When critiquing Coward of the County, I must keep in mind that it is a made for TV movie based on a country song. I had a difficult time connecting with the "lead character" because I never was clear if that character was to be Matthew (Kenny Rogers) or Tommy. The film opens with Matthew giving a most unusual (and ineffective IMO) sermon about turning the other cheek. Why not start the film with "the final words my brother said to Tommmy"? A little more background of Tommy's character earlier in the film might have served better to draw the audience more into the character. The films trudges along with the outbreak of WWII and all the young men in town joining up and Tommy staying behind to meet Becky. It seems there was a lot of filler leading up to when "the Gatlin boys" came calling. Much of the space was filled with Matthew's shortcomings as a preacher, which had little to do with the story of the "Coward of the County". Overall, the film is good enough for TV and the acting was not bad. It is just slow at times and takes "the scenic route" in dealing with Tommy reaching the decisions that he does.
14 Reviews
Mixed bag to say the least.......
deh-51 February 2005
Warning: Spoilers
In the late 1970s there was a series of low budget rural romance movies, with a sad plot device. Probably the best of this undistinguished lot was Ode to Billy Joe. A very adult film in a sweet package based upon a hit song became a moderate success. By 1981 this genre was mercifully dead, when someone got the bright idea to make Coward of the County. Younger viewers may not remember the Kenny Rogers song of the same name. It was a smash hit about a coward who's lady love is raped and then goes after the attackers. The movie follows the song.
At age 10 Tommy's father died in prison. On his deathbed Tommy's father made him promise to stay away from fighting. The intention was that Tommy not grow up to be like his father, but as he grows up it just makes him appear to be cowardly. When WWII breaks out all of the young men enlist but Tommy which angers most of the town. He finally finds love but soon she is raped by the town bullies. Tommy and his uncle fight them, and in so doing Tommy finds redemption. After marrying Becky he goes off to fight in the war.
At least Ode to Billy Joe had an ambitious conceit, it tried to solve the mystery of the song. The only conceit here is singer Kenny Rogers in the pivotal role as the town preacher and uncle of the "cowardly" boy, His role of mentor and protector of his nephew was quite nice, although not fleshed out completely. Kenny Rogers was a major country star in the late 1970s and in the 80s he tried to parlay that into acting. This was one of two movies that he did based on his hit songs-the other The Gambler was a hit that spawned several sequels. This was a little less successful.
The film is set in a small southern town in the months prior to WWII. This is a setting that is hard to convey with any sincerity, but Coward manages to do that quite well. And the budding romance between Tommy and Becky (the town beauty) is quite sweet. The rape scene is mercifully subdued. We feel the horror, but are not subjected to a cruel graphic humiliation. When Tommy confronts the attackers in the local bar, what follows is arguably one of the best fight scenes in film history. That being said it's still a low budget, amateurishly acted film with a threadbare plot. A good set with sensible direction crying for a better movie and actors.
At age 10 Tommy's father died in prison. On his deathbed Tommy's father made him promise to stay away from fighting. The intention was that Tommy not grow up to be like his father, but as he grows up it just makes him appear to be cowardly. When WWII breaks out all of the young men enlist but Tommy which angers most of the town. He finally finds love but soon she is raped by the town bullies. Tommy and his uncle fight them, and in so doing Tommy finds redemption. After marrying Becky he goes off to fight in the war.
At least Ode to Billy Joe had an ambitious conceit, it tried to solve the mystery of the song. The only conceit here is singer Kenny Rogers in the pivotal role as the town preacher and uncle of the "cowardly" boy, His role of mentor and protector of his nephew was quite nice, although not fleshed out completely. Kenny Rogers was a major country star in the late 1970s and in the 80s he tried to parlay that into acting. This was one of two movies that he did based on his hit songs-the other The Gambler was a hit that spawned several sequels. This was a little less successful.
The film is set in a small southern town in the months prior to WWII. This is a setting that is hard to convey with any sincerity, but Coward manages to do that quite well. And the budding romance between Tommy and Becky (the town beauty) is quite sweet. The rape scene is mercifully subdued. We feel the horror, but are not subjected to a cruel graphic humiliation. When Tommy confronts the attackers in the local bar, what follows is arguably one of the best fight scenes in film history. That being said it's still a low budget, amateurishly acted film with a threadbare plot. A good set with sensible direction crying for a better movie and actors.
