Andy Griffith gives one of the best performances of his career as the socio-pathic John Wallace who is as evil as Griffith's other great character, Will Stockdale, is good. Johnny Cash makes a serviceable lawman. (Good casting: I'm afraid that if Mr. Griffith had played the lawman and Mr. Cash the villain, this would have been a poorer movie.) There are also great minor characters such as the witches. (Yes, witches--or conjurers as they might prefer.) I never thought of it before, but this movie probably echoes "Macbeth" even if it does not quite parallel it.
27 Reviews
A story Rich in Georgia History
melchizedeknm4 February 2007
Being from Coweta County myself, the setting of this story portrayed this quaint southern county in a very convincing way. Johnny Cash embodies the character of a Coweta County sheriff with wonderful aptitude, and holds together the story in a brilliant manner. And with Andy Griffith in the mix, nothing can go wrong. As a required assignment for high school freshman in Coweta County, I enjoyed this movie very much the first time I watched it five years ago, and it is still a very nice watch today.
So, if you're looking for a good cinematic portrayal of southern life, this is a good pick for you.
So, if you're looking for a good cinematic portrayal of southern life, this is a good pick for you.
Remake this Movie
joshuahickman16 August 2005
I agree with the other comments, Griffith and Cash are great. THis made for TV movie is surprisingly edgy. The "N" word, which is common in the book and for that time, was used repeatedly by Griffith, who was a stark contrast to Matlock and Mayberry. My biggest disappointment with this movie is that that is was not filmed in Coweta County, or at least they didn't use our courthouse. Also, they didn't use the Old Jail in Greenville, which still stands today. I'd like to see this movie remade on location, with a Hollywood budget, and at least one major start. The most important Character that would need to be played by a major star would most likely be John Wallace the villain. Over all, for a TV movie it's worth watching.
an awesome tv film
dtucker8629 September 2001
People who enjoyed Andy Griffith's tv show need to be warned. Watching his show and then watching this riveting film is like watching a fireworks display and then seeing a nuclear explosion! He plays one of the most loathsome villians you will ever see, a man without a conscience who truly believes he is above the law and can kill whoever he wants. It is one of the most frightning portrayals of a cold-blooded killer imaginable. On the other hand, Johnny Cash is one of the most likeable good guys imaginable as the honest, dogged righteous sheriff determined to bring Griffith to justice. Cash is one of the greatest singers of all time, but this film shows off his considerable acting ability as well. Its also a beautiful film to look at with its depiction of life in the South and the photography. I see this wonderful film as almost a morality play of sorts, ultimate good versus ultimate evil. One interesting footnote, there is an actress named Cindi Knight who plays the murder victim's wife, in real life she later married Andy Griffith! This film was available on video for a while, but is out of circulation. Tape it if its on tv
Surprisingly good, well acted Southern Gothic police procedural
coop-1621 June 1999
This little remembered made-for TV movie( based on a true story)is, in fact a taut, well acted thriller, with a rich sense of local color. Andy Griffith and Johnny Cash are, in fact very good actors, whose talents are rarely used Griffith gives what must rank as one of his greatest performances ..perhaps his most chilling since A Face in The Crowd, while Cash invests his Dogged, intelligent sheriff with quiet authority. Johnny's wife , June Carter Cash ( a fine actress, as she proved in The Apostle) is haunting as a backwoods "wise woman'( in fact, a Christian "witch")
major historical change
winner5523 April 2007
Some of the other reviewers have remarked surprise at the solid, serious performances of Griffith and Cash. Few people these days are aware that both these fine performers actually first appeared in film in very serious roles, Griffith in "Face in the Crowd" and Cash in "A Gunfight" - both solid dramatic films. Both Griffith and Cash have oddly complex histories as artists and oddly complex personalities as artists - far more so than many of their fans understand.
