As denoted by its title I Walk The Line is distinguished by its use of a country music soundtrack supplied by Johnny Cash. Because Cash's biggest hit was used as the title of this film, the fine biographical film that starred Joaquin Phoenix many years later had the 'I' cut from the title.Gregory Peck with the exception of an occasional rogue as in Duel In The Sun usually is the most upright of moral heroes. His very uprightness is turned on its ear in I Walk The Line with a plot that somewhat resembles The Blue Angel. Peck is the local sheriff who has been ordered by Federal Man Lonny Chapman to clean out a nest of moonshiners. He makes it clear he wouldn't do that on his own as these people supplement their very existence from the untaxed alcohol the sell.But then Peck is given a really good reason not to pursue one of these families. He's going through the usual forty something midlife crisis and when he stops Tuesday Weld for speeding, the little hillbilly tramp really sparks his engine. With the connivance of her moonshiner father Ralph Meeker, she and Peck go at it hot and heavy. He uses his official position to cover this family up and it all ends really badly for Peck. Director John Frankenheimer does leave Peck's fate as uncertain at the end, but the viewer will not think of any good options for him.Mixing films like The Blue Angel and Thunder Road doesn't quite jell. Tuesday Weld is certainly one seductive sight, but somehow I could never wrap my mind around Gregory Peck falling for her. Maybe then we're all vulnerable, even Atticus Finch.The film didn't do much for the careers of the folks behind and in front of the camera. Then again Peck was not getting too many good film offers at this point in his career. But if you like Johnny Cash this is your film, his singing is the best thing about it.

This movie was filmed in a small un-incorprated town in Overton County Tennessee called Davidson (not to be confused with Davidson County.) It is close to Wilder Tennessee, I went to school in Both Davidson and Wilder.When they came to film the movie the town is so small that we were in their way trying to see Gregory and Tuesday. The directors paid us 5 dollars each to run around an old house and told us we were going to be in the movie, just to get rid of us because we kept trying to get in front of the camera.Well 5 dollars was a lot so we ran for a while. When the movie came out we were very disappointed that we were not in it.They did however have my Grandfather rocking on the porch at the end of the movie, in an old fashion wooden rocking chair. the old grey haired man. his name was Paul Brown, nick name Shird Brown cause his middle name was Shirely.My grandfather is dead now but we always have the movie to remember him by, we fast forward past it to the end so we can see him alive.I give my thanks to the directors, they however never even paid him or told him he was going to be in the film.But they did film it where I grew up.Oh how I wish I was that age again.Richard Golden from Davidson Tennessee originally.

A totally under-appreciated and unseen film (except for some Gregory Peck fans) with Estelle Parsons and Ralph Meeker and the glorious totally bashed actress (in movies since age 12) and this is AFTER Pretty Poison, a witty and insightful script directed by (apparently a one-shot guy, Noel Black) that nobody got to see!1970 was a great year for films and this didn't make my top TEN, but it's very interesting...with a moral that actually plays out in a semi-realistic and human AMERICAN way, but unfortunately, it was considered drive-in fare by whatever studio released it. Try to find this one. It's like Deliverance combined with Love with the Proper Stranger and it's quite unique, mainly because of Tuesday Weld's performance. An 8 out of 10 in a very good year. Best performance = T. Weld.

I happened upon the film on French television. It was very well done. Gregory Peck gave a wonderful performance. The changes in his character and his anguish were felt. I was impressed that in 1970 there was a nude bedroom scene. I did compare it to Damage with Jeremy Irons and what they visibly display nowadays. G.P. and Tuesday Weld did a great job without that display. Ralph Meeker was a charmer as always. It does not require an R rating. The incest was suggested in a subtle fashion. Albeit an eerie moment. The photography was very interesting. I am not a Johnny Cash fan but his music was fitting. Loved the film. Azignon