Gator (1976) User Reviews

Rest in peace, Bayou's baddest good ol' boy!

[Coventry · 6/10 · 10 September 2018]

I am not a man of many traditions, but I like to keep the few ones that I do have intact. One of those traditions is that I pay tribute to a deceased actor or director by watching one of his/her movies as soon as I hear the sad news. Burt Reynolds died on 5th of September 2018 and, although he's far from my favorite actor of all times, I do feel an honoring is in place since titles like "Deliverance", "White Lightening", "The Cannonball Run" and "Smokey and The Bandit" are nevertheless favorites of mine. Reviewing "Gator" is even a bit of a double tribute, since the film also marked Reynold's debut as a director.

"Gator" is exactly what you expect a pulpy and trashy sequel to the 1973 semi-classic "White Lightening" to be like, except that everything now revolves even more around the hunky & cool persona of illegal liquor runner Gator McClusky. Freshly released from prison, Gator is forced by a New York DA to help apprehend his former childhood buddy Bama McCall, who's now a big-shot Bayou crook. Gator is initially reluctant to betray his old friend and sabotages the operation, but when he finds out that Bama has become a relentless gangster who runs mafia-like protection rings and forces underaged girls into prostitution, all his sympathy quickly vanished. Like "White Lightening", the tone of "Gator" is also primarily light-headed, but with many raw and dark edges as well as unexpected moments of extreme violence. The typically hillbilly-soundtrack and the speedboat-chases through the Bayou swamps are comical, but Bama McCall's sinister henchmen and their gangster practices are grim and more reminiscent to the dark and uncompromising type of 70s grindhouse/exploitation cinema. The role of Jerry Reed is particularly and utmost surprising! I previously just knew him as a country-crooner (he also sings the title song) or as the jolly but harmless sidekick (for example in "Smokey and the Bandit") but here Reed depicts a truly evil guy with a nasty shotgun and intimidating helpers. His lieutenants are a scary giant named Bones, so tall that he has stick his head out of the open roof when driving a car, and a perverse creep named Smiley (you'll see why).

Reynolds occasionally demonstrates that he holds the potential of a competent director, and "Gator" is overall good entertainment, but the film is too long and especially the romantic interludes between Gator and love-interest Lauren Hutton are too tedious and interfere with the explosive action & spectacle during the finale. Throughout the 70s and 80s, it seemed like Burt Reynolds had a fun career with a few classics and a quite large number of genuine crowd-pleasers. He made a remarkable comeback in the 90s, with a few hits ("Boogie Nights") and more misses ("Striptease", "Cop and a Half") but always kept his Bayou bad-boy coolness. Rest in peace, Mr. Bandit.

A drastic change of pace for this 1976 sequel...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 18 March 2022]

I watched the 1973 movie "White Lightning" and then followed up with the 1976 movie "Gator" here, as I happened to stumble upon two Burt Reynolds movies that I hadn't previously seen. I did enjoy the 1973 movie, so I was looking forward to watching what writers William W. Norton and Roderick Taylor had to offer with the 1976 movie that was directed by Burt Reynolds.

While "Gator" certainly is watchable, it differs from the 1973 movie quite a lot. Whereas the 1973 movie "White Lightning" incorporated comedy, the 1976 movie "Gator" incorporates a more serious and mature aspect, as it deals with some pretty heavy contents, such as drugs and prostitution involving underage girls. That change of pace and contents was definitely no what I was expecting, and certainly not from a Burt Reynolds movie, wherein the previous movie they were setting the stage with mixing crime and comedy.

The movie stars Burt Reynolds, whom carries the movie quite well as the Gator McKlusky character. But it also have the likes of Jack Weston, Lauren Hutton, Alice Ghostley, Dub Taylor and Jerry Reed on the cast list. It was quite odd to see Jerry Reed's character Bama McCall take such a drastic turn of personality in "Gator" in comparison to the "White Lightning" movie.

