The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981) User Reviews

For Fans of Country-Western Films

[Rainey-Dawn · 7/10 · 28 June 2014]

I saw this film several times as a young teen. It's not the greatest film but it's not bad and a little bit underrated on IMDb. The country music film is a comedy-drama with a little action thrown in here and there. The movie also has a little romance in it as well. It is one of those lesser known films that I think more people would like if they took the time to view the movie.

Fans of country-western films like "Urban Cowboy", "Cole Miner's Daughter", "Crazy Heart" and "Tender Mercies" might like this film.

The movie is also a good recommendation for the people that like "hidden gems" - films that most people have forgotten even existed. Give "The Nights the Lights Went Out in Georgia" a chance one day when you are in the mood for something different than your normal film genre favorites.

7/10

two charismatic leads

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 23 February 2016]

Travis Child (Dennis Quaid) is a skirt-chasing hard-drinking country singer. His sister Amanda Child (Kristy McNichol) is his tough driven manager pushing to go to Nashville. They've been on the road for six months and always on the run from jealous boyfriends/husbands or general mayhem. They get separated. Amanda is stopped by deputy Conrad (Mark Hamill). Travis gets arrested after hitting a cop.

The plot isn't anything special. The production is relatively lower grade. The movie does have two very charismatic performances. Quaid is terrific and a solid singer. McNichol is wonderful as the spunky teen with definite edge. I love them both. The country singing is pretty catchy. The movie runs a little long but it has the fine performances and Luke Skywalker, too.

McNichol is terrifically sexy, but ragtag comedy-drama is just adequate...

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 27 November 2005]

After 1980's "Little Darlings" grossed some $40 million at the box office, everyone credited scene-stealer Kristy McNichol with its success; the teen actress then had the opportunity to do anything she wanted...and she chose this comedy-drama with country music. Why? Because she gets to sing, act sexy and tough, be soft, and do a drunk routine (which doesn't come off--she's one of the most unconvincing drunks ever). McNichol plays business-minded sis to brother Dennis Quaid, a hell-raising, skirt-chasing musician, but his scrapes with the law make Kristy turn to cop Mark Hamill for help. That's the whole plot, really. The picture is such a mess from a director's standpoint, I can imagine the editor (Anne Goursand) sitting at her cutting machine surrounded by reels of film going out of her mind. Pieces of it are energetic, McNichol is engaging, but the guys are colorless, the writing is pedestrian, and the ending is dopey instead of moving. The rather ungainly title is lifted from a 1972 hit song, which has been rewritten completely and rerecorded here. Why did they bother using it at all? ** from ****

Cheesy, but I love it

[Filmgirl-4 · 14 September 2000]

Yeah, it's cheesy. Dennis Quaid and Kristy McNichol sing, or try to. That just about says it all. But, I grew up watching this movie. It seems like it came on every summer, along with Kristy's other flicks: "Only When I Laugh" and "Little Darlings." I went to great lengths recently to buy the out-of-print video. Seeing it just takes me back. Great cinema? Uh, no. But good for a little nostalgia and fun cheesiness? Definitely.

I'm not your prize.

[bombersflyup · 6/10 · 19 June 2023]

The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia started off so poorly I turned it off to watch something else. It just so happens that what I went to watch was worse, so I came back and it happen to pick up as it went along and I actually ended up warming to it.

The film's quality's inconsistent throughout, but is feelgood and comes good by its end, despite the death of Travis, with even the bar owner making a stand against the sheriff. The film's attempts at comedy is where it's let down and a lot of that is early. The cast and performances are solid across the board, with good characterization and good music. Mark Hamill's "Star Wars" likeable here.

Misleading Title

[Lechuguilla · 4/10 · 23 April 2016]

The final fifteen minute segment gives the film at least some depth. But getting there is something of a chore. In this Kristy McNichol vehicle, a young country/western singer named Travis (Dennis Quaid) and his kid sister Amanda (McNichol) travel around the South playing honky-tonk joints, en route to Nashville, where they dream of making it big. Apart from the Southern setting, the plot has almost nothing in common with the title song, first recorded by Vicki Lawrence.

Most of the plot consists of bar room talk, with no fewer than three fights; country music with a couple of pretty good songs; and a rakish Travis chasing attractive females, much to the chagrin of the business oriented Amanda and jealous local rednecks. Until near the end, the story just repeats these three basic themes.

I didn't believe for a second that Amanda, as a 16-year-old, was capable either of deal making with record producers or performing professionally in front of an audience. Kristy McNichol is not convincing as a Southerner and neither is Mark Hamill. Dennis Quaid fares better in the role he plays.

