how it all started in 1973

 The film was written and directed by GY Waldron and is based on the life and stories of ex-moonshiner Jerry Rushing, who has a small role in the movie and served as a technical advisor.  It is listed in the book The Greatest Movie Car Chases of All Time.   

Moonrunners was filmed during the fall of 1973 in Williamson and Haralson Georgia.  Many of the original filming locations have changed significantly since the film was produced. A comprehensive photo journal of filming locations as they exist now is just below. 

 "Moonrunners" is a 1975 action comedy film starring James Mitchum, about a southern family who runs bootleg liquor. It was reworked four years later into the popular long-running television series The Dukes of Hazzard and the two productions share some similarities. Mitchum had co-starred with his father, Robert Mitchum, in the similar drive-in favorite Thunder Road 18 years earlier, which also focused upon moonshine-running bootleggers using fast cars to elude federal agents. Moonrunners, a B-movie, was filmed in 1973 and awaited release for over a year. Its music was performed by Waylon Jennings who also serves as the balladeer in the film.