"Gator" is not a bad movie, it just differed a lot from what I was expecting. And just a heads up, if you do sit down to watch "Gator", don't do so with the intent of being entertained with comedy.

My rating of "Gator" lands on a six out of ten stars.

Not as good as "White Lightning".

[Hey_Sweden · 6/10 · 29 November 2015]

1970s superstar Burt Reynolds made his directorial debut with this sequel to his 1973 vehicle "White Lightning". He also returns to the title role, and Gator is now living a quiet existence with his cantankerous, talkative old pop (John Steadman) and spunky nine year old daughter (Lori Futch). Justice Department agent Irving Greenfield (Jack Weston) is pretty sure Gator is still making and running moonshine, so he intends to offer Gator a proposal. He won't be arresting him (a bust this time would make Gator a three time loser), but asking him to hook up with a childhood buddy, Bama McCall (Jerry Reed). Bama is a crooked politician and crime kingpin, and it's really him that the authorities are after. Gator isn't happy about the assignment at first, but he changes his tune when he realizes the depths of Bamas' depravity.

The main problem with "Gator" is that it goes on so long (at least a couple of minutes could have been trimmed) and is so heavy on comedy, that when it takes a side step into ugliness, it's ultimately too jarring. It should have tried striking more of a balance throughout. At first we think it might be "Smokey and the Bandit" type hijinks, with Greenfield bumbling quite a bit for a character who is supposed to be a crack Federal agent. It is mildly funny at times, but it's mostly the performances that keep this watchable for close to two hours. Reeds' title song, which he wrote and sang, gets us in a good mood, and the widescreen Todd AO 35 photography by William A. Fraker is first rate.

Burt is good as Gator. He's charming when he needs to be, but is also believable when he's required to get serious. Reed makes Bama a rather engaging villain, full of personality, for a while. Lauren Hutton is appealing as the reporter who becomes Gators' love interest and co- conspirator. TV personality Mike Douglas has a pre-credits cameo as The Governor. Particularly fun in supporting roles are the ever smiling Burton Gilliam as a henchman, Dub Taylor in peak hammy form as a corrupt mayor, Alice Ghostley as a former public servant, and William Engesser as towering creep Bones. Incidentally, there's a 'Dukes of Hazzard' connection here, as James Best (Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane) was assistant to the producers, and Sonny Shroyer (Deputy Enos Strate) has a tiny part as a Federal agent.

"Gator" is fairly enjoyable, but isn't among the best of Burts' work from this period.

Six out of 10.

its the seventies

[shipes_j · 5 May 2006]

one of the most endearing qualities about this movie is the fact that it brings the seventies back to your memories...it was filmed in 1976 and it shows it often....the scene where jerry (reed) enters the "southside shuffle "topless" bar...nails the period completely... as well as other fashions, lingo, and of course burt himself...who "owned" the seventies....due to this movie and his other good ole boy films of the south....coupled with the overwhelming popularity of smokey and the bandit (yet to come a year later)...established burt as a seemingly permanent fixture in cinema back then...I always thought burt would stay on top I guess...he seemed invincible as the #1 box office attraction...he is definitely an icon of the seventies time capsule...his swagger and his sense of humor put a brand on me as I remember many times in my life (silently) asking myself...what would burt do in a situation like this?....

as pure acting goes...the film had one of the best supporting actors around and due to his lack of experience I guess you would just have to sum up jerry reed as being a "natural".....he played the villain so well you wanted him to stop...and go back to the good ole boy that you knew he could be (later as cletus snow in smokey and the bandit)

gator is/was one of my all time favorite films...from a time period that I thought would never end...I miss it and this film will help you reunite with it if you are nostalgic at all...

