Movies set in America's Deep South -

The Deep South region of the United States has provided a suitably steamy and sultry backdrop for numerous Hollywood movies, anything from the sweeping Civil War epic 'Gone with the Wind' (1939) to the classic courtroom drama 'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1962). As the birthplace of the civil rights movement, many films made in the Southern states of America deal with segregation, prejudice, and the struggle for freedom. Music, too, plays an important role, the location forever associated with the rise of country music and rock and roll. So, what are some of the famous films drawn to the atmosphere and the iconography of the Deep South?

Click through this list of southern-made movies to find out.

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'Gone with the Wind' (1939) -

Set in 19th-century Georgia, no other film portrays a more tragic and romantic vision of the Deep South than 'Gone with the Wind,' the epic story of which unfolds during the American Civil War. Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable star in one of the most celebrated movies ever made.

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'A Streetcar Named Desire' (1951) -

A smoldering Marlon Brando gives one of his finest ever screen performances in Elia Kazan's adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play. The story is set in a steamy, squalid, and claustrophobic New Orleans tenement. Vivien Leigh and Kim Hunter also get hot under the collar.

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'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1962) -

Based on Harper Lee's 1960 Pulitzer Prize–winning novel of the same name, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' stars Gregory Peck as Depression-era Alabama lawyer Atticus Finch, who defends a black man accused of sexual assault. By doing so, he also also attempts to guard the defendant's children against prejudice.

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'In the Heat of the Night' (1967) -

Made at the height of the Civil Rights movement sweeping across America, 'In the Heat of the Night' examines racial tensions and racial unity, as a black Philadelphia detective (Sidney Poitier) reluctantly teams up with a bigoted sheriff (Rod Steiger) to solve a murder. While set in Mississippi, the movie was shot in Illinois at Poitier's request after problems that other productions filmed in the south had faced when using black actors.

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'Carmen Jones' (1954) -

Based on George Bizet's 19th-century opera 'Carmen,' Otto Preminger's all-black adaptation begins in North Carolina and ends up in Chicago, but not before Dorothy Dandridge, Pearl Bailey, and Harry Belafonte take time out in Louisiana to deliver some of the film's most memorable song and dance numbers.

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'Deliverance' (1972) -

In John Boorman's seminal survival thriller, the Deep South becomes enemy territory as four city businessmen embark on a kayaking expedition down the Chattanooga River only to meet a bunch of murderous hillbillies. 'Deliverance' was shot primarily in northeastern Georgia, with additional scenes filmed in South Carolina.

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'King Creole' (1958) -

Often cited by movie critics as Elvis Presley's best movie, 'King Creole' was filmed on location in New Orleans and sees Presley's character, Danny Fisher, become embroiled with a local mobster (Walter Matthau) while tempted by the affections of his mistress, Ronnie (Carolyn Jones). Musical numbers include 'Trouble,' Dixieland Rock,' and the smash hit 'Hard Headed Woman.'

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'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' (1958) -

Written as a play by Tennessee Williams, 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' takes place in the sweltering Mississippi Delta where family tensions are brought to boil. Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, and Burl Ives star in this acclaimed movie.

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'My Cousin Vinny' (1992) -

Two young New Yorkers, portrayed by Ralph Macchio and Mitchell Whitfield, are arrested and put on trial in rural Alabama for a murder they didn't commit. Hapless Brooklyn lawyer Joe Pesci, a cousin of one of the accused, is hired to defend the two men. He arrives with his fiancée (Marisa Tomei) and both quickly find themselves at odds with the more reserved and conservative Southern way of life.

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'Smokey and the Bandit' (1977) -

One of the most successful road movies ever made—and one of Burt Reynolds' biggest hits of his career— 'Smokey and the Bandit' motored through various Georgia locations to become the second-highest-grossing domestic film of 1977, after 'Star Wars.' Reynolds and co-star Sally Field (pictured) began a relationship after meeting on set.

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'Selma' (2014) -

Named for the Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches of 1965, this historical drama stars David Oyelowo as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the civil rights leader who along with others fronted the protests. Filming took place in Georgia and Alabama, at locations where the actual events took place. 

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'The Blind Side' (2009) -

Atlanta, Georgia, provided the backdrop for this biographical sports drama that tells the story of Michael Oher, an American football offensive lineman who overcame an impoverished upbringing to play in the National Football League. Oher's adoptive parents, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, are credited with motivating him to succeed against almost insurmountable odds. Quinton Aaron and Sandra Bullock head the cast.

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'Driving Miss Daisy' (1989) -

The relationship between wealthy Jewish widow Daisy Werthan and Hoke Coburn, her African-American chauffeur, is examined closely as Miss Daisy is driven to her various appointments in and around Atlanta in late 1940s Georgia.

