Um Covarde Redimido

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.