Fighting Mad

Fighting Mad (1976)

When You Push Too Far, Even A Peaceful Man Gets Fighting Mad.

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.

Date of release
1976-02-21
TMDB
4.6 / 10 (13)
Runtime
1h 30m
Genres
Drama, Action, Crime
Director
Jonathan Demme

Casting

Interesting facts

  • Budget: $600K

Fighting Mad is a 1976 American Southern Gothic vigilante thriller film written and directed by Jonathan Demme, produced by Roger Corman. It stars Peter Fonda as an Arkansas farmer who uses guerrilla tactics against corrupt land developers attempting to evict his family and his neighbors in order to stripmine their land. The cast also features Lynn Lowry, John Doucette, Philip Carey, Noble Willingham and Scott Glenn.

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.

Demme had made Caged Heat for 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.

Filming took place on location in the Ozarks region of northwest Arkansas, with most scenes shot in rural Washington County, and around Fayetteville. Additional scenes were shot in neighboring Fort Smith and Clarksville.

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."

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