Gator's in the Swamp Sheriff--Go Get Him if You Can

[Uriah43 · 7/10 · 14 November 2018]

This film essentially begins with the "Governor" (played by Mike Douglas) of a Southern state lamenting the fact that crime in Dunston County is wrecking his political chances for further advancement. And the one person orchestrating much of this criminal activity is a vicious crime boss by the name of "Bama McCall" (Jerry Reed). Having tried everything he can think of he turns to a federal agent from New York City named "Irving Greenfield" (Jack Weston) who tells him that the solution to the problem is to get an informant planted inside of Bama's organization. Not only that, but he has the perfect candidate for the job: a moonshiner by the name of "Gator McCluskey" (Burt Reynolds) who also happens to be a "2-time loser" and if apprehended again for another crime would face a long prison sentence. But first they have to venture into the Okefenokee Swamp and catch him. And that's a difficult task in and of itself. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this sequel to "White Lightning" was just as good-if not better-than the original film. I especially liked the acting of Jerry Reed who I thought put in an excellent performance. That being said, I enjoyed this film and have rated it accordingly. Above average.

A pleasant action film.

[zutterjp48 · 7/10 · 7 October 2020]

Gator is a good action film: a story of corruption, extortion and illegal business, a tough, but pleasant hero and a love story. I enjoyed very the performances of Burt Reynolds and Lauren Hutton.

What happened to Gator McKlusky?

[bensonmum2 · 3/10 · 19 June 2008]

A two-time loser like Gator McKlusky (Burt Reynolds) will do anything to avoid a third strike and a long prison stint. So when a big city revenuer asks for Gator's help, what choice does he have? Gator's mission is to get the goods on Bama McCall (Jerry Reed), the nasty crime boss of a neighboring county. Gator gets something else he hadn't counted on, however, when he falls for television reporter Aggie Maybank (Lauren Hutton). Can he get the girl and the goon?

As is the case with most sequels, Gator is a vastly inferior movie to its predecessor, White Lightning. Everything that made that movie so good and so memorable is missing from Gator. While there are a few good moments like the opening boat chase, the movie doesn't have the same gritty feel to it that characterized White Lightning. Gator trades much of the action of White Lightning for a tired, dull romance between Reynolds and Hutton. Not only isn't it believable (especially if you know the Gator character from the first movie), but the outcome of the relationship is terribly predictable. "Sappy" and Gator McKlusky just shouldn't be used together.

But the most offensive part of Gator is Burt Reynolds. In White Lightning, he played it straight. From my review of White Lightning, "One of the coolest things about White Lightning is that it presents Burt Reynolds as an actor at the top of his game. This was a Burt Reynolds who seemed to actually care about the final product and not just yucking it up with his buddies on screen." In Gator, far too often Reynolds reverts to the clown he would become in movies like Smokey and the Bandit and Cannonball Run. That laugh of his just grates on my nerves. There are times in Gator when Reynolds and Reed are on screen together that I swear it's like a test run for Smokey and the Bandit. And it's not surprising to see Hal Needham's name in the credits as Second Unit Director.

Overall, Gator is a huge disappointment. I'm being generous with my 3/10 rating.

Who Ya Gonna Call -- Gator McKlusky

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 26 March 2012]

Burt Reynolds both plays the title role and repeats his character from White Line Fever in this film Gator. Reynolds played one of his most endearing characters as the amiable moonshiner who has certain talents and the right acquaintances that an ambitious Governor of Georgia needs at the moment.

As we saw in White Line Fever Reynolds was a tough man for law enforcement to deal with. But Mike Douglas, the TV host not Kirk's son, is the Governor who has a Phoenix City like county that is gaining national attention and putting a crimp on his plans for higher office.

As it turns out Reynolds happens to know the boss of said county who is played by country singer Jerry Reed. They've got history together and Reynolds has to be hammer-locked into cooperating by federal investigator Jack Weston. But one look at Reed's operation, particularly one aspect of it, and Reynolds then becomes a willing crusader.

Also helping out are Lauren Hutton and Alice Ghostley and this is the fantastic four of Georgia. Gator as a film is nicely paced between some good old boy comedy, serious drama, and some really nice action sequences especially at the climax. I'd give it a look and for Burt Reynolds fans, Gator is a must.

