Jonathan Demme directed Fighting Mad, his third low-budget exploitation actioner, starring Peter Fonda.
Fonda plays an Arkansas farmer who uses Guerrilla tactics against corrupt land developers evicting him and his neighbors in order to stripmine their land.
Producer Roger Corman was inspired by recent low-budget rural action- thrillers that became commercial hits: “Billy Jack” (1971), “Walking Tall” (1973), and “Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry” (1974).
All three featured an old-fashioned hero, off-beat sidekick, unusual mode of transport and interesting weapon. In this movie, Fonda’s character travels on old motorcycle with his toddler son and uses a crossbow.
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
Jonathan Demme Filmography:
Feature films
Caged Heat (1974)
Crazy Mama (1975)
Fighting Mad (1976)
Handle with Care (1977)
Last Embrace (1979)
Melvin and Howard (1980)
Swing Shift (1984)
Something Wild (1986)
Swimming to Cambodia (1987)
Married to the Mob (1988)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Philadelphia (1993)
Beloved (1998)
The Truth About Charlie (2002)
The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
A Master Builder (2013)
Ricki and the Flash (2015)
Documentaries
Stop Making Sense (1984)
Cousin Bobby (1992)
Storefront Hitchcock (1998)
The Agronomist (2003)
Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006)
Man from Plains (2007)
Neil Young Trunk Show (2009)
Neil Young Journeys (2011)
Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids (2016)