Kenny the actor (sigh's loudly)
ronaldsteele-544677 June 2021
It was a good idea at one point to turn a hit song into a movie and some actually hit the nail on the head. Some failed miserable and others well let's just leave it there. Who told Kenny Rogers he could act must have had low taste in talent. Not saying it was a waste of film either. At times this movie struggles to translate the message it's trying to tell. It's main topic is rape which like the hit song of the same name is shown and how Tommy has to step up to the plate to defend his not only honor but his sweetheart.
Now Kenny Rogers playing a not so Honest preacher is something to see. I also give or gave Kenny Rogers credit cause he made movies that weren't musicals and acting had to shine through. He somehow held his own with a good cast which included his then wife Marianne Gordon.
Is it good, let's just say entertaining but it is a TV movie and TV budget's are nowhere near big screen budget's. It does have it's high points and low points and does tell the story well or follows the hit song pretty good. I felt that omitting any part of Tommy and his father was a poor choice as it was a big part of the song. It does mention it in dialogue but should have shown it for a stronger development for Tommy's character. If you are a Kenny Rogers fan this movie will serve it's purpose if not then this movie will struggle to hold your attention. Like any movie the climax will excite you as it wrap's up the movie. Other words this plotline has been told before with better writing and acting but it comes off more as a custom made vehicle for Kenny Rogers who at the time was at his peak. The Gatlin Brothers name like the song is a homage and inside joke to his fellow recording act and real life friends The Gatlin Brothers.
Now Kenny Rogers playing a not so Honest preacher is something to see. I also give or gave Kenny Rogers credit cause he made movies that weren't musicals and acting had to shine through. He somehow held his own with a good cast which included his then wife Marianne Gordon.
Is it good, let's just say entertaining but it is a TV movie and TV budget's are nowhere near big screen budget's. It does have it's high points and low points and does tell the story well or follows the hit song pretty good. I felt that omitting any part of Tommy and his father was a poor choice as it was a big part of the song. It does mention it in dialogue but should have shown it for a stronger development for Tommy's character. If you are a Kenny Rogers fan this movie will serve it's purpose if not then this movie will struggle to hold your attention. Like any movie the climax will excite you as it wrap's up the movie. Other words this plotline has been told before with better writing and acting but it comes off more as a custom made vehicle for Kenny Rogers who at the time was at his peak. The Gatlin Brothers name like the song is a homage and inside joke to his fellow recording act and real life friends The Gatlin Brothers.
Pretty good for a film based on a Kenny Rogers song!
Red-Barracuda20 September 2021
I could sense that what you all were hoping for - but were too reticent to actively request - was a TV film based on the lyrics to a Kenny Rogers song. The story follows the lyrics very closely, while still managing to be a pretty good movie (which would have been more challenging with a film based on Islands in the Stream, so count your blessings). It's a mixture of coming-of-age and romantic-drama set during WWII. Its easy to get onside with the title character and it ends with a quality bar-room punch-up with Kenny and the coward finally going radge! The message of the movie says that pacifism is very noble but when it comes to some people the only option is to knock hell out of them. All together now 'promise me son not to do the things I've done, walk away from trouble if you can!' etc.
Not Worth Watching
kcterrell-2504626 September 2018
A sappy story based on a sappy song. Kenny Rogers in not an actor, and does discredit to the screen. The direction and editing is horrible from face cuts to inexplainable textures. The supporting actors are exceptional. Maybe the film is worth watching only for Noble Willingham. But I can't recommend you spend two hours watching this tripe.
"Everyone considered him the coward of the county..."
