North Dallas Forty cynically revealed the underbelly of professional football, examining the fallout when the attitudes and drugs of the early-1970s counter-culture meet the greedy and violent world of the NFL. Nick Nolte is perfect as the complicit but not totally amoral wide receiver with an out-of-order body. Country singer Mac Davis also turned in a fine debut performance as the slick quarterback with too much to lose. With Dallas and his previous film, Who'll Stop the Rain, Nolte gained acclaim for his portrayals of tough but troubled heroes. Director Ted Kotcheff had a moderate string of hits in the 1970s, including The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.