Search - Macon County Line on DVD

Macon County Line a video classic

Brad Moffitt | 04/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Whiplash!

Rich Kortz | Pennsylvania | 02/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having only seen 'Macon County Line' years ago on a murky late night network TV broadcast, I wasn't prepared for the DVD whiplash I experienced when I popped this disc in. I couldn't believe this was the same film. Here's a textbook example of an all-but-forgotten film from the cinema's golden decade, the 70's, that is given riveting new life by a superb DVD transfer. This disc is simply beautiful, with painterly images that capture this southern gothic drive-in classic in all its glory. Director Richard Compton slowly but methodically orchestrates the growing sense of menace and dread as sharply as John Boorman did with 'Deliverance'. The cast is great too, with the Vints perfectly cast as brothers who unknowingly confront Max Baer's vengeful heart of darkness and rage. Baer is extraordinary here, simultaneously summoning both pathos and horror from the viewer. A winner all the way."

Drive-In Classic looks Great on DVD

Robert Huggins | Suburban Philadelphia, PA United States | 03/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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.""

Not for the squeamish

Douglas Doepke | Claremont, CA United States | 06/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."