| Fighting Mad | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster by Joseph Smith | |
| Directed by | Jonathan Demme |
| Written by | Jonathan Demme |
| Produced by | Roger Corman |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Michael W. Watkins |
| Edited by | Anthony Magro |
| Music by | Bruce Langhorne |
| Production company | Santa Fe Productions |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $600,000 |
Fighting Mad is a 1976 American action film directed by Jonathan Demme, about an Arkansas farmer played by Peter Fonda who uses Guerrilla tactics against corrupt land developers attempting to evict his family and his neighbors in order to stripmine their land.
Plot
An evil corporation tries to pressure a bunch of Arkansas farmers and ranchers to sell their land so they can strip-mine it for coal. The fiercely proud and stubborn Hunter family refuse to give in. This leads to a bitter conflict that results in several casualties. Eventually the take-charge no-nonsense Tom Hunter exacts a harsh revenge on the villains with the help of his bow and arrow.
Cast
- Peter Fonda as Tom Hunter
- Lynn Lowry as Lorene Maddox
- John Doucette as Jeff Hunter
- Philip Carey as Pierce Crabtree
- Harry Northup as Sheriff Len Skerritt
- Noble Willingham as Senator Hingle
- Kathleen Miller as Carolee Hunter
- Scott Glenn as Charlie Hunter
- Ted Markland as Hal Fraser
Production
The movie was one of four Roger Corman made for 20th Century Fox. In making the film, Corman analysed three other recent low-budget rural action thrillers that had been big hits: Billy Jack (1971), Walking Tall (1973) and Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974). He deduced they had three things in common: a hero with an off-beat sidekick, an unusual mode of transport and an interesting weapon. This is why the Peter Fonda character travels on an old motorcycle with his toddler son and uses a compound bow. Corman said, "It was an attempt, once more, to follow a style that you're probably familiar with now — an action picture with a certain social comment."
Demme had made Caged Heat for Roger Corman and was preparing the script for Fighting Mad when Corman asked him, at short notice, to take over Crazy Mama, whose director had left the project. Demme was reluctant but Corman threatened to abandon Fighting Mad if the director did not make Crazy Mama. Demme shot the film, which was a disappointment. He said Corman was unhappy with the result and canceled Fighting Mad. Demme protested this was unfair. Roger Corman agreed and changed his mind - Fighting Mad went ahead.
Peter Fonda later wrote, "Like his work. Jonathan was amazing. He was so full of positive attitude, anything was possible. He never let on to any stress or pressure, and he was basically working for free."
Reception
The film was a box office disappointment.
References
- ^ Christopher T Koetting, Mind Warp!: The Fantastic True Story of Roger Corman's New World Pictures, Hemlock Books. 2009 p 99
- Fighting Mad at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Corman, Roger (1979). The movie world of Roger Corman. Chelsea House. p. 154.
- Demme, Jonathan (1994). "Demme on Demme". Projections: a forum for film-makers. pp. 167–169.
- Fonda, Peter (1998). Don't tell dad : a memoir. Hyperion. p. 414. ISBN 9780786861118.
External links
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- 1976 films
- Films directed by Jonathan Demme
- Films set in Arkansas
- 1976 action films
- 20th Century Fox films
- Films produced by Roger Corman
- Films scored by Bruce Langhorne
- 1970s English-language films
- American action films
- 1970s American films
- English-language action films
- 1970s action film stubs
- 1970s American film stubs