At any rate, as a TV film, this relies very heavily on the performances of these actors, and they do very well. Cash especially is quietly forceful, as if he were always holding a loaded gun but knows better than ever to pull the trigger. His character knows that to respond to Griffith's John Wallace with a vigilante's fury would be to make much the same mistake as Wallace himself: assuming that human will, and not the law, rules our fates. Since Cash's sheriff sides with and defends the law - and ultimately depends upon it - he represents a truly American heroism, devoted to country as much as God, and to the law for which the country stands. His tearing down of the Wallace empire is thus a major historical change in the lives of the people in the two counties involved - from aristocracy to democratic republic, a change as radical as the Civil War that essentially laid the foundations for it in the South.
One note of caution: Even for a television movie, I found the first third of film a bit disturbing: Wallace's casual viciousness is truly upsetting. He's not a 'villain' because he takes delight in the suffering of others - it's just that others' lives are utterly meaningless to him, except insofar as they contribute to his happiness as tools, or can be readily removed if they become obstacles. Thus his final prayer is not hypocritical - he honestly believes that all God wants of creation is to keep John Wallace happy - a reminder that just believing in God and professing Christ does not one make one a Christian - a reminder crucially important in the current era.
NOTE: After submitting the above I discovered Johnny Cash's real film debut, as a psycho killer in "Five Minutes to Live" - release date 1965, but probably filmed 1959. Very weird performance by Cash. A very young Ron Howard also appears in a brief but important role.
At any rate, as a TV film, this relies very heavily on the performances of these actors, and they do very well. Cash especially is quietly forceful, as if he were always holding a loaded gun but knows better than ever to pull the trigger. His character knows that to respond to Griffith's John Wallace with a vigilante's fury would be to make much the same mistake as Wallace himself: assuming that human will, and not the law, rules our fates. Since Cash's sheriff sides with and defends the law - and ultimately depends upon it - he represents a truly American heroism, devoted to country as much as God, and to the law for which the country stands. His tearing down of the Wallace empire is thus a major historical change in the lives of the people in the two counties involved - from aristocracy to democratic republic, a change as radical as the Civil War that essentially laid the foundations for it in the South.
One note of caution: Even for a television movie, I found the first third of film a bit disturbing: Wallace's casual viciousness is truly upsetting. He's not a 'villain' because he takes delight in the suffering of others - it's just that others' lives are utterly meaningless to him, except insofar as they contribute to his happiness as tools, or can be readily removed if they become obstacles. Thus his final prayer is not hypocritical - he honestly believes that all God wants of creation is to keep John Wallace happy - a reminder that just believing in God and professing Christ does not one make one a Christian - a reminder crucially important in the current era.
NOTE: After submitting the above I discovered Johnny Cash's real film debut, as a psycho killer in "Five Minutes to Live" - release date 1965, but probably filmed 1959. Very weird performance by Cash. A very young Ron Howard also appears in a brief but important role.
(True Story) (Great Cast) (Bad Cinematography Work)
gilliamclay-7730624 August 2023
Title says explains itself but to clarify, Andy Griffith plays a hellova evil antagonist and Johnny Cash is like a knight in aging armor a lady plays in it but that's a surprise itself. It plays dry but gritty when gritty wasn't at its fullest yet.
True crime story (For all you true crime podcasters) for that time of exposing corrupt law enforcement especially in the south is BOLD to say the least. During (Dixiecrat era).
But still, the camera work was terrible, same leveled shots, panoramic/too long shots after scene is concluded that didn't make sense, but non the less pretty damn good. Hop.
True crime story (For all you true crime podcasters) for that time of exposing corrupt law enforcement especially in the south is BOLD to say the least. During (Dixiecrat era).
But still, the camera work was terrible, same leveled shots, panoramic/too long shots after scene is concluded that didn't make sense, but non the less pretty damn good. Hop.
Great movie with a family connection!
huron_emm7 September 2012
I can't add anything to everyone's glowing praise for this movie and the riveting performances of Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith, I just wish it were more readily available. I was lucky enough to find a DVD copy in the short time it was released. Just to be different, mine is a personal review. My dad's family are from Heard County, GA. The conjure woman, Mayhayley Lancaster played by June Carter Cash was a friend of the family, in fact my uncle; as a young lawyer who went on to be a Circuit Court Judge for 50 years; represented Miz Mayhayley in her later years when her family tried to have her declared incompetent. She's buried in the same cemetery as my grandparents.
