Murder in Coweta County

Rating:
Summary: Unexpected pleasure
Review: This is a well done made-for-tv movie from the early 80's. The movie is faithful to the source material, namely a book of the same name. Th story is a true tale of a man who was the king of a county in rural Georgia in the latee 1940's. The trial aspect of the film raises the question of whether a man can be tried for capital murder without a body. True, this is not bizarre in today's world but it was 50 years ago.

The performances of both Andy Griffith and Johnny Cash are fun to watch. Andy Griffith plays against form as the amoral and ruthless John Wallace. No Andy Taylor and Opie here. Johnny Cash puts in a fine performance as Sheriff Lamar Potts, the hero of the story. Look for Earl Hindman, Wilson of "Home Improvement", to step out from behind the fence.

Rating:
Summary: Unexpected pleasure
Review: This is a well done made-for-tv movie from the early 80's. The movie is faithful to the source material, namely a book of the same name. Th story is a true tale of a man who was the king of a county in rural Georgia in the latee 1940's. The trial aspect of the film raises the question of whether a man can be tried for capital murder without a body. True, this is not bizarre in today's world but it was 50 years ago.

The performances of both Andy Griffith and Johnny Cash are fun to watch. Andy Griffith plays against form as the amoral and ruthless John Wallace. No Andy Taylor and Opie here. Johnny Cash puts in a fine performance as Sheriff Lamar Potts, the hero of the story. Look for Earl Hindman, Wilson of "Home Improvement", to step out from behind the fence.

Rating:
Summary: Murder in Coweta County
Review: This is an excellent movie. Both Andy Griffin and Johnny Cash are excellent actors in this movie. I think this is one of the best I have seen Andy act in with the exception of the Andy Griffin Shows.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Performances From Cash And Griffith
Review: This movie is amazingly good. Originally made for television in 1982, this film is based on the true story of a brutal murder that took place in Georgia in 1948. The production is beautifully directed and shot, and the sets, props, and vehicles look very authentic; above all else the acting is superb from the entire cast.

Playing against his stereotype is Andy Griffith as John Wallace, the "King" of Merriwether County, Georgia. Wallace is a brutal man with an iron grip on the community. The pivotal murder is cleverly staged, but Wallace's fundamental error is to become embroiled in a car chase that takes him into Coweta County, where the murder actually occurs.

In Coweta County the Sheriff is Lamar Potts, portrayed with strength and nuance by Johnny Cash, who refuses to be intimidated by Wallace. The investigation process and courtroom scenes are particularly well done. The climax occurs when Wallace takes the stand in his own defense with an unreal account of the killing.

Particularly noteworthy are the scenes with the psychic, who I knew I recognized, but couldn't put my finger on until the very end of the movie due to the excellent makeup (and acting). The surprise for me was that the psychic was none other than June Carter Cash, who shines in her role. The chilling portrayal by Griffith is amazing, and is visually stunning at the end as his head is shaved and he is strapped to the electric chair. (It's also a visual wake up call to see Johnny Cash in a color other than black.) The entire supporting cast is particularly good.

This is a very powerful movie, not corny or over dramatized: the story and acting are as powerful as any other crime drama I have ever seen. This movie is relatively obscure, but it is worth searching for.

I could not recommend this film more highly.