A Most Lousy Sequel

[magellan333 · 3/10 · 16 August 2007]

What a disappointment this film was. I was pleasantly surprised with the film's predecessor, White Lightning. While no master piece in film, White Lightning was an enjoyable film set in the deep south. Gator on the other hand leaves so much to be desired. The film opens with one of the most ridiculous chase scenes I have ever seen. There is little improvement as the film goes on. Jerry Reed plays a kingpin and does not do it very convincingly. Burt Reynolds, as Gator, does not seem nearly as tough this time around. Perhaps his second stint in prison made him soft? It seems Gator is not as confident this time around. The remaining cast members are most forgettable. Most forgettable was the slob/federal agent that Gator is in cahoots with. There was one good shot the entire movie. Gator visits with a 15 and a half year old prostitute and the part of the scene is shot in the reflection of a music box mirror. Somebody else must have suggested this to Burt Reynolds as the rest of his directing in this movie is deplorable. The film's failings can't lie solely on bad directing, most every film making element of "Gator" falls short. What a shame, Burt Reynolds seemed to be such a promising talent in White Lightning.

Watchable flick which delivers on its promises

[ufster-2 · 6/10 · 6 August 2016]

I'm rating this a tad higher than I feel it deserves but that's because the movie commands some respect for its honesty and authenticity. Staying true to the genre conventions, it features a reformed crook battling against an irredeemable crook in a somewhat charming southern setting with a hint of corruption and pessimism in the air per the 70s obligatory outlook towards government and life in general. All in all, watchable, has some interesting characters and delivers what it promises: some fun, action and romance.

I watched the prequel, White Lightning (1973), which is a notch better movie than this one and if you liked that one the chances are you'll enjoy this as well. Reynolds is a believable Gator and Reed as Bama portrays a despicable charmer with the slickness and sickness worthy of a Clare Quilty.

Another star turned director debut to forget

[susansweb · 2/10 · 14 August 2001]

Why oh why do people make films that start off with a light-hearted attitude but in the end become grim and depressing. "Hickey and Boggs" and "Shout at the Devil" also come to mind in this respect. The only things saving this film from being lumped in with "Hustle" (the worst '70's Reynolds film in my opinion) is Jack Weston as a bumbling federal investigator and Jerry Reed as the icy evil villain. Of course, with the acting talents of Lauren Hutton on display, a lot more is needed than just a couple of good character actors. Add an exploitative ending that feels like it was tacked on for a sense of serious "drama" and you get one bad movie.

Burt is fine, but Jerry is better

[y4j1981 · 9/10 · 14 August 2005]

The movie Gator is full of action. As with many Burt Reynolds movies the cops are once again practically useless. The standout is Jerry Reed as Bama McCall. Jerry Reed takes his role and runs with it till their is nothing left. The evil laugh and twinkle in his eye only adds to his portrayal. The bar scene with Bama, Gator, Bones and Smiley is a 10 easily. If you enjoy Burt Reynolds you will like this movie, however I hope you will walk away with a new appreciation for Jerry Reed. I really got a kick out of the 70's suits Mr. Reed wore. Classic. The opening motorboat scene is done well, but you can see the stunt men instead of the main actors. Lauren Hutton is sweet and there seemed to be some chemistry between her and Burt. Great acting, morality play and Jerry Reed, what more could one ask for?

Decent, but uneven sequel to White Lightning

[dworldeater · 6/10 · 11 March 2024]

Burt Reynolds is quoted as saying this was "The worst script he ever read". Once he was told he could direct he said "This is the best script he ever read". White Lightning worked because it was a pretty straightforward revenge movie with tight direction. The tone on this is all over the place with baffonish comedy that would be out of place in the first film along with more serious moments. Burt plays himself in this film, more or less and is much less angry than the earlier film. There is bigger action scenes, but there were better chases and action scenes in White Lightning. I like Burt as a director, but this is his first time in the director's chair and the screenplay is not the greatest. What's positive about Gator is casting Lauren Hutton as Burt's love interest and journalist. She gives a good performance and is gorgeous. Country star and future sidekick Jerry Reed would later work with Burt as Snowman in Smokey And The Bandit, he is absolutely fantastic here before he makes his babyface turn as the bad, bad Bama McCall. This is only Jerry 's second movie role, but is one of the best onscreen villains I have ever seen. Overall, Gator is fairly entertaining, but does have it's flaws(which I previously stated).