I know this review isn't something that will help people decide to see this movie, but others have extolled it's virtues better than I could have. It's just rare for a regular person to have a connection to a movie as good as this one, and I guess I wanted to brag about my family as well as the movie. Thank you for allowing my indulgence.
I know this review isn't something that will help people decide to see this movie, but others have extolled it's virtues better than I could have. It's just rare for a regular person to have a connection to a movie as good as this one, and I guess I wanted to brag about my family as well as the movie. Thank you for allowing my indulgence.
How powerful is the man who can't control himself?
SteveSkafte16 February 2012
Johnny Cash never got much opportunity to prove himself as an actor, but he always rose to the occasion when given the chance. With this film, and "The Pride of Jesse Hallam" (1981), he was given a pair of roles that had a depth of character he could really do something with. "Murder in Coweta County" is certainly the better of the two. Both films were directed by Gary Nelson. Besides Cash, there are two very good performances in Andy Griffith and Earl Hindman. Griffith is incredibly slimy and menacing here, playing way, way out of type. It wasn't his style to play the bad guy, but he does it marvelously here. The late Earl Hindman is excellent as well. Hindman was a character actor who is both remembered and nearly forgotten for the very same role - that of Wilson on the "Home Improvement" TV series. Remembered for his memorable performances, forgotten because his face was always at least partially hidden. June Carter Cash is fantastic and almost unrecognizable as the fortune teller.
"Murder in Coweta County" is a true story, and that information driving the script forward helps it keep from dipping too far into cliché. There are elements that feel a little standard, but nothing too distracting from the drama. The characterizations get under your skin, especially Johnny Cash is what might be the best performance he ever gave. It's a great little southern police/crime movie.
"Murder in Coweta County" is a true story, and that information driving the script forward helps it keep from dipping too far into cliché. There are elements that feel a little standard, but nothing too distracting from the drama. The characterizations get under your skin, especially Johnny Cash is what might be the best performance he ever gave. It's a great little southern police/crime movie.
One of the best TV movies I have ever seen
badbilly3d14 September 2003
I watched this movie for the first time in high school at a time when I usually couldn't stand ANY type of TV movie. My dad was watching it and I just happened to be passing through as it was starting, and I was totally transfixed by this movie. I absolutely LOVE this movie. Andy Griffith is best known as a "good guy", but in this movie he plays one of the BEST evil, deluded, just-plain bad guys in movie history, big or small screen, in my opinion. Johnny Cash plays a very solid supporting role in the movie as the sheriff who will not rest until the crime is solved; but this film is OWNED by Griffith. If you see it listed, watch it, for God's sake, watch it. You won't regret it.
Competent True-Crime Comfort Food
petrelet6 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This movie does not have -everything-. The characters are not complex. Team John (Wallace (Andy Griffith)) is composed of one devil and his hirelings and cowed servants. Team Lamar (Potts (Johnny Cash)) are the forces of good. Also, there is no real suspense. The narrator tells you one minute in that this is the story of the man who "brought (Wallace) down." The screenplay is competent but not stellar, and contains unintentional laugh lines, for instance from Wallace who keeps telling his hirelings to "shut up, you fool!" in front of Potts.
Also, trigger warning: Wallace uses the N-word enough to accentuate how bad he is, although you don't hear it as much from everyone else as you probably would have from the real white people in 1948 Georgia.
Having said that, though, there are virtues. It -seems-, judging from what I read in Wikipedia, to track the historical facts pretty well. You will think that movie-Wallace had a hell of a lot of chutzpah to just commit his crimes in front of people and leave the evidence lying around, but it seems the real Wallace did just that. June Carter Cash appears, to do a turn as a weird fortune-teller; the weird part is that this was apparently a real person who actually testified at the trial.
Following the criminal, procedural and legal trail is interesting enough. My chief unanswered question is whether it's really true that nobody in Georgia knew what a "corpus delicti" really is and thought that if you destroy the body you get away with murder, but Wallace might certainly have thought so. The acting is certainly good enough to put over the characters the movie is putting over. I found the end pretty satisfying (spoiler/trigger warning: it involves an execution).
