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Thunder RoadRating:
Release Date: 14 August, 2001 Retail Price: $14.95 OUR Price: $11.96 You SAVE: $2.99! Cast: Complete Cast (6 total) |
Thunder Road Reviews
Reliving my youth
I was 12 years old when this movie was made, and its impact on me was immense. It is what probably singlehandedly sparked my interest in cars, which eventually led to a lifetime as a "gearhead", many trips down the drag strip, and a career as an engineer working in and around the auto industry.
Yes, the chase scenes and much else about the movie are hokey by today's filmmaking standards, but that is true of almost any 50s-era black and white film. I am sure that it would not appeal much to anyone younger than about 40, but for those of us who remember those days, it's a powerful piece of nostalgia.
I would put this along with the other significant motoring-related films that I never tire of rewatching, "Bullitt" and "Grand Prix".
Thunder was his engine, white lighting was his load...
The Amazon editorial review for Thunder Road (1958) begins "The preeminent moonshine movie, the 1958 Thunder Road stars Robert Mitchum as a backwoods bootlegger in Tennessee, getting squeezed by both the federal government and organized crime." The preeminent moonshine movie? This would suggest to me a whole sub genre of films about moonshiners, and after a quick search, sure enough, there were any number of films dedicated to the making, selling, and distribution of illegal hooch including The Moonshine War (1970), I Walk the Line (1970), with Gregory Peck no less, White Lighting (1973), and Moonrunners (1975), to name a few (the genre appears to date back to the very early days of cinema, but eventually petered out in the late 70's). Directed by Arthur Ripley (The Chase), the film stars Robert Mitchum, who, incidentally, had a hand in writing and producing the film, and even composed some of the original music (although his version of `Thunder Road' isn't present in the film. Also appearing is Robert's oldest son James, Gene Barry (The War of the Worlds), Jacques Aubuchon (The Love God?), singer, and one time wife to Louis Prima, Keely Smith, and Sandra Knight (Frankenstein's Daughter, Tower of London). Very brief appearances to look for... Jerry Hardin, a character actor whom many may know as the original `Deep Throat' character in the X-Files Television series, and a very young Mitch Ryan, who more recently appeared on the television series `Dharma & Greg', as Greg's uptight father.
Robert Mitchum is Lucas Doolin, a man who comes from a long line of whisky makers, located somewhere in the southeastern United States. Now, from what I can tell, there's about three or four things you can do in the south to make a living...pig farming, growing tobacco or cotton, or making that old timey sipping whiskey...problem with that last profession is it's illegal, and basically only because the gooberment can't tax it...there's also the factor that some of it may be made in such a way as to be impure and ultimately dangerous to consume, but that's relatively minor the whole lost revenue issue. Anyway, it's a family affair for Lucas as his father makes the shine, Lucas delivers the shine (generally termed transporter in the film), and Lucas' brother Robin (James Mitchum) is the mechanic, keeping Lucas' cars in tip top running order, even adding a few James Bondian modifications when necessary (his dream is to ride with his brother, but Lucas is dead set against his little brother becoming any more entangled in the business). Anyway, on top of having to deal with the gooberment types, there's also the emergence of Kogan (Aubuchon), a shady, yet smooth talking criminal with visions of unifying all the still owners and drivers under one organization, led by Kogan of course, even if it means using strong arm tactics and the occasional murder here or there. The stakes are high and chances of death higher, but if this film taught me anything it's hillbillies are a stubborn lot, and once the moonshinin' gets in their blood, they ain't a never going to stop.
I did like this film a lot, and it seems I'm not alone. A long time staple of southern drive-ins, Thunder Road speaks not only to specific population, but deals in terms many can understand. The underlying theme seems to be the ingress of a gooberment determined to take what it believes to be its' share, and an individual's right to do as he pleases on his own land, especially if it's particular trade passed down from generation to generation. The main theme is a small group of whiskey makers and their unwillingness to acquiesce to outside forces, regardless of the consequences (actually, after the demise of a few `transporters', the small band decides to suspend operations until the heat dies down). The film does have its' share of problems (continuity flubs, poor acting, etc.), but the production ultimately overcomes these issues solely based on Mitchum Sr.'s performance. My favorite Mitchum film has always been (and still is) The Night of the Hunter (1955), but this one ranks very high. The casting of Mitchum's real life son James as his character's younger brother was interesting and worked well, as the two look a heckuva lot alike (almost to the point of twins), but I couldn't help feel a little creepy as the twenty plus year age difference seemed to be apparent (I know, I know, this separation in age can occur in siblings, especially in the south, but it's just not something I'm used to, being a Yankee and all). The car chase sequences are certainly thrilling (apparently many of the cars used were real moonshining cars, sold to the production by real transporters who then used the money to by newer, faster cars), and I especially liked the cool modifications Lucas had on his car (the quick release bumper, oil slick, etc.) The plot did slow down at certain points, especially when Lucas was interacting with his girlfriends, but I think the point here was to give definition to Mitchum's character, so for any of us watching the film and asking, `Well, if what he's doing has become so dangerous, why doesn't he just quit?', we can see things aren't as simple as they may appear, presenting a story tinged with a sort of Shakespearian quality, especially as the ominous portends around the main character continue to build.
The full screen, original format picture looks fairly sharp throughout, with some very minor age deterioration, and the audio came through fairly clear. Special features include an original theatrical trailer, and on the back of the DVD it does say a collectable booklet is included, but mine seems to be missing. Remember kiddies, the next time you're high ballin' it with 250 gallons of Tennessee's finest mountain juice, keep your eyes peeled on the road in front...spike strips are real and they will ruin your day.
Cookieman108
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