Truck Driver Movies: High-Ballin’ (1978)

This mostly unknown gem stars Peter Fonda and Jerry Reed. Reed seems to be a staple in Hollywood’s romance with trucking back in the 70s and 80s alongside stars like Burt Reynolds and Kris Krisstofferson. There’s plenty of gear crunching action that fans of White Line Fever, Truck Stop Women and Convoy will love.

In this film, a rash of hijackings threaten the way of life and profit margins of independent trucking companies. Yeah, it’s basically your standard western duel that substitute horses for trucks and motorcycles, and guns for…iron pipes, maybe?

Just like in many romanticized truck driver films from the era, the story revolves around big biz interests trying to put the squeeze on independent truckers. Jerry Reed as The Iron Duke just doesn’t feel like playing along, and hires his buddy Rane (Peter Fonda) to crack some heads and run some diversions. There’s also a love interest side story and blah blah, you know the drill.

The Iron Duke and his boys manage to pound the pavement and have some good clean fun, for the most part. It’s more action than comedy, and gets a bit sleepy, but all the ducks, dives, bashes, crashes and explosions on the roads can keep truckers from the classic era entertained. It’s also kind of a kick to hear Duke and his gang blurt out Hollywood-ized CB lingo. It’s nearly pure gibberish, and should give you a chuckle. If you want to check it against a list of real CB Trucking Lingo, step right this way.

Enjoy, truck drivers!

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