I read yesterday something going back to Goethe that said that the three questions about a drama are: What were the authors trying to do? Did they do it? Was it worth it? I think they were trying to give us a relatively satisfying piece of true-crime comfort food, they did it, and as to whether it was worth it to show an arrogant rich guy who thought himself above the law brought down by a guy personifying the law, on a cold day in January 2018 it seems worth it to me.
At one point near the end, Wallace feeds Potts the "you're just like me" line that sociopaths always kind of believe, saying that "you're a powerful man who wouldn't like it taken from you." They never understand the difference between the kind of power you get from terrorizing and bribing people and the kind you get from inspiring and influencing people. Potts doesn't give a poetic riposte, though he could have, having earlier gotten seemingly half of Coweta county out to search for the body, not because they feared him or wanted money from him, but because they were believers. I don't always believe in the rule of law, but it's nice sometimes to curl up with a movie that does.
Also, trigger warning: Wallace uses the N-word enough to accentuate how bad he is, although you don't hear it as much from everyone else as you probably would have from the real white people in 1948 Georgia.
Having said that, though, there are virtues. It -seems-, judging from what I read in Wikipedia, to track the historical facts pretty well. You will think that movie-Wallace had a hell of a lot of chutzpah to just commit his crimes in front of people and leave the evidence lying around, but it seems the real Wallace did just that. June Carter Cash appears, to do a turn as a weird fortune-teller; the weird part is that this was apparently a real person who actually testified at the trial.
Following the criminal, procedural and legal trail is interesting enough. My chief unanswered question is whether it's really true that nobody in Georgia knew what a "corpus delicti" really is and thought that if you destroy the body you get away with murder, but Wallace might certainly have thought so. The acting is certainly good enough to put over the characters the movie is putting over. I found the end pretty satisfying (spoiler/trigger warning: it involves an execution).
I read yesterday something going back to Goethe that said that the three questions about a drama are: What were the authors trying to do? Did they do it? Was it worth it? I think they were trying to give us a relatively satisfying piece of true-crime comfort food, they did it, and as to whether it was worth it to show an arrogant rich guy who thought himself above the law brought down by a guy personifying the law, on a cold day in January 2018 it seems worth it to me.
At one point near the end, Wallace feeds Potts the "you're just like me" line that sociopaths always kind of believe, saying that "you're a powerful man who wouldn't like it taken from you." They never understand the difference between the kind of power you get from terrorizing and bribing people and the kind you get from inspiring and influencing people. Potts doesn't give a poetic riposte, though he could have, having earlier gotten seemingly half of Coweta county out to search for the body, not because they feared him or wanted money from him, but because they were believers. I don't always believe in the rule of law, but it's nice sometimes to curl up with a movie that does.
The facts of the movie are that the non-bigoted aspect of the movie is not about the murder of a young black man.
jasondanyael12 September 2003
This movie was notable for the sense that the word of a black man about what he witnessed and participated in, namely the burning and disposing of ashes of the body of the young white farmhand, who was killed for stealing cattle in the domain of Griffith's Wallace character. It is quite difficult to call a fact-based movie an allegory for a fictional tale, but the similarities are there. Truth be told, however Cash's Sheriff Potts' strength and honesty, to the point of protecting a family of blacks in pre-Civil Rights Georgia was remarkable in Southern law enforcement, especially RURAL law enforcement. Sheriffs and Supervisors were cash cows for the office-holders, much as the warden and correction officers in Shawshank Redemption. Beyond all this is the strength of the two leads. Griffith seemed eager to shed the skin of Andy Taylor once and for all, and this movie did that for me. Cash showed the side of himself that only his friends knew, the soft-spoken but firm Southern man who took no guff from people who broke the law, no matter their station in life. Interesting film, and in the terms of made-for-TV predating cable's dedication to excellence, this movie rates a 10.
