Big Bad John
Big Bad John
PG-13 | 01 February 1990 (USA)
Big Bad John Trailers

Jimmy Dean's popular 1950 song is translated into a feature length movie about a young couple who elopes to escape the girl's evil stepfather.

Reviews
Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?
Ameriatch One of the best films i have seen
Brendon Jones It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.
Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.
OpticPoppa A good ol' boy film is almost required to have moonshine, car chases, a storyline that has a vague resemblance to "plot" and at least one very pretty country gal, barefoot with short shorts and a low top. The pretty gal is here (dressed in designer jeans)-- but the redneck prerequisites stop there. Jimmy Dean is a natural as a sausage spokesman but as a tough guy former sheriff, he comes up way short. Big John is big, but he isn't convincing with the "bad" part of his moniker. Bug-eyed Jack Elam is a hoot as always and Bo Hopkins has been playing this same part for decades; Ned Beatty also does his part in a small role... but there is no STORY. It smells more like an episode of In The Heat Of The Night than a feature film. Cornball cornpone with easily predictable sentiment. Perhaps the most glaring problem with this movie is Charlie Daniels singing the theme. You know the one; it was made famous by... Jimmy Dean.
tfrizzell The popular song by Jimmy Dean in the 1950s leads to this really terrible motion picture that never does make a whole lot of sense. Two young people decide to elope to escape her abusive step-father in this cut-and-paste mess that looks like it was thrown together on a boring weekend for the film-makers. The film includes the likes of Doug English (in the titled role), the usually dependable Ned Beatty (I don't know what he is doing in this film) and of course Jimmy Dean himself. Do anything other than sit and watch this. Turkey (0 stars out of 5).
Angi (hunkyguys85) All in all, Big Bad John was a hilarious, and touching movie. If you want romance, tragedy, and humor, this movie's got it. If you're a fan of the song (like I am) you pretty much know how it ends. But if you don't, or do and want to watch it anyway, I strongly recommend this movie. Jack Elam and Jimmy Dean are a hilarious pair with great chemistry. However, I wouldn't recommend this movie to strict urban folk. You have to understand where these people are supposed to be coming from, and only a handful of us are left. But even a few urban folk might understand it, and appreciate it for what it is: a good, down home movie that'll make you laugh, cry, and be inspired.
billybrown41 I'm a sucker for these kinds of movies but I really enjoyed Big Bad John. I'm sure no one has ever heard of it and I seriously doubt if any one will EVER read this review but since no one has bothered, I think I will "do the honors".I first saw this movie when I was nine years old. Well, I'm twenty now. It was cool then and it's cool now. I usually like anything with Bo Hopkins in it and this is no exception. Even though he is one of the baddies. This is just an old-fashioned, good ole boy flick. If that's your sort of thing and you can actually find a copy of this, give it a run