White Lighting was way better

[catdaddyd · 3/10 · 18 November 2020]

Real snooze fest, best thing about it was the theme song by Jerry Reed. I was in a Burt 70s mood after watching White Lighting and decided to watch the sequel, big mistake, it sucked. Don't bother.

Burt steps behind the camera for the first time.

[billybrown41 · 30 November 2001]

I'm a huge fan of Burt Reynolds. The man just won't go down, no matter what odds are stacked against him. People can say what they want about him, he's certainly no quitter and he usually comes out on top. He's been a hero of mine for most of my life and I've grown up loving his movies. Did anyone ever see the good ole boy flick "White Lightning"? Well this is the sequel.

While this might be a strange sequel, I can understand why it is so different from the first. First off, this was made mostly for the drive-in crowd who may not have caught "White Lightning". This allowed the sequel to be a bit looser, where it didn't have to deal too much with what happened in "Lightning". Basically, what you're getting is a a continuation of the Gator McClusky character.

Here's a quickie on the plot: Swamp rat, Gator McClusky is living the life after just being released from the State Penn. He's currently spending his days moonshining with the old man, when the feds come to him with a proposition. Infiltrate a group led by childhood friend, Bama McCall (Jerry Reed), get enough evidence to bust him, or go back to prison for making moonshine. It's a hard choice. Double cross a lifelong friend or go back to prison and lose custody of your daughter. Needless to say, Gator goes with option A and eventually, all hell will break loose.

This was Burt's first shot at directing and, for the most part, he does okay. I have a few quibbles though. This is a PG-rated flick that was most-likely marketed as a comedy. There is plenty of comedy, in fact, from watching the first ten-minutes, you're going to think this is "Smokey and the Bandit" done in the swamps with Jack Weston playing a New York Smokey. There are a lot of laughs in this film and almost all of the characters are likeable. So this leads to my big bitch: Why in the HELL did everything go from lighthearted to cold and violent in the last act? Why did everything have to go down-hill in such a hurry? Maybe it's because the film spends too long meandering in pointless situations and then, when time comes for something significant, it happens lightning-quick. That is why I had such a hard time believing Jerry Reed as the bad guy. His performance was top notch but the film's pacing makes him go from good buddy, to mean, crooked, bad ass way too quickly.

Maybe I'm being a bit harsh, but it's all very cofusing. Maybe, had the film been edited and trimmed a bit better, all of this would have been a bit more believable and things would have ran more smoothly. But being as it is, the whole thing has a very truncated feel. Watch it and you'll see what I mean.

I'm giving this film a 7/10 because, despite it's flaws, it's a hell of a lot of fun and Burt gives the kind of performance that you've come to know and love. "Gator" is definitely a good movie, once you get past it's faults. It's a real shame that movies with this kind of theme aren't made anymore.

It's sort of a sequel.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 23 September 2021]

Three years before, Burt Reynolds made a very good movie called "White Lightning" and it was so popular that the public was eager for a sequel. Well, they got one...sort of. What I mean by that is that it's not exactly a sequel because some of the details and the tone of the movie is quite different from the first film. Instead of being set in Arkansas, Gator seems to be from Georgia, his father played a different character in the first film, there's a daughter who suddenly appeared from no where AND "Gator" is more of a comedy....but a comedy with some very serious stuff in it as well.

When the story begins, some Feds are chasing Gator McKlusky in the Georgia swamps. But Gator has a hot rod boat and manages to avoid them. But what he cannot avoid are these Feds arresting Gator's dad for moonshining. But they don't want the dad...they want to use him to leverage Gator into working for them.

