Not to be confused with the popular movies of the same name, Walking Tall ? The Complete Series is a two-disc set containing seven episodes made for NBC television in 1981. Bo Svenson, who replaced Joe Don Baker as Sheriff... more » Buford Pusser for the 1975 sequel to the original 1973 film (the 2004 remake featured Chris "the Rock" Vaughan), stars again as the no-nonsense rural lawman who uses a high-falutin' moral sensibility and a large club to keep order. Svenson is no Olivier (or Baker, for that matter), but pretty much anyone would have a tough time lifting this show above its level of mediocrity. What we have here is cornpone with a conscience, The Dukes of Hazzard with principles, tackling big issues (teen drug use in "The Killing of McNeal Country's Children," racism in "The Protectors of the People," industrial pollution in "Deadly Impact") with all the subtlety and nuance of Pusser's two-by-four, featuring villains who are beady-eyed, white trash lowlifes, mealy-mouthed corporate liars, or other stereotypes. And while Pusser freely delivers sententious pronouncements like "the law is this county's gotta stand for something other than just right or wrong" and lectures the townspeople about what's best for them and his families ("I'd think about that if I were you"), when things go too far he's only too ready to take matters into his own hands and bust a few heads, the law be damned. On the other hand, it's fun to see pre-stardom guest turns by actors like Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger from the Nightmare on Elm Street films) and Eric Stoltz, along with former NFL star Merlin Olsen, who does a decent job as a former friend-turned-bad guy in "The Hitman." Although there is plenty of violence, none of it's particularly grisly by new millennium standards, and Walking Tall's touting of traditional family values will certainly have its adherents. The DVD set incudes no bonus features. --Sam Graham« less
"I thought they produced 13 episodes but it appears only 7 episodes are in the set. My memory must not be serving me too well. I remember this show coming on NBC as a mid-season replacement (1980-81) on Saturday nights. The late Brandon Tartikoff talks about this series in his book The Last Great Ride and how he couldn't understand why it wasn't a success with the conservative tide sweeping the country on the heels of Reagan's election."
Forgotten part of the 'Walking Tall Saga'
Glen Jacobs | Texas | 03/27/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"For me, Bo Svenson IS Buford Pusser. Of course Joe Don Baker played the role in the first (And many say the BEST) film.
But growing up in the late 70's and early 80's, it was Svenson's version that I saw the most. Svenson played the part on film, in Part II:Walking Tall, and Final Chapter:Walking Tall.
And in 1981, Svenson picked up the club again for this short lived TV show.
I was 12 when the show came out and I loved it. I had seen the 2nd and 1st film (in that order) and the story hooked me. I watched every show.(Which is not a big deal, since only 7 were made, but still.)
When I found out the DVD set of the show was coming out, I jumped at it. But I knew that what I loved at age 12 might seem silly now.
That is not the case. If you are a fan of the film series, and not a hardcore "Joe Don is Buford" fan, then you should enjoy this try at a TV show.
I don't think there is a 'clunker' in the set. Sure, some of the plots have been done before, and you may figure out the 'twists' early on, but they are great fun to watch.
Svenson makes a great Buford. Some say he looked more like him then Joe Don did.
The theme song stayed with me all these years, and it was a joy to hear it once again.
And some posters have already mentioned the great guest stars-here's one they missed: Chuck Conners. Though he doesn't go 'one on one' with Svenson's Buford, he is good in his role.
if you are a 'Walking Tall' fan, this is a must buy!"
Action Packed!
B. Mitchell | 03/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Loved this series! I'm glad it was released on DVD. The writing was great for the time period and Bo Svensen did Buford Pusser justice. The Music was perfect for the show. Edd Kaleoff is a master. Enjoyed the title theme as well brilliantly sung by Brad Mercer. Will enjoy this DVD for years to come."
Memory
TV Tuner | USA | 03/08/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Actually I find this show more interesting and action packed than I originally remember after viewing the show 25 years ago.Its amazing this show made it to DVD,after its early cancellation and low ratings...I am thinking the recent Walking Tall movies (The Rock)have led the maker to seek some financial gain.And for me thats ok....glad to have this show on DVD and I hope everyone buys a copy.Its not the horrid disaster that it has been widely reported all these years."
Mediocre TV Sheriff Show from the 70s
John A Lee III | San Antonio, TX | 07/09/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The original WALKING TALL movie shocked people of the time with its violence and straight forward, no-nonsense route to justice. To a lesser degree, the sequels tried to do the same thing. In the case of this series, an attempt was made to commercialize the idea. The attempt was not all that successful.
The movie worked because of a desire to see justice and because of a frustration with the system. In that context, Sheriff Buford Pusser's violence made sense. In the TV series, however, it is another matter. The violence and disregard of the system is present just for the sake of excitement.
The acting is a mixed bag as are the plots. There has been much worse which has lasted longer on TV. This show, only lasted for 7 episodes. That was enough.
Episode synopses follow:
The Killing of McNeal County's Children - Someone is selling PCP cigarettes in the local school and Sheriff Pusser is on the warpath trying to shut down sales. He wants action and will let the law catch up as best it can.
The Protectors of the People - Tensions flare when some white supremacists try to incite racial violence and blame the black community for crimes they committed themselves. It comes to a head when a black deputy is framed for raping a white woman.
Kidnapped - A bank robbery goes wrong and the head robber gets shot and arrested. That leaves his sons looking for a way to spring him. They decide to stage a kidnapping to get their dad back.
The Hitman - A big time vice operator is trying to get set up again in McNeal County and the Sheriff is making things difficult. To get around those difficulties, a hit man is hired. This hit man is an old friend of the Sheriff.
Company Town- Sheriff Pusser investigates a missing man from a mining town. His wife is convinced that he has been killed because he was speaking out for better working questions. The more the sheriff looks around, the more crooked the setup seems.
Deadly Impact - The sheriff gets suspicious when a lady is run off the road. She is a pollution whistleblower and that raises eyebrows.
The Fire Within - A man with a gunshot wound runs the sheriff of the road. It turns out he is involved in a dangerous gun running operation. Before the accident, the victim made a confession to a priest but the priest refuses to divulge any information which might help the case.