Great true crime story of the late 1940's in which the American justice system triumphed.
grafspee7 May 2004
As a true crime buff I found this film a profoundly compelling story and one in which, considering the racial attitudes of the place and era, the testimony of two black men actually convicted a white and powerful land baron of murder. One of the two principal characters which are the centerpiece of this film is Andy Griffith who gives an outstanding performance as the self assured and dubious law abiding Christian John Wallace, owner of a great land empire located in Meriwether County of rural Georgia. The other is the late and legendary country western singer Johnny Cash as the fearless incorruptible southern sheriff Lamar Potts with a true craving for the principle of natural justice. When tenant farmer Wilson Turner steals one of Wallace's prized dairy cows the latter, along with three cronies, decide to enact their own justice on the perpetrator. They pursue Turner in a car chase across the county line into neighboring Coweta where Wallace corners Turner at a roadside cafe and viciously and fatally bludgeons him on the head with the butt of a gun. The witnessed crime comes under the jurisdiction of Coweta County sheriff Potts who after intensive investigation arrests Wallace and the others.
In the meantime Wallace with the coerced help of two of his black farm workers have already disposed of Turner's body by burning it and scattering the ashes in a nearby river. Confidently believing he has got away with murder because no body can be found Wallace and his cohorts are sent to trial but Potts and his lawmen have turned up evidence of bone fragments in ash deposits at the crime site and the accused are duly convicted and sentenced. Potts also shows his relentless pursuing of others involved in the crime by arresting Meriwether County Sheriff Hardy Collier as an accessory after the fact. Griffith and Cash couldn't have been more perfect choices for this film in their respective roles. The former, I have always been used to seeing as the smiling friendly character of "The Andy Griffith Show" and many other films, but whose great acting talents in this instance show he can play just as well the evil, corrupt and reprehensible individual at the expense of his popular image. Cash for his part as the slow southern drawl talking lawman demonstrates his capacity as a serious and capable actor in addition to his already established singing talents. I am led to believe he was chosen for this part because he resembled the original Lamar Potts. This is a film which deserves a greater audience than it has got and shows that with truth and honor justice can prevail for all as equals.
In the meantime Wallace with the coerced help of two of his black farm workers have already disposed of Turner's body by burning it and scattering the ashes in a nearby river. Confidently believing he has got away with murder because no body can be found Wallace and his cohorts are sent to trial but Potts and his lawmen have turned up evidence of bone fragments in ash deposits at the crime site and the accused are duly convicted and sentenced. Potts also shows his relentless pursuing of others involved in the crime by arresting Meriwether County Sheriff Hardy Collier as an accessory after the fact. Griffith and Cash couldn't have been more perfect choices for this film in their respective roles. The former, I have always been used to seeing as the smiling friendly character of "The Andy Griffith Show" and many other films, but whose great acting talents in this instance show he can play just as well the evil, corrupt and reprehensible individual at the expense of his popular image. Cash for his part as the slow southern drawl talking lawman demonstrates his capacity as a serious and capable actor in addition to his already established singing talents. I am led to believe he was chosen for this part because he resembled the original Lamar Potts. This is a film which deserves a greater audience than it has got and shows that with truth and honor justice can prevail for all as equals.
Worth the watch
gg-8842429 November 2020
Andy Griffith as a Southern tyrant much like Dennis Hopper in "Paris Trout"
merklekranz15 December 2010
Great casting against type, with Andy Griffith as a tyrant who makes his own rules and bends the law, much like Dennis Hopper in "Paris Trout". The 1948 rural Meriweather County Georgia setting is convincing, and the backwoods characters seem authentic. Johnny Cash plays the no nonsense Sheriff of nearby Coweta County, who is investigating a murder. "Wherever you dumped the body it better be hid good" is Cash's challenge, while Griffith expounds "You can't find the body if there ain't no body". The murder investigation is fast moving, logical, and relentless. In the end, intimidation, bribery, and bloodshed, fail to stem the tide towards a very satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended. One of the best TV movies of all time. - MERK
My personal favorite TV movie of all time!!
jtp2145513 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
If you loved this great TV movie, you would love the book even better!! The ''Murder in Coweta county'' book goes into much more detail than the movie does, but i realize the budget for this movie was low as most ''made for TV movies'' are. I have read the book from cover to cover 3 times.