It seems that long ago, Gator had a friend named Bama McCall (Jerry Reed). The Feds tell him that Bama is a gangster...and Gator simply cannot believe the terrible things they say about him. So, he agrees to go meet Bama and see for himself. Soon he's shocked....his friend IS a real creep who makes his living through extortion and child prostitution!

So what's funny about this? Well, not a lot but there is a super-goofy character played by Alice Ghostly...and she is a hoot and clearly was put in the film for comic relief. They also gave the film a girlfriend for Gator (Lauren Hutton)....who assists him and goofy Ghostly in digging up proof of McCall's criminal empire. As for Gator himself....well, he just doesn't seem quite like the guy from the previous film.

Generally I liked the story, but towards the latter part I felt really irritated....as if they didn't know what to do with the story. After Gator and his friends got the goods on McCall, instead of heading to the FBI or just driving north ASAP, they go to the beach and hang out!! They never say which beach, but it was filmed at Tybee Island....in Georgia like the rest of the story. Now considering McCall controls at least a county and perhaps much of Georgia, this little vacation makes no sense at all and showed that the script could have used a bit of a re-write. It's still enjoyable...but also misses the mark and could have been better. As for me, I think I prefer "White Lightning"....though "Gator" did have more in the way of plot and "White Lightning" was almost pure action.

"White Lightning" is better, but, Jerry Reed and the debut of "Ah Shucks" Burt make this one just as fun.

[b_kite · 7/10 · 3 September 2018]

Being a Burt fan I find it rather odd that I never got around to watching "Gator" completely from start to finish, even though I've seen "White Lightning" over 100 times, I think I like that film slightly better, but, this one is still enjoyable it seems to try and go straight leaving a lot of the exploitation of the first film behind. This is when we first got "Ah Shucks" Burt that you would see in "Smokey and the Bandit" and pretty much all his other early '80s output. Jerry Reed sings the cool theme song and his presence makes it ten times better as well If he wasn't here it defiantly would have been a major loss.

The reason why sequels never should have been made

[rlhaag · 1/10 · 5 January 2019]

This movie is a sad excuse for a movie. Burt Reynolds should have gotten anyone besides home to direct. How about Sam Peckinpah or anyone else. The only bright spot in this train wreck is Jerry Reed

Not Shakespeare but I like it !

[richardskranium · 7/10 · 6 September 2018]

A good time-capsule treasure from 1976. The formula for later,better-known Reynolds movies can be found here. I just read that Bert died today and I will miss him.

Grating

[ArtVandelayImporterExporter · 4/10 · 7 March 2020]

Well, there you have it. Falling outside the best Hollywood Era (post Bonnie & Clyde and pre-Jaws) we have Gator, a cheesy, slick, facile, mindless sequel to a subversie bit of New American Cinema called White Lightning. There is more substance in candy floss. And that's before they get to the caper scene. Was that Burt's attempt to recreate a bit of screwball comedy from the 30s? Didn't work. Lauren Hutton turned in a fine performance, considering she started as a smokin' hot cover model. But that's about all this movie has going for it.

Good Ole' Boy Pulp Cinema at its best!

[imbluzclooby · 7/10 · 11 November 2020]

Gator has many flaws, but I can't help but have a sentient attachment to it. Despite its inconsistencies with plausibility, continuity and choice of dialogue, the sum of it's total qualities and appeal outweigh the flaws. It's a good Sunday afternoon film to watch with a friend or your honey to just relax and sink into.

