White Lightning (1973): Cast, Ratings & Plot
White Lightning is a 1973 action drama directed by Joseph Sargent, starring Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty and R.G. Armstrong. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes. Critics gave it 60 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- Joseph Sargent
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- United Artists
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is White Lightning About?
The premise of White Lightning without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Following his brother’s death, Gator McKlusky is released from prison with a mission for revenge in the dangerous world of moonshining. He seeks vengeance against Sheriff Connors, a corrupt lawman who controls the illegal alcohol trade. Gator’s quest leads him into a violent confrontation with Connors and his gang, as he fights to expose the criminal network and bring them to justice.
White Lightning Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- moonshine
- car chase
- southern gothic
- hixploitation
- action hero
- shootout
- gunfight
- violence
- disarming someone
- showdown
- female removes her dress
- kiss
+38 more Show fewer
- love interest
- female removes her clothes
- shooting
- policeman
- eye patch
- two word title
- cult film
- 1970s
- loss of brother
- activist
- hippie
- anti authority
- revenge
- revolver
- shotgun
- lake
- pier
- scene during opening credits
- small town
- wisecrack humor
- womanizer
- secretary
- lawyer
- courthouse
- law
- pool table
- federal agent
- cigar smoking
- reverse footage
- murder
- death
- brutality
- mercilessness
- rescue
- escape
- escape attempt
- deception
- betrayal
White Lightning Cast
Burt Reynolds leads the cast, with Ned Beatty and R.G. Armstrong. Directed by Joseph Sargent; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Joseph Sargent
Also Starring in White Lightning
· 6 moreMore from Joseph Sargent
More films directed by Joseph Sargent, best-rated first: Jaws: The Revenge, Sweet Nothing in My Ear, Sybil and Warm Springs.
White Lightning Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave White Lightning 60 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 60 Metascore
User score 7.8
See on Metacritic
White Lightning Plot Summary
What happens in White Lightning 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
Bobby “Gator” McKlusky sits behind bars in an Arkansas state prison for running white lightning moonshine. When he learns his younger brother, Donny, was killed by Sheriff J. C. Connors, he tries to escape but is quickly recaptured. The sheriff is taking money from local moonshiners, and Gator agrees to go undercover for the United States Department of the Treasury in their corruption and smuggling investigation. But his motive is revenge for his brother’s murder, and he has no intention of gathering evidence against his fellow moonshiners.
Full summary
The whole story of White Lightning, scene by scene
White Lightning Trailers & Videos
6 videos: 1 trailer and 5 clips.
- Clip Movie CLIP - Driving Free
- Clip Movie CLIP - Prison Break
- Clip Gator's Prison Break
- Clip Gator Strikes A Deal
How Well Do You Know White Lightning?
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
Which actor portrays Bobby "Gator" McKlusky in the film?
Cars in White Lightning
64 cars on screen, including the 1971 Ford Custom 500 and the 1971 Mercury Monterey.
-
1971 Ford Custom 500 Main role -
1971 Mercury Monterey Main role -
1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Important role -
International Harvester 1210 Important role
White Lightning Also Known As
23 alternative titles, including “McKlusky” and “Gator 1: White Lightning”.
- Also known as
-
- McKlusky
- Gator 1: White Lightning
- 白色闪电
- Der Tiger hetzt die Meute
- Los traficantes
- McKlusky, metà uomo metà odio
- Les Bootleggers
- Sob o Signo da Vingança
- Белая молния
- Beyaz Şimşek
- Kör hårt
- McKlusky!
+11 more Show fewer
- McKlusky, o indomável
- Biała błyskawica
- 白熱
- Olcsó Whiskey
- Ορκίστηκα εκδίκηση
- Valkea salama
- Hvid feber
- Бялата мълния
- Na straně zákona
- 霹雳猛虎
- מפקח מקלסקי
Seen White Lightning?
Movies Like White Lightning
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including White Lightnin’ Road, White Lightnin’ and Gator.
White Lightning FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of White Lightning, each answered in a sentence.
How long is White Lightning?
White Lightning runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was White Lightning released?
White Lightning was released on August 8, 1973.
Who directed White Lightning?
White Lightning was directed by Joseph Sargent.
More films by Joseph Sargent Who is in the cast of White Lightning?
White Lightning stars Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty and R.G. Armstrong, among 10 credited actors.
How is White Lightning rated?
White Lightning has 60 on Metacritic.
Does White Lightning have a post-credit scene?
No. White Lightning has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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