Macon County Line (1973/Warner DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C Extras: D Film: C+
Among the
many interesting entries in the Southern Bandit/Chase cycle in the 1970s of
mostly independent productions is Richard Compton’s Macon County Line (1973) because it is one of the few that takes
place in an earlier time (1954 Chicago) here, is as much a drama as a chase
film, is a more mature film and proved that one-time Beverly Hillbillies star Max
Baer Jr. (who was Jethro Bodine) was a real lover of films and as a
producer/writer could put it on the screen and is impressive as a formidable
sheriff. Though it did not become the
second career one might have hoped for after this film, this holds up well.
The Dixon
Brothers (played by real life brothers Alan and Jesse Vint) go on a trip to get
their ya yas out before having to report to a boot camp, but when they get
framed for crimes they did not commit, they are on the run from a tough but
good father/lawman (Baer) who has a good wife and sin (yes, played by Leif Garrett) in a nice change of pace from
the kinds of films that were in it just for the chases. No wonder it was one of the few to inspire a
sequel and one people still talk about.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is softer than I expected considering
this is a new DVD and this is such a nice shoot by Director of Photography
Daniel Lacambre. The inevitable Blu-ray
will hopefully show all; this off better.
The Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono has dated sound and is more compressed than
it should be. Stu Phillips supplied the
score and Bobby Gentry also participated.
There are no extras, though there should be.
- Nicholas Sheffo
