The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning

The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning is a 2007 American comedy film directed by Robert Berlinger. It serves as a prequel to the 2005 movie The Dukes of Hazzard and aims to provide a backstory to the original series, first aired in the late 1970s to the mid-1980s. The movie features Randy Wayne as Luke Duke, Jonathan Bennett as Bo Duke, and April Scott as Daisy Duke, indulging the audience with the youthful spirits of these legendary characters before they became the renowned Dukes of Hazzard County.

As the title suggest, the film seeks to explain the genesis and the inspiration behind the adventurous, often mischievous, yet principled lives of the Duke boys and their cousin Daisy. The audience is taken back to the roots of the famous Duke family. Here, the Duke boys, Luke and Bo, are depicted as juvenile delinquents from the outset. Both Bo and Luke are sent to live with their Uncle Jesse, played by Willie Nelson, who himself was once a moonshiner, and their attractive cousin, Daisy Duke, in rural Hazzard County as probation after their respective run-ins with the law.

The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning places a strong emphasis on the shaping of these characters’ personalities within a small yet deep-rooted society. The film focuses on how their relationships, adventures, challenges, and even their vintage car - the General Lee become integral parts of their lives.

The same spirit of joyride and outmaneuvering the local law enforcement, which became characteristic of the original series, is vividly brought to life in this prequel. Just like the original series, the film also thrives on light humor, action sequences, and auto chases that make it an enjoyable and humorous watch.

The captivating character of Daisy Duke, portrayed by April Scott, presents the inception of Daisy’s transformation from a simple country girl to a charismatic and outgoing young woman. This transformation does not go unnoticed, especially by the local boys, adding another humorous and deeply entertaining angle to the plot.

Cleverly, the movie paints a picture of the Duke Boys' earliest encounters with their eventual arch-nemesis, Boss Hogg and Sheriff Rosco, played by actors Chris McDonald and Harland Williams respectively. Fans of the original series will enjoy seeing these characters' much younger, and perhaps even more hilariously corrupt versions.

On a deeper level, The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning showcases the themes of familial ties, sticking up for what is right, and the unyielding spirit of adventure and rebellion. Through comedic means and unique storytelling, it introduces the audience to the initial formation of the Duke family's rebellious yet defiantly moralistic personality traits, which are deeply cherished by their fans everywhere.

The director, Robert Berlinger, keeps the narrative strictly light-hearted, matching the overall tone and humor of the original series. The screenplay, written by Shane Morris, successfully captures the essence of the various characters, the humor, the reasonings, and motives behind their actions. Stunts and races form a considerable part of the film, keeping the audience entertained and astonished.

The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning is a satisfying watch for the fans of the original series. The casting is admirable, with Randy Wayne, Jonathan Bennett, and April Scott doing justice to the characters of Luke, Bo, and Daisy respectively. The movie is a worthy addition to the "The Dukes of Hazzard" saga, bringing back a cascade of nostalgia for those who followed the original series while simply presenting a hilarious and enjoyable watch for those exploring the Duke family's adventures for the first time.