31 reviews
One of my favorite made-for-TV movies
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.
A story Rich in Georgia History
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.
- melchizedeknm
- Feb 3, 2007
- Permalink
Remake this Movie
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.
- joshuahickman
- Aug 15, 2005
- Permalink
an awesome tv film
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
major historical change
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.
Surprisingly good, well acted Southern Gothic police procedural
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")
(True Story) (Great Cast) (Bad Cinematography Work)
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.
- gilliamclay-77306
- Aug 23, 2023
- Permalink
Great movie with a family connection!
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.
Crime drama set in Georgia of the late 40s with Andy Griffith and Johnny Cash
In 1948, a wealthy landowner in Meriwether County (Griffith) controls the Sheriff and the citizens, but when he flaunts his power in neighboring Coweta County, the no-nonsense Sheriff comes after him (Cash).
"Murder in Coweta County" (1983) is a well-done period piece based on the true story, also called "Last Blood." It's similar to "Mississippi Burning," which came out five years later (and no doubt influenced it), just with the television budget of "Murder in Mississippi" (1990), which is the unofficial prequel to that more famous theatrical film.
Johnny's wife, June Carter Cash, has an interesting role as a backwoods Christian seer. John Wallace (Griffith) visiting her in desperation is reminiscent of King Saul going to the witch of Endor in the Bible (1 Samuel 28).
Griffith is effective in the rare role of the antagonist, which he proved he could do 9 years earlier in another worthwhile TV production, "Pray for the Wildcats."
The movie runs 1 hour, 40 minutes, and was shot in the heart of Georgia in areas south of Atlanta; specifically, Monticello (street scenes, exterior scenes and the historic downtown square), Zebulon (courthouse exterior) and Greenville.
GRADE: B.
"Murder in Coweta County" (1983) is a well-done period piece based on the true story, also called "Last Blood." It's similar to "Mississippi Burning," which came out five years later (and no doubt influenced it), just with the television budget of "Murder in Mississippi" (1990), which is the unofficial prequel to that more famous theatrical film.
Johnny's wife, June Carter Cash, has an interesting role as a backwoods Christian seer. John Wallace (Griffith) visiting her in desperation is reminiscent of King Saul going to the witch of Endor in the Bible (1 Samuel 28).
Griffith is effective in the rare role of the antagonist, which he proved he could do 9 years earlier in another worthwhile TV production, "Pray for the Wildcats."
The movie runs 1 hour, 40 minutes, and was shot in the heart of Georgia in areas south of Atlanta; specifically, Monticello (street scenes, exterior scenes and the historic downtown square), Zebulon (courthouse exterior) and Greenville.
GRADE: B.
One of the best TV movies I have ever seen
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.
- badbilly3d
- Sep 13, 2003
- Permalink
A Slice Of History
Andy Griffith is the big man in his county in rural Georgia in 1948. He and some underlings murder Robert Schenkkan for running his own moonshine operation and then stealing two of Griffith's cows. But he does so in neighboring Coweta County, where sheriff Johnny Cash is intent on bringing the murderers to justice, despite their having burnt the corpse into ashes and bone fragments.
It's based on a real case and a book covering it by Gargaret Anne Barnes. The case is remarkable for the era, not just because Griffith was the richest man to be found guilty of murder, but because the only major witnesses for the State were two Black men who destroyed the body on his era.
Griffith is open, mostly affable, and certain of himself in a performance that reeks of malignity beneath the surface, akin to his turn in A FACE IN THE CROWD. Cash, on the other hand, is completely opaque. He says little, and there's no indication of what is going on in his mind. It's shot in Georgia -- those red dirt roads could only be there or Alabama -- it's never clear until the end that justice will be served.
It's based on a real case and a book covering it by Gargaret Anne Barnes. The case is remarkable for the era, not just because Griffith was the richest man to be found guilty of murder, but because the only major witnesses for the State were two Black men who destroyed the body on his era.
Griffith is open, mostly affable, and certain of himself in a performance that reeks of malignity beneath the surface, akin to his turn in A FACE IN THE CROWD. Cash, on the other hand, is completely opaque. He says little, and there's no indication of what is going on in his mind. It's shot in Georgia -- those red dirt roads could only be there or Alabama -- it's never clear until the end that justice will be served.
Worth the watch
Very good movie. Good script stayed very close to the actual facts. Well acted and shows what that time in the south was like. The small town corruption yet the honest people on the other side.
How powerful is the man who can't control himself?
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.
- SteveSkafte
- Feb 15, 2012
- Permalink
Some spiritual snags
John Wallace was a nominal Christian, raised by his mother never to let his conscience bother him too much, and was blind to the Christian teaching of all races and people being equal as imago dei. He threw around meaningless talk about his (and other's) god/s, and prayed as the idea, almighty god. He sought more to be God than to obey God.
Mayhayley Lancaster was locally called a 'witch'. She claimed to occultly see the victim's cremation and ashes to water, and to be a medium. The idea that she was right was not really questioned, even in calling her as a court witness. The idea that her sight came from the demonic who impersonate the deceased at séances (so the witness of former medium Raphael Gasson, in his, The Challenging Counterfeit), was never even raised, nor whether the police should allow spiritual damage to society in order to reduce social damage by using the sometimes accurate occult to help solve crimes. She spouted biblical texts as can the devil.
Apart from some spiritual gullibility, I think the best character was Lamar Potts, as committed to doing his job and serving justice-righteous. Johnny Cash & his wife were genuine Christians in real life. His parting and sincere shot, "I'll pray for you", was discounted by the egotist Wallace, but showed his heart.
Mayhayley Lancaster was locally called a 'witch'. She claimed to occultly see the victim's cremation and ashes to water, and to be a medium. The idea that she was right was not really questioned, even in calling her as a court witness. The idea that her sight came from the demonic who impersonate the deceased at séances (so the witness of former medium Raphael Gasson, in his, The Challenging Counterfeit), was never even raised, nor whether the police should allow spiritual damage to society in order to reduce social damage by using the sometimes accurate occult to help solve crimes. She spouted biblical texts as can the devil.
Apart from some spiritual gullibility, I think the best character was Lamar Potts, as committed to doing his job and serving justice-righteous. Johnny Cash & his wife were genuine Christians in real life. His parting and sincere shot, "I'll pray for you", was discounted by the egotist Wallace, but showed his heart.
Great true crime story of the late 1940's in which the American justice system triumphed.
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.
The facts of the movie are that the non-bigoted aspect of the movie is not about the murder of a young black man.
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.
- jasondanyael
- Sep 11, 2003
- Permalink
Andy Griffith as a Southern tyrant much like Dennis Hopper in "Paris Trout"
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
- merklekranz
- Dec 14, 2010
- Permalink
Competent True-Crime Comfort Food
My personal favorite TV movie of all time!!
Murder In Coweta County
- dbaugh1805
- Apr 27, 2005
- Permalink
True to the book
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.
Surprisingly shocking
"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.
Would love to find the video
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!!!!
- epinner2000
- Jun 24, 2004
- Permalink
Very well acted 40's era movie. Cash and Griffith are great.
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.
Just another vote for "what a great movie".
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.