Guide Note

Walking Tall is a dramatic film based on the true story of Sheriff Buford Pusser and his quest to clean up the corruption in his home town. The original 1973 film was remade in 2004.

Fast Facts

1. Original film release: February 22, 1973
2. Director: Phil Karlson
3. Starring: Joe Don Baker and Elizabeth Hartman
4. Run time: 125 min
5. Remake release: April 2, 2004
6. Director: Kevin Bray
7. Starring: The Rock, Kristen Wilson, Johnny Knoxville, Neal McDonough
8. Run time: 87 min

Starring Joe Don Baker and Elizabeth Hartman, the original Walking Tall follows Buford Pusser when he moves home to Tennessee after retiring from a career in professional wrestling. After being elected Sheriff, Pusser cracks down on underground gambling rings and other corruption in his town, often by using wooden clubs and his own brute force to enforce the law.

The 21st century remake of Walking Tall stars an actual former pro-wrestler, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (although in the film he is returning to town from the military instead of a wrestling career), plus former Jackass star Johnny Knoxville. In this version, Johnson's character is named Chris Vaughn and the film takes place in Kitsap County, Washington instead of Adamsville, Tennessee. Generally, the original film received more favorable reviews than the remake.