White Lightning

Watch White Lightning

"Meet the Bayou's baddest good ol' boy."
  • PG
  • 1973
  • 1 hr 41 min
  • 6.4  (5,608)
  • 60

White Lightning is a 1973 American action movie, directed by Joseph Sargent and starring Burt Reynolds, Jennifer Billingsley, and Ned Beatty. This high-octane film revolves around Gator McKlusky (Burt Reynolds), a former moonshine runner who gets released from prison with a mission. The Federal agents have lost an incredible amount of agents while trying to put down a major moonshine operation in Arkansas, run by a corrupt Sheriff Connors (Ned Beatty) and his henchmen, and they need Gator to go back to his roots to help them infiltrate the criminal organization.

Gator's love interest, Lou (Jennifer Billingsley), has a reason as well to hate Connors. Her younger brother, Buddy, was killed by his men while he tried giving information to the feds. With a personal motive to take down Sheriff Connors and seek revenge, Gator reluctantly agrees to help the feds in their mission.

Gator tries to infiltrate the moonshine organization, and it is not easy for him. It seems that Connors is one step ahead of him. To make matters worse, he is hunted by Connors and his men. The movie features some of the most surreal car chases ever filmed, with cars moving with reckless abandon through dirt roads and highways.

As the plot progresses, Gator finds himself in increasingly dangerous situations, including trying to escape from an enraged alligator in a swamp. And while he tries to balance his new task and his old ways, the tension builds between him and Lou as he sets out on one of his biggest missions ever.

Burt Reynolds delivers a top-notch performance as Gator, as he did time and again. His charming personality and natural talent make for an extremely engaging portrayal. His chemistry with Jennifer Billingsley is also spot on, with both characters bringing a strong emotional depth to their interactions. Ned Beatty is equally excellent as the corrupt Sheriff Connors, infusing his character with a ruthless and cold-blooded persona.

The action scenes are one of the highlights of White Lightning. Director Joseph Sargent creates an all-encompassing atmosphere of peril and danger, which eventually culminates in a thrilling, high-speed car chase through the scenic rural South that is truly unforgettable.

The film also features an astonishingly catchy music score composed by Charles Bernstein, which brilliantly complements the movie's atmosphere and keeps the audiences engaged throughout.

In conclusion, White Lightning is a must-watch for fans of the good-old-fashioned action genre. Its remarkable performances, thrilling action sequences, and emotional depth make it stand out as one of Burt Reynolds' finest efforts. The film's lasting influence is apparent years later, with many modern car-action films undoubtedly drawing inspiration from its signature car chase sequences.

White Lightning is a 1973 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 60.

White Lightning
Description
Where to Watch White Lightning
White Lightning is available to watch free on Pluto TV, Tubi TV and YouTube. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent White Lightning for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1973
  • MPAA Rating
    PG
  • Runtime
    1 hr 41 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.4  (5,608)
  • Metascore
    60
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