Rolling Thunder (1977)

That was an excellent one.

Simply A Masterpiece

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Loved this from my first screening. Great acting, great story and great action. Probably couldn't be made in Hollywood today because of the need to be politically correct. Thank god for the 70s.

William Devane, the actor from "Family Plot" (1976), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, "Marathon Man"(1976), directed by John Schlesinger, and Tommy Lee Jones, the actor from "JFK"(1991), directed by Oliver Stone, "The Fugitive"(1993), directed by Andrew Davis, "No Country for Old Men"(2007), directed by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen. What do you want more for a film to be good? A good story signed Paul Schrader and a bunch of other good actors as Linda Haynes, Luke Askew, Cassie Yates, etc. I really would have liked to have in my real life a reliable friend as Johnny Vohden, the character played by Tommy Lee Jones. As I would have liked to have a girlfriend like Linda Forchet, the character played by Linda Haynes. But, real life is a little bit different, you can't find reliable people in it, all betray you sooner or later...

Paul Schrader has cooked up another treat for us in this low profile film, that deserves much more attention, believe you me. Devane, a vet, returns after spending 8 years in a POW camp, which a couple of scenes in black and white flashback of him being tortured, are truly and memorably powerful. Everything back home has become a bummer for him. His wife is looking to re marry a town cop, and take his son. He can't sleep, and of course he's having bad dreams, but hell is about to come raining down on him very quick. His wife and son are shot, and he's deprived of one of his arms, when these thugs invade his home, on account of all these silver dollars he's been awarded, a dollar per day he spent, rotting in that stinking camp, and when they ask ever so nicely to the locale of the coins, he stubbornly and silently resists. I couldn't believe, after seeing it a couple of times, that surging killer hot water, could melt the arm and take it off. He survives, where for revenge fans, this becomes golden to the grand and explosive shootout end. Tagging along with much younger groupie (Haynes) he heads to Mexico to wreak a bloody revenge on that murderous party, who actually have the balls to think, his ruin will just blow over. Devane, has a new advantage, his prosthetic new hand. One scene has his claw hand grabbing Askew's nuts, where you too really feel it. The casting is great and interesting, especially regarding the baddies, James 'Dukes Of Hazzard' Best, and Luke Askew, who really brings some nastily polished au natural characters to the screen. They are so good, particularly Best, I couldn't believe it, Askew, an ugly version of Peter Fonda. They are just two, among many other solid and great performances. Every actor delivers RT is very violent too, where if you like a good quality revenge flick, with heavy doses of violence, you will love this, although it moves at an unhurried pace, but this movie will rope you in, and when revenge time comes, you'll be howling with cheer. Great title song, (the first couple of images of film you won't forget) where there's a lot of a country feel to this probably almost forgotten flick, you should put on your definitely must see list. Devane is the man too, not overacting at all, it's beautiful. This is his movie, and if a Devane fan, this is the one to see him. The man to man talk with the new hubby in the shed, earlier in the flick, will raise some small giggles, but also some edginess. Tommy Lee Jones looks very young too, as Devane's nervous vet mate, (the range of scarred emotions he brings, was amazing). Here's a guy who has truly been effected by the war. He assists him in that hotel showdown in the finale, which is one great part of this flick among others. Love it.

Why You Might Like It: This is a pretty solid revenge movie that really gets you pulling for William Devane as Major Charles Rane. Not only is he a decorated POW that just returned from the Vietnam war, but he also has a score to settle with those who murdered his family. Devane does a nice job in the lead role and the supporting cast is pretty good as well with the likes of Tommy Lee Jones (although his role is limited). It is also an interesting look and character study of a POW after returning from Vietnam. There is plenty of action and drama to keep you interested.Why You Might Not Like It: There are definitely moments that drag a bit and this film isn't chalked full of over the top action. As mentioned, there is a lot of emphasis on the mind and demeanor of the lead character after returning from Vietnam as a POW. To me, the music seemed to be really off in spots and not very fitting for the movie at times. I will admit I felt a bit unfulfilled after watching the film and it seemed to end rather abruptly.Acting/Casting: 6.5* Directing/Cinematography/Technical: 5.5*Plot/Characters: 6* Entertainment Value: 6* Total - 6.5+5.5+6+6 = 24/4 = 6.0 - Worth a watch