captures the mood of the time with oppression percolating beneath the surface. Max Baer has also crafted a multilayered witty script that belies the way the film was promoted. Speaking of Baer, he plays the avenging peace officer here but there's more complexity to it. Baer's character is as sympathetic as the Vint brothers who are the unfortunate victim of circumstance. "Macon County Line" is ultimately a thoughtful film and a definite sleeper from a decade that produced a lot of great films.