Jagdzeit in Texas

Even within its own and secluded subgenre (that genre being the good ol' boy hixploitation), "A Small Town in Texas" is a largely unremarkable and utmost derivative effort. The film has all the mandatory ingredients, like corrupt sheriffs, bluegrass music and virulent car chases, but the plot is overly simplistic, and the three lead characters are weak and unmemorable. Timothy Bottoms has zero charisma as the ex-con on the run for the corrupt Sheriff who wants to frame him for murder. The Sheriff, as played by Bo Hopkins, is alright, but not nearly as grim and menacing as the rotten lawmen in other contemporary semi-classics. Susan George is a lovely woman and a more than decent actress, but she one major handicap for starring in this film. She's far too British to depict a Texan local gal and can't really hide her accent. The makers must have noticed this as well, since she doesn't have many significant lines. The undisputed highlight of the film is a random but outrageous appearance by George 'Buck' Flower - who else - as the sneering Uncle Bull. "A Small Town in Texas" certainly isn't a total waste of your precious time, but there are much better and equally obscure hixploitation classics out there to discover (notably "Moving Violation", "Jackson County Jail", "Poor Pretty Eddy", "....tick...tick...tick", "Nightmare in Badham County", etc")

Susan George gave an excellent performance in this film, over powering Timothy Bottoms, and Bo Hopkins. Susan George with her excellent British acting background gave class to this SMALL TOWN IN TEXAS. Lots of small town police corruption with daring bike and car racing and a close miss of a train. This film is going to be another classic film collection. It is worth viewing and the Texas locations and photography are fantastic.

A Small Town In Texas is a film that I put high on the list of genre action films that were a staple at drive-in's during the '1970's and '80's. The car action is great with real stunts. A great cast of film supporting actors and the always cool directing of the late Jack Starrett. Bo Hopkins is great as the sheriff, Morgan Woodward as the corrupt rich local, John Karlen and Clay Tanner as deputies, Susan George as the girlfriend is '70's hot!,Art Hindle is always good and Buck Flower steals the show as a cussin', spittin', tough-as-nails hick who helps Timothy Bottoms against the crooked law man. I hope a DVD release will be in the near future.

I would be lying through my teeth if I said I knew anything about Director Jack Starret. Never heard of him, but must admit that he does not do a bad job of A SMALL TOWN IN TEXAS.

To that end he is helped by a strong cast including Timothy Bottoms - then riding the tail end of his six-year stardom flash beginning with LAST PICTURE SHOW and JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN in 1971, and continuing with THE PAPER CHASE in 1973 - the stunningly sexy British actress Susan George entering her own decline, and Bo Hopkins with yet another striking support part, after THE WILD BUNCH seven years earlier. This time he is not loud, he is just a quietly corrupt copper.

The script by William Norton is this film's weakness. The characters fall well shy of fleshed, dialogue is uneven.

Strong, competent cinematography and editing, by Jessup and Horger respectively.

This movie was a cross between BILLY JACK, DUKES OF HAZZARD and that's it. It was a fun movie. Tim Bottoms is always a good person to watch act. The ending was sudden and typical of that decade of movies.

If it's on, see it.