Visuals, editing, costumes, and sets are okay but nothing special. The misleading title gives the impression of a hastily put together script to take financial advantage of the success of the Vicki Lawrence song. A thirty-minute short could have covered the same story ground and been less tedious to sit through.

This Movie was filmed in my hometown

[mag7_1 · 7/10 · 11 October 2002]

I guess what makes this flick so unique for me is the fact that it was filmed almost entirely on location in my hometown....of Trenton, Georgia...which is a smalltown(Population app. 1,500) in the Northwest Georgia Mountains....the backdrop wasn't changed at all...and now I can watch this film and see my hometown 22 years ago(even though it was released in 1981...it was filmed during the summer months of 1980)....The script is lacking indeed..I'll give you that...but, it does have my favorite actor of all time(Dennis Quaid) starring in it...I've often thought if they'd made the movie based strictly on the lyrics to the well known Vicki Lawrence song..it would have been much better....But, as it is...if you aren't from the Chattanooga,Tn./Trenton,Ga. area it would probably be a major dissapointment for you....But, if you like Dennis Quaid or Don Stroud you'll enjoy it...worth watching...Dennis Quaid surprised me...He really can sing!!!

McNichol and Quaid are worth seeing...but nothing else is

[preppy-3 · 5/10 · 1 June 2007]

Dennis Quaid plays Travis Child a skirt-chasing (yet lovable) guy who is constantly sleeping with married women and getting in trouble with the law. His sister straight arrow Amanda (Kristy McNichol) tries to keep him out of trouble but can't do it. She tries to get policeman Conrad (Mark Hamill) to help her...but has Travis gone too far?

If you've heard the title song you basically know the outcome. This is a dull, totally predictable, by the numbers drama. I was one of the few people who actually paid money to see it in a theatre in 1981. I remember the snickers coming from the audience during the "dramatic" scenes...especially at the ending. The only thing that made this endurable where Quaid and McNichol. They effortlessly give out good performances and make this somewhat interesting. Also McNichol play a singer and she was a good singer so she belts out a few songs. Also, in case any one is interested, Quaid bares his butt in this one. Hamill is just terrible...but it's not entirely his fault. His character is badly underwritten and he's just there to provide a love interest for McNichol.

So...this is pretty bad story-wise but worth catching if you like Quaid or McNichol. Or you can just listen to the song and get virtually the entire movie in three minutes. Pretty much forgotten...and for good reason. I give it a 5.

has become a classic !

[christopher-vock · 9/10 · 21 January 2006]

If you like road movies, tear-jerkers and real rock'in country music,u will just loooove this flick ! One of my favorites. I wish I could find a decent soundtrack in any format. My VHS copy seems to be a copy of a copy of a copy ie not the best quality... I watch this movie every 2 years.....The cast is great and the acting is too. In the old days one went to the flicks to cry, laugh & be moved or excited. This ones does it for me ! I particularly like one of the first scenes (filmed from hi up in a 'copter, showing their red truck rolling down the hi-way with guitar music blasting ! (well I do put the sound up real LOUD...). The only thing missing is me following behind on my 1939 red Indian Chief !

Up there with the greatest movies ever......based on a song.

[TheRowdyMan · 5/10 · 27 December 2003]

'Sex, action, humour, suspense and great songs!' is what the video jacket reads on this 1981 vehicle for McNichol. The first thing I was expecting when I placed the battered old VHS tape into the VCR was Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise to show up with Loni Anderson. Well like those films there's bar room brawls, redneck humour and the handsome hero who finds time to chase a quick bit of T & A before they move on.

Loosely based on the Reba Mcentire song of the same name, this movie is a bit more toned down than most of the southern redneck comedies of the early 80's, although there's still enough kitsch fun to make it worth the price of rental. Quaid and McNichol are pretty good in their roles and CAN sing, however Mark Hamill's 'performance' as Conrad, the deputy who tries the win the heart McNichol has to be seen to be believed.

This charming little artifact is worth picking up as a double feature to something like 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)' or 'Rhinestone (1984)'.

Surpringly Very Good!

[angelsunchained · 9/10 · 4 October 2009]

I saw this film when it first came out in the early 1980s. I had a big crush on Kristy McNichol and just had to see this film. Somewhat an offbeat mixture of country humor and drama, The Night The Lights Went Off in Georgia starts off like a cornball comedy and ends up deadly serious.Kristy McNichol proved she could sing and was very good in "Baby Bye-Bye". Dennis Quaid was an up-coming star, and his rugged good looks, and boyish charm are backed up by his extremely well singing talents. Amazing that Quaid didn't become a country music singing star, I thought he was that good. Mark Hamill is pleasant as the love-struck cop, but it's an "ice-cream cone" performance. The late Sunny Johnson looked beautiful, and it's a real shame that this talented actress died so young.

