Goin' South (1978): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch
Goin' South is a 1978 comedy western starring Jack Nicholson and Mary Steenburgen. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $7.4 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 1 nomination, including New Star of the Year – Actress at the Golden Globes 1979. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic. Stream it on Hoopla and YouTube Free, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Goin' South About?
The premise of Goin' South without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A condemned man's chance at redemption arrives when Julia Tate intervenes, saving him from the gallows. He must then reform and search for gold on her land, a condition of his reprieve. As they work together, a partnership develops into an unexpected romance. However, they face challenges from a relentless deputy and Henry's former gang, all while striving to find their treasure and secure their happiness.
Goin' South Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- 1860s
- dark comedy
- battle of the sexes
- post american civil war
- anti hero
- small town
- western town
- saved from hanging
- marriage of convenience
- directed by star
- texas
- outlaw
+38 more Show fewer
- gold mine
- gold
- american civil war veteran
- romantic rivalry
- deputy sheriff
- horse chase
- gang
- horse thief
- eminent domain
- greed
- double cross
- shootout
- cave in
- drunkenness
- tied to a bed
- virgin
- rape
- stagecoach
- bank robbery
- marriage
- hanging
- spinster
- bare chested male
- implied nudity
- implied male nudity
- man undresses
- urine
- talking about sex
- bathing
- jail
- reference to william quantrill
- crossing a river on a horse
- lantern
- horse drawn carriage
- lightning
- eviction notice
- sleeping in a barn
- implied rape
Where to Watch Goin' South
Stream it on Hoopla and YouTube Free, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
Hoopla 
YouTube Free 
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
Goin' South Cast
Jack Nicholson leads the cast, with Mary Steenburgen.
Goin' South Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Goin' South 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 69% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 49%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 52 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 58% User score
See on TMDB
Goin' South Plot Summary
What happens in Goin' South from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As Henry Lloyd Moon, a notorious outlaw with a history of minor crimes, prepares to meet his fate on the gallows in Longhorn, Texas, the townspeople gather in anticipation of his execution. Unbeknownst to them, a peculiar law in this dusty settlement offers a lifeline for Moon: if a lady agrees to marry him and be responsible for his reformation, he would receive a stay of execution. The locals observe Moon with a blend of fascination and distaste as he faces the noose, but in a twist of fate, an elderly woman steps forward to propose. However, her swift demise adds yet another layer of drama to the grim spectacle.
Full summary
The whole story of Goin' South, scene by scene
Goin' South Box Office
Goin' South grossed $7.4 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$7.4M
- US & Canada
- $7.4M
Goin' South Awards & Nominations
Goin' South won 1 award from 1 nomination, including New Star of the Year – Actress at the Golden Globes 1979.
1 win1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Golden Globes 1979 1 win · 1 nomination- Won New Star of the Year – Actress – Mary Steenburgen
Goin' South Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.
- Trailer Cinématographe 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray Promo Trailer
- Clip Clip
How Well Do You Know Goin' South?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What crime is Henry Lloyd Moon facing at the beginning of the movie?
Goin' South Also Known As
19 alternative titles, including “Der Galgenstrick” and “Verso il sud”.
- Also known as
-
- Der Galgenstrick
- Verso il sud
- En route vers le sud
- Camino del sur
- Irány délre!
- מבוקש נשוי או תלוי
- A Caminho do Sul
- Com a Corda no Pescoço
- На юг
- Idąc na południe
- Прямуючи на південь
- Med rebet om halsen
+7 more Show fewer
- Spre sud
- 飞越温柔窝
- Utečeme na jih
- 바람둥이 길들이기
- Camí del sud
- Güneye Yolculuk
- Häng inte här Henry Moon
Seen Goin' South?
Movies Like Goin' South
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Go West, South of Heaven, West of Hell and Texas.
Goin' South FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Goin' South, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Goin' South?
Goin' South runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was Goin' South released?
Goin' South was released on October 6, 1978.
Who is in the cast of Goin' South?
Goin' South stars Jack Nicholson and Mary Steenburgen.
Where can I watch Goin' South?
In the US, Goin' South is streaming on Hoopla and YouTube Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
How much did Goin' South make at the box office?
Goin' South grossed $7.4 million worldwide.
How is Goin' South rated?
Goin' South has 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.
What awards did Goin' South win?
Goin' South won 1 award from 1 nomination, including New Star of the Year – Actress at the Golden Globes 1979.
Does Goin' South have a post-credit scene?
No. Goin' South has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
