Fighting Mad (1976 film)

Fighting Mad
Fighting Mad
	Theatrical release poster by Joseph Smith
Directed by	Jonathan Demme
Written by	Jonathan Demme
Produced by	Roger Corman
Starring	Peter Fonda; Lynn Lowry; Harry Northup; John Doucette; Philip Carey;
Cinematography	Michael W. Watkins
Edited by	Anthony Magro
Music by	Bruce Langhorne
Production; company	Santa Fe Productions
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	October 8, 1976;
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.^[2]

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.^[1] 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."^[3]

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.^[4]

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."^[5]

Reception

The film was a box office disappointment.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c 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.