The acting was very good in this movie, but i have to admit as was kinda taken aback seeing Andy Griffith being a villain, i have saw all of the ''Andy Griffith shows'' umpteen times and was so used to him being a kind hearted and friendly sheriff of Mayberry. I was kinda in shock to see him a very bad villain. Also, they should have had Andy Griffith to wear a skull cap or shave his head for the whole movie instead of at the end for the execution,as the real John Wallace was bald headed.
I was also extremely impressed with acting job of the late Johnny Cash, and i personally know people that knew the real Lamar Potts, and he was indeed a very soft spoken determined Sheriff. (I live only 15 miles from where the murder actually occurred)
I hope i can find this movie on video again, i had the VCR tape at one time, but it was stolen from me. It has been so long since i have watched it. I suppose my attraction for this great film is made stronger because i live so close to where it actually occurred.
The acting was very good in this movie, but i have to admit as was kinda taken aback seeing Andy Griffith being a villain, i have saw all of the ''Andy Griffith shows'' umpteen times and was so used to him being a kind hearted and friendly sheriff of Mayberry. I was kinda in shock to see him a very bad villain. Also, they should have had Andy Griffith to wear a skull cap or shave his head for the whole movie instead of at the end for the execution,as the real John Wallace was bald headed.
I was also extremely impressed with acting job of the late Johnny Cash, and i personally know people that knew the real Lamar Potts, and he was indeed a very soft spoken determined Sheriff. (I live only 15 miles from where the murder actually occurred)
I hope i can find this movie on video again, i had the VCR tape at one time, but it was stolen from me. It has been so long since i have watched it. I suppose my attraction for this great film is made stronger because i live so close to where it actually occurred.
Murder In Coweta County
dbaugh180528 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Many parts of the movie were filmed in my hometown of Griffin, Georgia. Andy stayed at the local Holiday Inn. The cast and crew were excellent guest and very friendly while staying here. Several local people are in the movie. This movie is based on true facts. (Spoiler) John Wallace was the first white man to be convicted and sentenced to death in the state of Georgia on the testimony of a black man.
There were some tense times during the making of the movie. Descendents of John Wallace still lived in Meriwether County at that time (1983). Word got around that they were not too happy with the fact that a movie was being made about John Wallace. It was reported that some cars used in the movie had been damaged. Not sure if this really happened or was just hype for the movie. I think TV Guide even had a story about it.
I have an old tape from TV of the movie but would love to have it on DVD or new tape if it should ever be re-released.
There were some tense times during the making of the movie. Descendents of John Wallace still lived in Meriwether County at that time (1983). Word got around that they were not too happy with the fact that a movie was being made about John Wallace. It was reported that some cars used in the movie had been damaged. Not sure if this really happened or was just hype for the movie. I think TV Guide even had a story about it.
I have an old tape from TV of the movie but would love to have it on DVD or new tape if it should ever be re-released.
Would love to find the video
epinner200025 June 2004
This was an excellent movie. I've been searching everywhere trying to find it on video. The last time I saw it on television was the mid 90's. So many t.v. networks show the same ole movies over and over again, I would love to see this shown again. This is a movie that they should consider showing again!!! After the unfortunate passing of Johnny Cash, I think it would be even more wonderful to have it shown again. Andy Griffith demonstrated that he indeed was a great actor. This was a role so unlike the ones he usually plays. Who would have thought that Sheriff Taylor would end of on the other side of the law.(Smile) If you know where I might find it on video or DVD, please let me know!!!!
Surprisingly shocking
Sean8431 March 2000
"My momma always told me, Do what you have to do, just never let your conscience get in the way." - Wallace (Griffith). The movie is surprisingly shocking. The movie showcases both Griffith and Cash in non-typical roles; Sheriff Andy Taylor on the other side of the Law, and The Man in Black walks behind the badge. The movie is based on a true story, and most of the actors are convincing in their roles. Though the quality is rather grainy and the sound a little muffled, you will still probably enjoy it. It is similar to "All the King's Men", but only ninety minutes of your time. 9 out of 10.