Stevieboy66623 January 2023
Made for TV movie based on the Kenny Rogers hit record of the same name that was released two years earlier in 1979, if you know the song then you will know the plot of this film. Set in an American small town in 1941, the USA has just entered World War Two as a result of the Japanese bombing of Pearl harbour. Some real black and white archive newsreels are shown. Young men are eager to sign up for the military, all that is except for Tommy Spencer who is known as "yellow" amongst the local bullies for his pacifist beliefs. If you know the song then you will know that he is pushed until he can hold back no more. Country singer Kenny Rogers plays his Uncle Matthew, once a hellraiser, now a man of the church who has a constant supply of words of wisdom. Kenny is good fun but I don't think that I would be mean in saying that his acting skills aren't as good as his singing. Overall the cast is pretty good. As mentioned this was made for TV and as a result the gang rape scene or it's direct aftermath are not seen, merely implied. Likewise the barroom fight finale is very exaggerated with flimsy props easily breaking and it is rather amusing, Kenny seemed to be enjoying himself! Legend TV (UK) recently screened this in its 4:3 ratio, sadly the picture quality was rather poor the the film itself was a good drama/love story.
Even for a TV movie, this one is subpar.
ralphus-0794813 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I love the Kenny Rogers song "Coward of the County." Not only is it a great song, it has a terrific story, the tale of a young man named Tommy who promises his dying father that he won't fight, so he ends up getting the cruel nickname "coward of the county." But then three bullies attack his girlfriend and he snaps, avenging her in a barroom by taking down all three men. The moral is that sometimes you have to fight to be a man. A great message, and dramatic stuff, perfect for a retelling on film.
So how did the filmmakers absolutely blow this one? By lessening nearly every dramatic part of the song, or else completely eliminating them. There's no dramatic relationship between dad and son; in fact, the father isn't even in the movie. So there's no scene where Tommy takes down his father's picture before going after the men.
The rape scene is of course sanitized, which you would expect for a TV movie. But the part of the song where Tommy opens the door and finds his girl crying? Could have been some serious drama there, but no, they cut that scene completely from the movie. Why?
And the heroic conclusion, where Tommy supposedly takes down the men one by one? It turns out to be Tommy and Kenny Rogers teaming up to win the fight instead! Rogers' character shouldn't have even been in the scene, but heck, he wrote the song and gets starring credit, so maybe he had some pull in getting it changed. But for sure, it wasn't as dramatic as it was described in the song.
In fact, there's more drama and emotion in the 4-minute song than in the entire 90-minute movie. It's a perfect song made into a mediocre movie. Very disappointing.
So how did the filmmakers absolutely blow this one? By lessening nearly every dramatic part of the song, or else completely eliminating them. There's no dramatic relationship between dad and son; in fact, the father isn't even in the movie. So there's no scene where Tommy takes down his father's picture before going after the men.
The rape scene is of course sanitized, which you would expect for a TV movie. But the part of the song where Tommy opens the door and finds his girl crying? Could have been some serious drama there, but no, they cut that scene completely from the movie. Why?
And the heroic conclusion, where Tommy supposedly takes down the men one by one? It turns out to be Tommy and Kenny Rogers teaming up to win the fight instead! Rogers' character shouldn't have even been in the scene, but heck, he wrote the song and gets starring credit, so maybe he had some pull in getting it changed. But for sure, it wasn't as dramatic as it was described in the song.
In fact, there's more drama and emotion in the 4-minute song than in the entire 90-minute movie. It's a perfect song made into a mediocre movie. Very disappointing.
You can't dislike it
slackline7015 May 2021
This is a somewhat low-budget, predictable made-for-TV movie made in 1981 starring Kenny Rogers - who sang the song the movie was based on a few years earlier.
Still, some movies are just so relatable that no one can dislike them.
Is there anyone who can't relate to being harassed and belittled by bullies who just wouldn't leave you alone?
Is there anyone who can't relate the feelings that accompany the bullying? Anger, shame... and guilt? That maybe you're more responsible than the bullies for your predicament?
Is there anyone who can't relate to the scene in which the bullies finally get pulverized as the same one you played in your head over and over again at one time or another in middle or high school - even if it never actually happened in real life?
A lot of people say they like Shakespeare - even though I suspect many of them just don't want to admit Shakespeare doesn't really grab them on a personal level.
Anyone who says they don't like Coward of the Country - well I suspect they just don't want to admit how gratifying it was to see what Tommy Spencer finally did - after he stopped and locked the door.
Still, some movies are just so relatable that no one can dislike them.
Is there anyone who can't relate to being harassed and belittled by bullies who just wouldn't leave you alone?
Is there anyone who can't relate the feelings that accompany the bullying? Anger, shame... and guilt? That maybe you're more responsible than the bullies for your predicament?