Reprising the role from the Original "White Lightning (1973) Ex-con/Whiskey Moonshiner, Gator McCluskey (Burt Reynolds) is enjoying a down home respite with his crusty old dad and young daughter after being released from a 2 year prison term. Unbeknownst to him he is set upon by the State feds on boats. Thus ensues a hilarious and exciting boat chase scene with Gator reducing the inept cops to bumbling fools. What is this all about? He's being coerced by a New York District Attorney (Jack Weston), at the behest of the Georgia state governor (Mike Douglas) to expose an old friend , Bama McCall (Jerry Reed) who is a notorious Crime boss running the local County of Dunston, Georgia in to perpetual fear and disaster. Gator's job, in order to avoid getting his pappy in prison and his daughter shuffled in Foster homes, is to agree on being an informant to expose McCall's criminality.

Gator is a raw mixture of snappy one-liners, taught action, erotic innuendo and some abrupt violence. All of it is done pretty well due to the good performances of Reynolds, Weston, Reed, Ghostley and some of the supporting characters. Although Gator succeeds as a Drama/Comedy, a couple of violent scenes are tragic and nasty enough to make Quentin Tarantino wince. The Crime honcho, Bama McCall (Jerry Reed) is one sinister and dirty villain. Reed plays the role as if he was born to do it. With the deep subterranean drawl in his voice to the cackling evil laugh, he exudes a wickedness that makes you love to hate him. Jack Weston also deserves credit for playing the fumbling and tortured Irving Greenfield who gets beaten, ridiculed and humiliated regularly throughout the film. Aggie Maybank, (Lauren Hutton) plays Gator's love interest and desperately made partner in unraveling the goods on McCall. Hutton is not my favorite leading lady, but here her performance is passable. It's Burt Reynolds who's the main attraction here. His cool charisma, periodic humility, snide humor and tough guy wares makes this film worth watching. As a hardened ex-con, his Moral compass is put to the Litmus test in which he is able to see injustice and crime for what it really is. Also look for nice filming of the southern locales along with a great soundtrack.

Burt and Hutton

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 8 March 2020]

New York federal agent Irving Greenfield (Jack Weston) is sent to the Georgia swamps to take down Bama McCall (Jerry Reed) who runs the corrupt Dunston county. The main target is Bama's friend Gator McKlusky (Burt Reynolds) who is recently released from prison. Gator is forced to co-operate. When he's infiltrating Bama's organization, he falls for investigative TV reporter Aggie Maybank (Lauren Hutton).

After a wacky boat chase first act, the movie turns into a grinding meandering journey through a dark underworld. The tone change is topped out with a drugged out underage prostitute. Then the movie's tone is changed again with the introduction of Hutton into something wackier. The changing tones and meandering plot combine for a problematic thriller. It also doesn't help that they stayed around even after stealing the books. It's obvious that they need to get out of state and call up the cavalry. Staying at that beach house is simply asking for trouble. The movie does allow for some old fashion stunts and the story is mostly functional.

Reynold's Best

[mm-39 · 8/10 · 13 May 2003]

This is White Lightning with the budget. Great story, and action with a mix of directing that gives the viewer a feel for the south. A tailor made role for Burt Reynolds, which became a high water mark, he never could reach again. I love the part where the tall guy uses the sun roof in order to drive the car, and the beginning narration. Too bad this format was not in use for Sharky's Machine, he would have done better in the 80's. This movie made him a star of the 70's, and this film ages well, which is the test of time. 8 out of 10 rent it today.

Two plots

[snopes-881-42844 · 7/10 · 17 April 2021]

Crime plot 8/10 Underbelly of organized crime in the South vs a good ole boy outlaw.

Weakness is the New York element, which adds nothing except perhaps some sort of condescension.

Romantic plot 2/10 Feminist liberationist claptrap.

Disappointing sequel

[thenephilim-1 · 3/10 · 11 April 2021]

Have seen White Lightning a few times and really loved its southern exploitation vibes and the rough and sweaty filming.

Finally got a copy of Gator so did a double bill of White Lightning followed by Gator.

Yikes, I wish I had not done that, the character from WL appears to have been totally rewritten and is very different, in a bad way, gone is the down and dirty sweaty original replaced by a lighter more wise cracking character.

Really wish they stayed within the originals direction of an anti-hero and not went almost proto-Bandit with this one.