Moving Violation

Moving Violation

Year: 1976

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles S. Dubin

DramaCrimeComedy

When a drifter and a small‑town waitress accidentally witness a corrupt sheriff murder his own deputy, they are quickly framed for the crime. Hunted by the very officer they trusted, the duo must flee across the countryside, fighting to stay alive while trying to expose the sheriff’s betrayal.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Moving Violation yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Moving Violation (1976)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Moving Violation (1976). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Rockfield, Cody

Rockfield is a small oil town defined by wealth, power, and fear. Its landscape revolves around the oil field, a grand mansion district, and a drive-in where locals mingle under tension. The pursuit of justice turns the streets into a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game between corrupt officials and those trying to escape their grip. Cody serves as the neighboring town that appears during the fugitives' flight, intensifying the chase.

🛢️ Oil town 🏛️ Corrupt authority 🧭 Rural setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:24

Main Characters – Moving Violation (1976)

Meet the key characters of Moving Violation (1976), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Cam Johnson (Kay Lenz)

Cam is a spirited shopgirl who falls for Eddie and becomes his partner in flight. She shows quick wits and practical resourcefulness, helping him navigate the town’s dangers and plan their escapes. Her courage is tested as violence erupts and their fate hinges on a risky legal gambit. She ends in a catatonic state in hospital, yet her choice to stand by Eddie drives the story.

💖 Romance 🧭 Resourceful 🛡️ Loyal

Eddie Moore (Stephen McHattie)

Eddie is a drifter who arrives in Rockfield and becomes Cam's partner in love and flight. He is resourceful, determined, and willing to take drastic risks, including violence, to resist corruption. His actions drive the chase and the quest for justice, even as he faces losses. The arc highlights his complexity between love, mercy, and vengeance.

💥 Rebellious 🧭 Determined 🎯 Focused

Sheriff Rankin (Lonny Chapman)

Rankin is the town's corrupt sheriff, abusing his power to maintain control and silence dissent. He uses violence and intimidation to settle scores and protect the status quo. His pursuit of Eddie and Cam escalates into a brutal manhunt that undermines any pretense of justice. He embodies the law corrupted by fear and self-interest.

🗡️ Corruption 👮 Abuse of power 🔥 Violence

Alex Warren (Eddie Albert)

Alex is a lawyer who helps Eddie and Cam escape and coordinates with the attorney general to resolve their case. He acts as a strategic guide and facilitator, risking his safety to shepherd them toward a legal resolution. His efforts culminate in a tense plan that aims to reclaim justice through formal channels.

⚖️ Legal aid 🧭 Strategic 🗝️ Catalyst

Mr. H. L. Rockfield (Will Geer)

Rockfield is the town's wealthiest magnate, whose mansion and business interests shape the town's power dynamics. His influence anchors the social order that Rankin leverages, and his wealth stands as a backdrop to the conflict between legality and coercion. His prominence makes him a symbol of the economic forces behind the town's corruption.

💎 Wealth 🏛️ Power 🗝️ Influence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:24

Major Themes – Moving Violation (1976)

Explore the central themes of Moving Violation (1976), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Corruption

A sheriff uses his office to silence anyone who might threaten his grip on power. The film shows how money and status police the town, with Rankin bending rules to serve his own agenda. When Rankin shoots a deputy to cover up his actions, trust in the local system is shown to be deeply compromised. The pursuit of Eddie and Cam becomes a brutal critique of institutional corruption.

🏃 Escape

Eddie and Cam embark on a perilous flight across Rockfield, fighting to stay free from the law. They hijack cars, dodge deputies, and hide in plain sight, relying on quick wits and daring moves. The chase tests their resolve, loyalty, and willingness to break the law to survive. As the net tightens, alliances form and the plan evolves under extreme pressure.

💖 Love

Amid the danger, Eddie and Cam's relationship becomes a fragile beacon of humanity. Their moments together—romantic, intimate, and risky—show how love can endure under threat and influence bold, high-stakes decisions. The romance adds emotional weight to the pursuit and motivates risky gambits. Cam's courage and Eddie's determination are mutually reinforcing.

⚔️ Vigilantism

Eddie ultimately acts outside the law, using force in an attempt to dismantle the pursuit and confront Rankin. The film invites viewers to weigh justice against violence and asks whether vengeance can ever be cleanly resolved. The climax, ending with Rankin's death, leaves a town haunted by vengeance and the cost of taking justice into one's own hands. The closing moments suggest a fragile, unsettled sense of justice rather than a tidy conclusion.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:24

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Moving Violation

Don't stop at just watching — explore Moving Violation in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Moving Violation is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Moving Violation Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Moving Violation, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Moving Violation Summary

Moving Violation Timeline

Track the full timeline of Moving Violation with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Moving Violation Timeline

More About Moving Violation

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Moving Violation: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Moving Violation