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'Walk the Line' (2005) -

Joaquin Phoenix stars as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter in this critically acclaimed biographical musical drama, filmed in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

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'Fried Green Tomatoes' (1991) -

Much of what takes place in 'Fried Green Tomatoes' unfolds in an Alabama nursing home, though filming actually took place in Senoia, Georgia. Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy head an impressive cast.

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'Big Fish' (2003) -

Tim Burton's fantasy-comedy was filmed entirely on location in Alabama, mostly in Wetumpka and Montgomery. A critical and commercial success, 'Big Fish' stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, and Danny DeVito.

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'Mississippi Burning' (1988) -

The real-life murders of three civil rights volunteers in June 1964 in Mississippi was the inspiration for director Alan Parker's 'Mississippi Burning,' which was filmed at various locations in the state. Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe are the FBI agents investigating the case.

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'Steel Magnolias' (1989) -

'Steel Magnolias' is the tale of six women who live in a small town in Louisiana who end up coming to terms with the death of one of their own. The town of Natchitoches, in fact, served as the film's location. Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, and Julia Roberts are the ladies in question.

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'The Notebook' (2004) -

Several South Carolina locations including Wadmalaw Island, Charleston, and Rice Hope Plantation provide backdrops for this romantic drama set in the 1940s and which stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.

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'Coal Miner's Daughter' (1980) -

'Coal Miner's Daughter' follows the story of country music singer Loretta Lynn (Sissy Spacek) from her early teen years in Kentucky to her rise as one of the most influential country musicians ever. Besides Kentucky, scenes were also shot in Virginia.

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'Forrest Gump' (1994) -

Locations in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina were used to tell the story of a slow-witted and kindhearted man from Alabama called Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks). Clever visual effects were used to incorporate Hanks into archived footage and to develop other scenes.

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'Mud' (2012) -

Matthew McConaughey is the eponymous Mud, a fugitive hiding on a small island on the Mississippi River. One day he's discovered by two teenaged boys, who agree to pass the stranger food in exchange for his boat. In doing so, they unwittingly give away his location. Dry and sunny Arkansas locations include Dumas, De Witt, and Crocketts Bluff.

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'The Long, Hot Summer' (1958) -

'The Long, Hot Summer' is essentially a melding together of three works by author William Faulkner, widely considered the greatest writer of Southern literature. In this Martin Ritt-directed picture filmed in Clinton, Louisiana, Paul Newman's conman Ben Quick raises the temperature as he ingratiates himself with the Varner family, whose patriarch is Will (Orson Welles).

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'Beasts of the Southern Wild' (2012) -

At age nine, Quvenzhané Wallis became the youngest actress ever to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Hushpuppy in this fantasy-drama, which was filmed in Montegut, a town in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.

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'The Fugitive Kind' (1960) -

Marlon Brando sizzles in his snakeskin jacket as a guitar-playing drifter who quits New Orleans for work in Louisiana. There he meets bar owner Anna Magnani, and passions start to simmer. Sidney Lumet directs the picture, which is based on Tennessee Williams' 1957 play 'Orpheus Descending.'

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'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' (1997) -

Directed by Clint Eastwood, this intriguing mystery movie was filmed entirely in Savannah, Georgia, and follows the story of real-life antiques dealer Jim Williams, on trial for the murder of a male prostitute. Kevin Spacey portrays Williams, and is joined by John Cusack, Jack Thompson, Alison Eastwood, and a young Jude Law in an early screen role.

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'Angel Heart' (1987) -

A missing person's case takes New York private investigator Harry Angel (Micky Rourke) to New Orleans and a dangerous world of witchcraft and black magic. The Louisiana town of Thibodaux is also featured. Charlotte Rampling, Lisa Bonet, and a very menacing Robert De Niro costar.

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'Down by Law' (1986) -

Underrated and overlooked, 'Down by Law' is a neo-noir and offbeat comedy that sees two men framed and banged up in a New Orleans jail. While inside, they meet a murderer who helps them escape. All three then have to negotiate the swampy and humid Louisiana bayou, a far tougher proposition than any could have imagined. Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni sweat it out.

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'Undertow' (2004) -

'Undertow' takes place in Georgia and tells the story of two boys pursued by a murderous uncle. A decaying Southern landscape serves to further darken this psychological thriller, which stars Dermot Mulroney, Jamie Bell, and Devon Alan.

Sources: (Classic Movie Hub) (Savannah Morning News) (PBS)

See also: Stars who are surprisingly from Southern states

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