Big Bad John

The popular song by Jimmy Dean in the 1950s leads to this really terrible motion picture that never does make a whole lot of sense. Two young people decide to elope to escape her abusive step-father in this cut-and-paste mess that looks like it was thrown together on a boring weekend for the film-makers. The film includes the likes of Doug English (in the titled role), the usually dependable Ned Beatty (I don't know what he is doing in this film) and of course Jimmy Dean himself. Do anything other than sit and watch this. Turkey (0 stars out of 5).

This movie has always been a favorite of mine. The cast is superb and draws on the American experience as a whole. Jimmy Dean is a classic all American Sheriff who takes his buddy along on a cross country trek to find Big Bad John. What more of an American tale could you think of? Not only does this movie create a picturesque vision of the American experience, it also takes the viewer on a whirlwind of action and adventure. I would recommend this movie to everyone, and if possible you should find a copy of this so you can enjoy watching it over and over. The acting is superb, the action is superb, the emotions are real, and the story is encompassing. Great movie!

Doug English as Big Bad John steals the movie. He definitely deserved more recognition but as one of only 4 men to hold the record for most career safeties in the NFL (4) I think he did all right! As far as the plot, direction, and sound effects this movie was very middle of the road for it's day. The love scenes were cut for budgetary reasons but rumor has it all the females on set were totally into Big Bad John, often referring to Doug English as Big Good Dougie Doug, way before Dougie Doug was even a thing.

So in summary, good luck finding this movie on DVD. Supposedly it's a cult classic in the North Korea but Kim Jong Un has all the copies locked up in his palace.

Can't find this on DVD yet, still got old VHS tape. Love Jack Elam, can tolerate Dean, and Bo Hopkins is great. He tells that punk; "Don't mess with me boy i've had a very rough day i'll jerk them lips off your head and whistle Dixie." Best line. When they are driving the truck and Elam flips a switch - hilarious. Is good all in all. The song, somehow you never forget it.

The cast is game for a good old country boy tale. It actually has very little to do with Jimmy Dean's title song. "Big Bad John" is more like "Big Good John.", who runs off with Ned Beatty's step daughter to save her from evil Ned. In Pursuit are Jimmy Dean and his friend Jack Elam. They are being followed by Bo Hopkins, who Beatty has hired to bring home the fleeing step daughter. The plot is thin, Dean's dog is great, and the Colorado scenery is another plus. So if you like these hixsploitation movies, you could do a lot worse than "Big Bad John." Recommended for the cast, the song, the scenery, and if you can get passed the simplistic road movie script, the movie is entertaining. Good of it's type. - MERK