Part 2: Walking Tall

Part two in the Buford Pusser homage-trilogy begins during the aftermath of the assassination attempt that killed Pusser's wife and heavily injured the Sheriff of McNairy County himself. After spending eight long months in the hospital, Pusser is ready to pick up the fight with corruption and moonshining again.

The "Walking Tall" movies are difficult to rate and review. They basically qualify as Rednecksploitation, but since they are inspired by true events and pay tribute to a real-life "American Hero", the films don't feature comic elements (don't expect goofy banjo-music chases here) and have a much more stern and depressing atmosphere. And yet, part two is also typical and clichéd kind of sequel, with a lot more action footage and crazed supportive characters than the in the first. John Witter, the cowardly head of the moonshine-syndicate, hires numerous people to eliminate Buford Pusser (including a duo of merciless crooks, a deadly prostitute and a brute Nascar-driver) but every attempt spectacularly fails, even though there are sad losses again.

What makes "Walking Tall: Part Two" even more of a cult movie is that it normally would have starred the real Buford Pusser if he hadn't died in questionable circumstances prior to the start of production. Bo Svenson took over the role from Joe Don Baker (who refused in honor of Buford Pusser) and portrayed him in this film, the last part of the trilogy, and a short-lived television series. The rest of the cast is also terrific, with many great names reprising their roles (like Bruce Glover) but also a bunch of freshly loathsome faces, like Luke Askew, John Davis Chandler, Angel Tompkins and Richard Jaeckel.

This film essentially takes up where its predecessor left off with "Sheriff Buford Pusser" (played in this movie by Bo Svenson) recuperating from his injuries sustained in an ambush which killed his wife. Although his loyal deputies want to go after the suspects involved in this fatal shooting, Sheriff Pusser manages to convince them to perform their day-to-day duties while he concentrates on winning reelection. To that effect, although he is quite popular to most of the people in his county, there is a certain corrupt element led by a man named "John Witter" (Logan Ramsey) who is intent on preventing that at all costs. For starters, it suits his business interests in having someone within the police department that he can control. But even more importantly, having had a role in the deadly ambush, the one thing he doesn't want is an investigation being carried out by someone intent on getting to the truth of the matter. That being said, when Sheriff Pusser does in fact win reelection, John Witter subsequently decides to eliminate his adversary by hiring several different people with unique skills of their own. Now, rather than reveal any more I will just say that, although it didn't have quite as much drama as the original movie, it had enough robust action to make up for it to a certain degree. I also liked the performances of both Richard Jaeckel (as "Stud Pardee") and Luke Askew ("Pinky Dobson") who played their parts quite well. Likewise, having both Angel Tompkins ("Marganne Stilson") and Brooke Mills ("Ruby Lee") certainly didn't hurt the scenery in any way either. Be that as it may, while this movie may not have been as good as its predecessor, it was still enjoyable for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

This was the first "Walking Tall" movie I saw, I think in a $2 movie theater along Hollywood Blvd. , so I didn't have any reference to the first installment done by Joe Don Baker. I remember being shocked at the corrupted system of McNairy County and the brutality of the "redneck gangs". I was also amazed at the fact that one man decided he's not going to let it slide, and went out to do something about it. Courageous ? I thought so - to a point where it sent shivers up my spine.

I think this movie is a great story about American courage to stand up and do something about a system that's only serving its own interest. I was pretty blown away about it, and think this is still one of the best movie of the hero/anti-hero genre, which one might laugh but includes recent movies like the "The Punisher", but even more so because it's a true story. The recent remake starring the "Rock" just doesn't do any justice to the real fire in the story of Buford Pusser.

A "classic" that I'm sure will resurface again in the future.

The original "Walking Tall" is a true classic but I actually find "Part 2 Walking Tall" (that's the actual title) a more enjoyable experience. The original is a heartbreaking movie to watch. "Part 2" has its fair share of serious moments but the first movie has a lot more. "Part 2" ends up being more fun. The cast is very good with an excellent Bo Svenson leading the way. The movie opens up with a notarized statement swearing that "Part 2" is true. That's good enough for me. Long Live Sheriff Bufford Pusser. Honorable mention: one of the greatest moments of nudity in movie history (Angel Tompkins).

I wasn't sure if i could watch this without Dad. I made it thru surprisingly without it bothering me too much. This is the 1 i remember most watching with Dad. This was the first time i watched it since his death. Always loved Bo, fine figure of a man. Dad & me always liked/loved Jaeckel primarily because of him being in Grizzly which is a 11 star film. Luke Askew is funny on here. Always loved him. When Pusser tears Jaeckel's car apart i remember Dad laughing, loving every minute of it. Good memories. Its not the same without him but i do love these movies. Wish i had watched them more when he was alive. Gonna be a sad day when Bo dies too.