Is there anyone who can't relate to the scene in which the bullies finally get pulverized as the same one you played in your head over and over again at one time or another in middle or high school - even if it never actually happened in real life?
A lot of people say they like Shakespeare - even though I suspect many of them just don't want to admit Shakespeare doesn't really grab them on a personal level.
Anyone who says they don't like Coward of the Country - well I suspect they just don't want to admit how gratifying it was to see what Tommy Spencer finally did - after he stopped and locked the door.
Good Kenny movie
Edermike10 September 2007
Now obviously this is a vehicle for Kenny Rogers popularity at the time, but it is an honest one. As a person who admits to past mistakes, learns from them, and then passes on these lessons ,this comes close to his real personality. That he was able to do this on record, in interviews, and then on film, speaks to his considerable ability to get across his views on life to his audience.While I feel he never quite matched the creative daring on his own that he displayed in the First Edition, through 1983 everything he did was a success. This movie reflects why. The script had old fashioned conservative values that most of his fan base share, and thus could make a connection with. This is a family movie about rape, and that in itself is an accomplishment. There is much to enjoy in the movie, the characters are well developed, the actress playing Becky is a knockout, and there are many in jokes for Kenny's fans to catch. Watch for his mother in an amusing cameo and his brother Lelan is there too. Also notice in the first scene that he is singing the traditional version of "Love Lifted Me". As most fans know it was a modernized version of this track that launched his solo career in 1975, and this scene (and the fact the his characters sermon is based on it) is a nice homage to that. All in all if you like Kenny and or movies for the whole family Coward Of The County is for you.
One of my favorites
shs2714 September 2009
The movie is 30 years old and I still consider it one my favorites. I was probably 12 when I saw it but it must have made an impression. Yes, it was made for TV and not the greatest quality, but it still was pretty good and I like the message. Kenny R.'s acting wasn't great but everyone else's was. Becky and Tommy stole the show. A great story about trying to do the right thing but sometimes other people in this world simply make you kick some A. A man's gotta do what he's gotta do. Know what I mean? I would recommend it to anyone. I list it as one my top ten movies. Don't believe me? Believe me. Some movies stick out and this one does for some reason. Watch it.
Yelliw
bevo-1367826 October 2021
A hidden gem
offdutee3 August 2020
It's been many years since I've seen this movie but it stays with me to this day. While Kenny Rogers is not an actor, he put feeling into this movie from his song of the same name. Both the song and the movie gave me hope at a time in my life when it was sorely needed. This if for no other reason prompts my rating of the movie. I would recommend this movie for anyone who believes, or needs to believe, that we are the best of ourselves when that person is needed most.
Still enjoy
darlingkmp11 June 2020
Sometimes you got to fight when you're a man
Woodyanders12 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Tommy Spencer (a fine and likeable performance by Fredric Lehne) makes a promise to his father on his deathbed to be a lifelong pacifist. However, Tommy has trouble keeping said promise after the no-count Gatlin brothers have their wicked way with his girlfriend Becky (an appealing portrayal by Largo Woodruff).
Director Dick Lowry relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, offers a vivid evocation of the sleepy small town setting that's further enhanced by a flavorsome early 1940's period atmosphere, and maintains an engaging earnest tone throughout.
The sound acting by the capable cast helps a lot: Kenny Rogers as amiable preacher Uncle Matthew, Mariclare Costello as Tommy's feisty mother Emma, Noble Willingham as the hearty Car-Wash, and Joe Dorsey as the mean Lem Gatlin. William Schreiner, Frank Koppala, and Todd Waring are appropriately despicable as the Gatlin brothers. A nice little movie.
Director Dick Lowry relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, offers a vivid evocation of the sleepy small town setting that's further enhanced by a flavorsome early 1940's period atmosphere, and maintains an engaging earnest tone throughout.
The sound acting by the capable cast helps a lot: Kenny Rogers as amiable preacher Uncle Matthew, Mariclare Costello as Tommy's feisty mother Emma, Noble Willingham as the hearty Car-Wash, and Joe Dorsey as the mean Lem Gatlin. William Schreiner, Frank Koppala, and Todd Waring are appropriately despicable as the Gatlin brothers. A nice little movie.
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