Ruckus is a 1980 American comedic action thriller film[2] written and directed by Max Kleven, and starring Dirk Benedict and Linda Blair.

Kyle Hanson is an emotionally bruised veteran of the Vietnam War who finds himself unable to rejoin mainstream society and lives as a drifter.

While stopping in a small Southern town to eat, local bullies begin harassing him, a situation that culminates in a violent altercation with redneck Homer, after which Kyle flees.

Kyle spends the night in a barn at the home of Jenny Bellows, a young mother whose husband went missing-in-action in Vietnam, and is presumed dead.

Sheriff Jethro Pough learns that Kyle was previously incarcerated in a military psychiatric hospital during his service, and was catatonic for over a year.

Following a high-speed chase, Kyle crashes the truck into a river but escapes, leading the townsmen to believe he is dead until they are unable to find his body.

Kyle returns to Jenny's home, where she reveals to him that Sheriff Pough has just informed her that her husband has been confirmed as deceased by the military.

The following morning, Deputy Dave brings a large gathering of men to the grain elevator to harass and beat Kyle.