Lolly Madonna XXX

Set in Tennessee circa 1972 the film concerns the feud between two rural clans, the Feathers and the Gutshalls, over a piece of desirable land. The patriarchs of the respective clans, Laban Feather (Rod Steiger) and Pap Gutshall (Robert Ryan), exploit their offspring in continuing the squabble starting with petty vandalism which then escalates to rape and murder. This is a smoking powder keg on the verge of exploding and there's no apparent civil law to impede it. The theme of blood wars on display here has its American precedent in the famed Hatfield and McCoy feud. The patriarchs instigate the war illustrated in the film using their offspring as cannon fodder and the inevitable outcome is there are no winners leaving the respective parties to oversee the body count. This is a gut wrenching film almost Shakespearean in its level of tragedy that also uses the then ongoing Vietnamese conflict as a parallel. It is also a good showcase for then fledgling talent that includes Jeff Bridges, Gary Busey, Randy Quaid, and Season Hubley. "Lolly-Madonna XXX" is another unsung gem from the Seventies when American filmmakers took chances and challenged their audience.

I was in the Navy, and stationed in Long Beach California, and downtown Long Beach had in those days (1970's) about 8 movie theaters within a 6 block radius. This is where I first saw this movie, and thinking how different and raw this movie was. The story line somewhat intriguing, the acting top notch and music...oh that music, haunting. Only really familiar with Robert Ryan and Rod Stieger actor star power, man little did I know the actors that were on the horizon soon to become house hold names, Jeff Bridges, Scott Wilson, Gary Busey, Randy Quaid, to name a few.It would be another 40 years, and countless hours of trying to find this movie like so many other's (Murder He Say's The Court Jester) that for some reason never was released to DVD. This is one of those movies that I can introduce to my friends at a social gathering, and get at the end of the movie, where did you get this movie, how long ago was it done, where can I get a copy? And with hearing that as far as its star rating....nuff said.

Based on Sue Grafton's first novel, this movie does a credible job of portraying the rivalry between two families in rural America. The fire that lights the major conflict between the two families is just a simple love letter sent as a practical joke. When an innocent young woman gets swept up into the feud, what were once just small acts of vengeance turn into open warfare. This is an excellent cast with terrific performances by Rob Steiger and Robert Ryan and a chance to see early appearances by Jeff Bridges, Gary Busey, Randy Quaid and Ed Lauter. I saw this movie in the theater when it was first released in 1972 and am very happy to have it in my movie collection now. By the way, if you happen to have a copy of the book, you may want to see what it's worth.

No it did not it ended up being a trailer only. I felt like I got ripped off. I bought it for my father-in-law and made me look bad.

This was filmed in my hometown when I was a kid. I actually was sitting on a bank watching them film and wondered if I could see me sitting there in a particular scene. Watched the movie and did not see myself. lolThe movie was lacking but brought back memories for me.

I was so happy to get this movie. I kept looking off and on for years but wasn't willing to pay hundreds of dollars for it. Getting it for under 20 dollars was a blessing for me. It arrived quickly and sealed and in perfect condition.

An all-star cast. That is one of the only positives of this movie. Rod Steiger, Robert Ryan, Jeff Bridges, Gary Busey, Ed Lauter, Randy Quaid, Season Hubely and Joan Goodfellow are featured in this film about two feuding families in ?Tennessee? It takes place in the early 1970s. The Gutshalls and the Feather families are fighting over some land that once belonged to the other family but was lost to taxes and auctioned off and the other family bought it and the rift began. Then a Gutshall brother played a joke on the Feather brothers by writing a phony postcard saying some girl is coming into town named Lolly Madonna and the Feather brothers decide they are going to kidnap her. They kidnap a girl who just happens to get off the bus and is sitting there waiting on her suitcase. This film is as bad as it sounds. It devolved around the end, the characters and plot were basically spelled out for the viewer. I had never heard of it and was confused by the title having XXX thinking it was a hardcore movie. Thankfully it wasn’t. It represents x’s like in xxxooo like kisses and hugs. The movie is a bit campy and melodramatic and let’s not even talk about the obvious misogyny going on with the female characters. It has a scene of sexual assault (not graphic), lots of gun violence and even arson and animal cruelty (those poor pigs!). The kidnap victim ends up falling for one of her captors (Jeff Bridges). Stockholm syndrome anyone? Saw it, and can now say “yes, I saw that movie.” Wouldn’t give it 5 stars but I liked the all star cast. I would say it was worth 1.99 rental. 3 1/2 stars. For the cast.

Saw this TV movie in the early 70s and loved it. Tried to find a VHS copy, but failed, then was able to tape it off television a few years later. Finally, it is in DVD form for everyone to enjoy. Hatfield and McCoy themed, the story pits two hillbilly families against each other over piddly quabbles and eventually ends in a hail of bullets and tragedy. The actors and settings are superb and the storyline keeps one screwed to their seat in anticipation. Only wish there could have been a sequel or sorts. All in all, I'm giving this movie five stars, simply because of the realism and the fact the characters are flawed yet lovable.