WHITE LIGHTNING

US, 1973, 101 minutes, Colour.
Burt Reynolds, Jennifer Billingsley, Ned Beatty, Bo Hopkins, Matt Clark.
Directed by Joseph Sargent.

Burt Reynolds is relying on his personality for the success of some of his films. He shows himself as tough, genially humorous, with a sense of righteousness. He also looks rather pleased with himself. This film is no more than average entertainment. Its story is commonplace - about moonshine bootlegging and big boss sheriffs with Reynolds trying to expose the law and avenge a murder. Filmed in Arkansas, the main difference is the locations and the picture of modern bootlegging. There are a number of loose ends and moments which build up and come to nothing. Ned Beatty gives the best performance as the old-fashioned dictator-sheriff.

1. The significance of the name of the film? The car called 'White Lightning'? Little being made of this theme? Its reference to McClusky? Lightning and its striking?

2. Was this an enjoyable film? Why? How good a film was it? How ordinary?

3. Did it give an interesting picture of the united States? Of life in Arkansas? Of types?

4. The picture of moonshine and illegal industry? How interesting was this in itself The details of the moonshine and its transportation? The type of people involved? The risks? The money? The implicit violence?

5. How good a hero was Gator McClusky? The presentation of him in prison and his escape? Burt Reynolds-type as hero? The impact of his brother's death on him? (The effectiveness of this as an opening for the film - mystery, revulsion and violence and murder. motivation for vengeance?) How righteous was McClusky's vengeance? The importance of his escape. his visiting home. his getting involved with the moonshine people? The fact that he was working for the law? what right had the law to employ men like McClusky?

6. Was this justified when one understood Boss Connors and his world? His running of the law and his values? Audience reaction to Connors? To his initial murder? To the way he ran his county? His relationships with his secretary.etc.? His yes men? The way he kept in power?

7. How well did the film present the minor characters like Dude, Roy Boone, Lou, etc.? Were they well-delineated? Did one understand them in their life and work? Their motivation for being in the moonshine business? The risk and the violence?

8. Comment on the use of violence in this film?

9. The importance of the final shoot-out and McClusky's use of his wits? How ingeniously were they presented? The importance of the visit to the unmarried mothers' home?

10. How much did the film rely on Burt Reynolds and his style? His toughness, geniality, smile, resourcefulness, laconic irony? His relationship with Lou? How well-delineated was she? What motivated her? The irony of her dialogue? Her staying with McClusky?

11. What was your reaction to Connors' death? How ugly was it? The poetic justice of his drowning? The mock irony of his funeral?

12. Should a film like this be looked at for values? or is it merely a commercial enterprise to exploit trends and themes? Why?