A solid and seriously underrated sleeper

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 9 November 2007]

Loosely based on Vicki Lawrence's notoriously trashy country story song, this unexpectedly amiable and engrossing dramatic feature about ordinary small-time dreamers who aspire to greater things in life makes for a perfectly nice and affecting character-oriented slice-of-everyday-life affair, specifically centering on how going for the gold in life takes a lot of courage and determination. Dennis Quaid portrays his part with a winningly scruffy, roguish charm; he's a reckless ne'er-do-well womanizing hellion striving to make it big in Nashville as a country singer. Kristy McNichol is likewise on the money, radiating her usual spunky appeal as Quaid's headstrong, ambitious and highly precocious 16-year-old sister who acts as Quaid's manager and does her best to keep her wayward brother in line. The duo's major league plans go astray when Quaid runs afoul of belligerent sticksville town sheriff Don Stroud. Quaid, Stroud and McNicol all give fine performances, but it's Mark Hamill who takes the acting honors with his shockingly good turn as the decent, sympathetic state trooper who befriends McNicol and falls in love with her. Director Ronald F. Maxwell shows a lovely, uplifting sure feel for these hugely endearing commonplace individuals, depicting their mundane lives and go-for-the-glory aspirations without the slightest whiff of cheap sentiment or condescension. Moreover, the country music score totally cooks, with both Quaid and McNicol contributing a few surprisingly up-to-par tunes (yes, they both sing -- and extremely well, too!). Granted, this flick ain't without its flaws: the meandering opening third starts off pretty shaky and the tragic ending is abrupt and dissatisfying. But overall this unjustly overlooked picture rates as a real sleeper.

what about the bad guy?

[icreeem · 23 April 2008]

I saw this movie in the LAST drive-in theater in my area in June, 1981 (I was 17 and already had my own car). I didn't care about what movie I saw, it was just a night out with (wow, what WAS her name?)...anyway, I found myself interested with Don Stroud's excellent performance of the cop, Seth, and his vengeful, jealous treatment of Quaid's main character. He was spot-on. I have known too many men like this character; obsessively jealous over his girl, overly vindictive in any wrong they feel slighted by. The music was okay, the acting was good (although, in fairness, Miss McNichol did have a long way to go at this point, and has since proved herself marvelously)...but the power-crazy cop who beats up his nemesis brutally in the bar did the movie for me, especially after the triumphant, gloating grin he says to the girl "let's go..." and she dumps him there and then. His reaction to this was also priceless. Not a fabulous movie by any stretch, but not a bomb either. Very enjoyable.

great movie

[sassybrat35 · 10/10 · 1 March 2001]

i saw the night the lights went out in georgia in the 1980's - thought it was a great movie, good music, always wondered what happen to the movie, why you can't buy it hope to see it come available soon! very touching movie kristy and dennis did a great job acting and singing

Better Than Most People Think Rarity.

[davidjanuzbrown · 10/10 · 29 August 2012]

Let me say that most people who have reviewed "The Nights The Lights Went Out In Georgia" have never seen it (The person who said the entire movie can be summed up in 3 minutes, by listening to either the Vicki Lawrence or Reba versions is dead wrong). First off, it is a hard to find film (Not out on DVD). Next, the character that is the Big Brother in the song is named Andy and that is NOT the character here. In fact, the only thing that it has in common with the song is Big Brother dies, and Little Sister has a big gun (More on that later). Two questions: Does Little Sister (Amanda), kill anyone like she does in the song? Equally important is why does Big Brother die? I will not tell, but it is NOT the same as in the song. Watch the film (If you can find it) and learn why. On to the film itself: Lets start with what it has: The ultra-rare version of Tanya Tucker singing the title track, a great Dennis Quaid (Travis Child) performance, and seeing Kristy McNichol (Amanda), actually looking good for a change. It is about a brother and sister who are heading through rural Georgia, on their way to Nashville. Travis is the one with the talent, and Amanda with the brains and desire to get him to the top. Travis's problem is he likes whiskey and women too much, and Amanda is always getting him out of messes. There are three other main characters in this film: Melody (Sunny Johnson), who Travis falls hard for, Seth Ames (Don Stroud), a psychotic Sheriff, and Trooper Conrad ( Mark Hamill), who is the film's moral compass, who sees the direction that Travis is heading to (Self Destruction), and wants to save Amanda from the same fate (And ends up falling in love with her). Spoilers: There is a key moment in the film where Amanda got an audition for Travis with a Nashville Record Producer (He did not show because he was drunk), and instead, Amanda took his place, and was a hit, and the Producer said if she is in Nashville, look him up. Amanda was not happy that Travis did not show, but he explained that "This is your dream, it was never mine." (He would rather be with Melody). It was the last time she saw her brother alive. After she buried him, she packed up her dog and her few things and drove her pickup truck for Nashville. However, Trooper Conrad flagged her down, and she had no idea why. He comes out in boxer shorts and his hat, and says to her "I am not letting you go." And explained he actually hid a bag in her truck, and they headed off to start a new life together. The ending is interesting because it is a similar ending to another film I reviewed "Corvette Summer" where straight laced Hamill does the same thing he does here.... Abandons a comfort zone life, to head off into the unknown with a woman. I prefer this film, because it is good from start to finish, the beginning of "Corvette Summer" was not great (Although I prefer the character of Vanessa (Annie Potts) to Amanda(Looks and acting)), the performances of Quaid (See him sing "Amanda") and Stroud stand out, as does Tanya's title track, and one particular line from Conrad to Amanda I really like: "We belong together, we even shoot the same gun (44 Magnum)." Basically this rarity is much better than most people think. 10/10 Stars