Just another vote for "what a great movie".
mjk_31910 January 2017
There are so many good reviews and plot summaries of this film I won't repeat them I just want to add my voice to say I was so impressed when I first watched this film I could not believe it was a made for TV movie. The script (adapted from the book of the same title) is well done, the photography is excellent and the acting is top notch...the entire cast. With such good reviews on all the sites I am amazed that this is only available as a bare bones DVD-R. I guess the quality does not count as much as the quantity of sales. I would love to get a "restored" Blu-ray version with SDH but that is not likely to happen. The picture and sound are very good and it does not show its age like some made for TV movies from the same period. It is in full screen (as that was TV in the 80"s)and I still count it as one of my favorite true crime films. Be warned this is about rural Georgia in 1948 so there is use of the N-word, not excessive but there are some scenes where it shows up, but is necessary to the film.
True to the book
drystyx18 June 2021
I read the book by Margaret Barnes back in the twentieth century, and I realized it was "book material". I only recently saw the film, and it was very true to the book.
The book appears to be based on the real events. It's the story of a political kingpin who rules with an iron and terrible hand.
Andy Griffith plays this kingpin in a rare "bad guy" role. Johnny Cash plays the sheriff of an adjoining county who finds that the kingpin (a man named Wallace) murdered a man in this sheriff's county, Coweta County.
I should make it clear this is a historic event. It was in Georgia in 1948. Roads were rarely paved, and there were many places to hide. It was a different world, and Georgia was Georgia. I can't say much more. It's one of the few states I have never visited, and certainly never saw in 1948.
It's remarkable that the sheriff of Coweta County did what he did. The motivation was a Christian one, as reported at the time, for the sheriff. What motivated the cruel Wallace? I haven't any idea, but it is what it is.
The book appears to be based on the real events. It's the story of a political kingpin who rules with an iron and terrible hand.
Andy Griffith plays this kingpin in a rare "bad guy" role. Johnny Cash plays the sheriff of an adjoining county who finds that the kingpin (a man named Wallace) murdered a man in this sheriff's county, Coweta County.
I should make it clear this is a historic event. It was in Georgia in 1948. Roads were rarely paved, and there were many places to hide. It was a different world, and Georgia was Georgia. I can't say much more. It's one of the few states I have never visited, and certainly never saw in 1948.
It's remarkable that the sheriff of Coweta County did what he did. The motivation was a Christian one, as reported at the time, for the sheriff. What motivated the cruel Wallace? I haven't any idea, but it is what it is.
Very well acted 40's era movie. Cash and Griffith are great.
baluslvr30 June 2001
Based on a true story, this 1940's era movie tells of the Kingdom, where in Meriwether county John Wallace (Griffith) can do no wrong- until he kills a white sharecropper for stealing one of his prized cows in Coweta county.
"But you didn't kill him in Meriwether, you killed him across the line, with eight Coweta witnesses and a sheriff that won't quit."--Meriwether county sheriff speaking to Wallace about Coweta county sheriff- Lamar Potts. Johnny Cash plays Sheriff Lamar Potts, a lawman who isn't one of Wallace's men and doesn't care about his kingdom so he sets out to prove that Wallace can't get away with murder in his county.
On a scale of 1-10, I give Murder in Coweta County a 9.
"But you didn't kill him in Meriwether, you killed him across the line, with eight Coweta witnesses and a sheriff that won't quit."--Meriwether county sheriff speaking to Wallace about Coweta county sheriff- Lamar Potts. Johnny Cash plays Sheriff Lamar Potts, a lawman who isn't one of Wallace's men and doesn't care about his kingdom so he sets out to prove that Wallace can't get away with murder in his county.
On a scale of 1-10, I give Murder in Coweta County a 9.
