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Martin Sheen seduces two backwoods sisters while their Civil War grandpa naps in the corner. Southern gothic chaos.
TMDB
30
IMDb
48
Watch(US)

When the Line Goes Through (1972)

Dusty desperationCreepy charismaPorch-swing dread

Overview

Drama

Bluff Jackson is a smooth talking drifter with a questionable past. His travels take him to an isolated backwoods station where two sisters, totally ignorant of the modern world, are caring for their elderly civil war veteran grandfather.

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Content warning

Standout Aspects

Acting

Sheen's snake-oil charm at absolute peak sliminess

Direction

Ware's claustrophobic backwoods atmosphere

Best for:Solo: Late night when you want to feel unsettled·Streaming: Deep-cut 70s discovery for film masochists
Heads up:Sexual Content: Manipulation and coercion with two isolated young women·Disturbing: Age-gap predation played as seduction
Clyde Ware

Director

Clyde Ware

ReleasedSep 24, 1972
Runtime1h 25m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feelheavy
Budget$100K
Delaware Pictures
Jud-Lee Productions

Top Cast

Martin Sheen

Martin Sheen

Bluff Jackson

Beverly Washburn

Beverly Washburn

Rayme Rucker

Davey Davison

Davey Davison

Mayme Rucker

Jim Boles

Jim Boles

Grandpa Rucker

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Clyde Ware was primarily a TV writer for westerns like Gunsmoke; this was one of his rare theatrical features.

Cultural

The 'Tennessee Williams tradition' quote in marketing is doing heavy lifting—this is basically Baby Doll's grimy exploitation cousin.

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