KRISTY MCKNICLE IS THE SEXXIEST LADY TOMBOY BABE ALIVE TODAY.

[jetregg · 10/10 · 23 September 2018]

LOVE HER STYLE AND GRACE N LOVLEY WAYS.SHES SEXY N VERY INTELLIGENT.

Definitely Worth Watching

[donnak-42278 · 9/10 · 13 October 2019]

This has been one of my favorite movies since I saw it st the theater when I was 13. Dennis Quaid is gorgeous as Travis. He plays Travis with such charm and does his own singing. Kristy McNichol plays his teenage sister, Amanda.The dynamic between Travis and Amanda is great. They are all each other have and are heading to Nashville to further Travis's career. They end up stuck in a small town in Georgia, where they each find love and a different path. The movie us definitely worth watching and the music is great. Give it a try.

Oh geeze, do I even remember this flick?

[Blueghost · 27 August 2010]

More vague impressions of a film from a time when the then very cute Kristy McNichol was the hot commodity on TV and film. Truth is I can't remember much of this film other than my peers mentioning it over and over again, and how it had "Kristy McNichol" in it. That was always followed by "She was in Little Darlings... have you seen 'The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia'"?

The movie itself is nothing to brag about. I finally saw it one afternoon, and really didn't quite get the whole thing. In fact, I don't ever remember a single joke or gag. The one thing I remember is Kristy's character driving around this pickup. In fact, that may have been the last shot.

What I do recall is a sappy, not so smart, quasi brother-sister road- trip film that seemed a little thin. Maybe it's because I was never a young teenage girl with an alcoholic brother that keeps me from connecting with this film, I don't really know. What I do know is that I slept through part of it.

I don't know... did this review help anyone? Probably not, but hey, for what it's worth, I can't remember enjoying it a great deal. If you're a woman who had an older brother with issues, or are a huge Kristy McNichol fan, then there may be something here for you.

DVD please?

[panther-28 · 10/10 · 13 March 2005]

This is by far my most favorite movie ever made. I await they day they bring this movie out on DVD! Please??????????

Kristy McNichol was awesome and so was Dennis Quaid, they made a good sister/brother team. This movie inspired me in many aspects of my life.

As I sit and watch the VHS, the quality wasn't all that great, but I like what the movie is about and what it stands for.

Travis Child and Amanda Child set out for a career as a brother/sister team. Their trials and struggles as they set out to become a superstar team. Travis falls in love with a lady along the way, which causes trouble and well, the end of the movie is very sad.

A Review Part 2 A Decade Later

[januszlvii · 10/10 · 5 May 2023]

Yesterday I finally saw The Nights The Lights Went Out In Georgia on ok. Ru, after over a decade. I actually reviewed the movie here in 2012 ( you will see it under my full name). What is interesting is how much I actually remembered, and how much I missed the last time. What I missed was most of the Trooper Conrad ( Mark Hamill) and Amanda (Kristy McNichol) relationship. In my earlier review, I noted throughout the movie Conrad tries to save her from ending up dead like her brother Travis ( Dennis Quaid, (who dominated the movie)). The contrast between Conrad and not only Amanda ( who is not really a nice person) but the rest of the town is striking. As he told Amanda, it is a "Bad Town." But as Amanda told him several times "You are a Boy Scout." Spoilers ahead: Those two quotes explains why in addition to loving her, Conrad gave up everything including a home and a good job to go away with Amanda, and those sacrifices ( despite the age differences ( Conrad is in his 20's and Amanda only 17) are why Amanda let him. Again like before 10/10 stars.