Murder In Coweta County (1983)
mfnmbvp7 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Ridiculously unheard of film from 1983 combines two great talents of that century together almost flawlessly. Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith play off of one another perfectly, they both fit their roles so well that it seems like it almost comes to them naturally, which is most impressive from Griffith who plays an evil character so well you'd think he was the most evil man in the world. Surely this can't be our lovable protagonist from the self-titled 'The Andy Griffith Show'. Somehow he makes it work. Sure, some of our other minor characters are dumbed-down just a bit, and their dialog doesn't roll off the tongue as sweet as it should, but this film is highly enjoyable, it isn't excruciatingly violent or have hordes of swearing, so it almost retains that wholesome made for television feel to it, but I don't know if it was or not.
I was lucky enough to stumble across this film, I don't have any idea why it is so unknown, with the star-power that it has behind it. Watch out for June Carter in a smaller role. If you have the opportunity to see this film, I suggest you do so.
MURDER IN COWETA COUNTY -----9/10.
I was lucky enough to stumble across this film, I don't have any idea why it is so unknown, with the star-power that it has behind it. Watch out for June Carter in a smaller role. If you have the opportunity to see this film, I suggest you do so.
MURDER IN COWETA COUNTY -----9/10.
Southern Gothic defined
proeditprodesign28 February 2024
Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith are outstanding as the representatives, respectively, of good and evil. In my opinion, this movie contains the best acting of their careers. The accountrements of the late 1940s--automobiles, dress, and architecture--give the film a fine period feel. (The only mistake I could see was a Georgia state flag bearing the Confederate battle cross, seven years too early.) An added treat was June Carter Cash, Johnny's wife, playing a country conjurer who reads people's fortunes and communes with the dead, including her brother, who was killed in World War I. When Johnny Cash learns of her deceased brother and expressed his condolences, she tells him, "It's alright, we still talk "
one of the best tv films ever made
dtucker8613 September 2003
Warning: Spoilers
I was very saddened to hear that Johnny Cash had died yesterday. We lost two giants in one day, him and John Ritter. Cash was a true country music legend, the only man to ever be inducted into the country music hall of fame and the rock and roll hall of fame. He was a wonderful singer, but he was also a fine actor as well. Murder In Coweta County was the best acting job that he ever did. I only wish this film was more widely available because it showcases the talents of both Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith. This film is based on a book by Judith Ann Barnes that I read in college. This movie is faithful to her fine book and really does it justice. It is a beautiful film to watch and really captures the south as it was in 1948. Andy Griffith played a villian in several films and this was his best "baddie" part. It is even better then when he was Lonesome Rhodes. He is evil with a human face as John Wallace the head of "the Kingdom". This is a man who has no soul and no conscience. The Bible talks of evil men "their consciences seared as though with a hot iron". He murders Wilson Turner in cold blood. He beats out his brains, throws him down a well and then burns his body and scatters his ashes in the river. This is a truly evil man. Johnny Cash is Lamar Potts, the righteous sheriff who brings this monster to justice. He sees Wallace for what he is. "John Wallace didn't buy pews or barns, he bought people". This is a man who is determined to see justice done "I want him...he isn't getting away with this" he says in another scene. It is almost like a Biblical morality play. Ultimate good against ultimate bad. It is only by sheer luck that an informer tips off Sheriff Potts about Wallace burning the body. They find a few ashes and bone chips stil floating in the stream and a chunk of brain in the well where they threw Turner's body. There were only enough remains to fill a small box but it was still corpus delecti, proof of a murder. SPOILER ALERT...There is an old Japanese proverb that evil ultimately destroys itself, the final scene of the murder trial of John Wallace is proof of that. He has a great lawyer who could have gotten him off but insists on taking the stand and telling the jury a ridiculous story about how Turner's death was an "accident". He actually believes he can do this and get away with it, he is that deluded. His lawyer tells him at the end, "John, you just buried yourself". John Wallace is convicted for the murder of Wilson Turner, the judge tells him "On the 30th day of July between the hours of ten am and 2 pm, you will be put to death by means of electrocution". The final scene shows him as he is strapped into the electric chair (back then they didn't have this appeal bs like they do today where killers die of old age on death row, you were EXECUTED!!!). I cannot think of a film that had a happier ending. Rest in Heaven Johnny, I'm glad your with June now. I hope you sing for the angels.
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