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Drama Cult Classic

Fast cars, small-town Georgia, and a wild hitchhiker spell trouble for two drag-racing dreamers.

RETURN TO MACON COUNTY

Two guys, a chick and the hottest '57 Chevy on the road!

1975 · 1h 30m · PG · Drama · IMDB TMDB

Two young men in a fast car travel through Georgia in the summer of 1958 en route to enter the National Championship drag races in California. In Macon County they pick up a wild girl who brings trouble and attract the ire of a local cop.

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Quick Answer

What is Return to Macon County about?

Return to Macon County is a 1975 American drama directed by Richard Compton about two young men traveling through Georgia in 1958 en route to a drag race, whose journey takes a dangerous turn after they pick up a troubled girl and attract the attention of a relentless local cop.

Programmer's Pick

Come for the classic cars and period rock soundtrack, stay for Don Johnson and Nick Nolte outmaneuvering small-town Georgia law. If hixploitation and greaser-era drag races are your scene, this is a joyride with a few hairpin turns.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set during the sweltering summer of 1958, Return to Macon County follows Bo, a driver, and Harley, his mechanic, as they road-trip through Georgia in hopes of entering the National Championship drag races in California. A stop at a roadside diner introduces them to Junell, a mysterious and impulsive young woman eager to escape her small-town life. After a scuffle at the diner, Junell tags along, but her unpredictable behavior soon entangles the group in a spiraling chain of events. A misunderstanding at a grocery store brings them to the attention of Sergeant Wittaker, a local cop whose determination to catch them escalates their adventure from a carefree journey to a tense and dangerous run across county lines.

Details & Specs

Director
Richard Compton
Writer
Richard Compton
Release
1975
Runtime
1h 30m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Drama
Also Known As
Macon County II

Why This Matters

This film features early performances by Nick Nolte and Don Johnson before their rise to stardom, and was re-released by Orion Pictures in the late 1990s, highlighting its enduring appeal within the action drama genre.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Richard Compton Writer: Richard Compton
Nick Nolte Nick Nolte Bo Hollinger Don Johnson Don Johnson Harley McKay Robin Mattson Robin Mattson Junell Robert Viharo Robert Viharo Sergeant Bob Wittaker MG Matt Greene Pete Devon Ericson Devon Ericson Betty PC Philip Crews Larry WG Walt Guthrie Big Man in Coffee Shop MA Mary Ann Hearn Pat SK Sam Kilman Cook BM Bill Moses Sheriff Jackson PO Pat O'Connor Officer Harris ED Eugene Daniels Tom Ron Prather Ron Prather Steve LS Laura Sayer Libby JR Jeanne Rogers Hitchhiker MH Maurice Hunt Motel Owner (uncredited)

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Why Cult

Greaser-Era Road Trip

Relive 1958 with two young men and a Chevy, tearing across Georgia in pursuit of drag-racing glory.

Hixploitation Vibes

The film leans into Southern grit and small-town drama, complete with a hard-nosed local cop and diner showdowns.

Classic Hot Rod Cars

Chevrolets, Fords, and drag races galore—this is a love letter to vintage American muscle on the open road.

Run-In With Authority

A relentless sergeant's pursuit amps up the tension as misunderstandings and manhunts put the trio on the run.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Return to Macon County? +

Return to Macon County was directed by Richard Compton.

How long is Return to Macon County? +

Return to Macon County has a runtime of 90 minutes.

What genre is Return to Macon County? +

Return to Macon County is a drama.

Where can I watch Return to Macon County? +

You can watch Return to Macon County on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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