Rolling Thunder (or Thundering Thunder), Rolling Thunder (1977) is a very strong film, dynamic and looks in one breath, despite the fact that it was shot quite a long time ago. As in the films of the iconic Sam Peckinpah, there is also a lot of cruelty and blood here.
Starring William Devane with a face expressing both dignity and some contempt for the surrounding reality: the corners of the lips are turned down. This trademark grin is his business card, the same as the squint of Clint Eastwood’s eyes.
Texas, the town of San Antonio is waiting for its hero. Major Charles Rain and other veterans are returning home from the war from years of captivity. His appearance alone inspires respect and says Major well:
“Everything we’ve been through has made us real men, real officers, real Americans.”
The movie’s screensaver features the Denny Brooks – San Antonio song. Such an overly optimistic mood of music immediately inspires anxiety.
Denny Brooks – San Antone
Linda Furshet (Linda Haines) has been in love with the main character for a long time and despite the fact that she leads the life of a free girl, longs for his favor, she has been waiting for him out of captivity all the years.
It’s nice to see young Tommy Lee Jones. He plays John Woden, the major’s friend. He looks like an insecure guy, not adapted to civilian life, but an experienced soldier.
“Major, I’m embarrassed to look into the eyes of these people! “Then wear sunglasses!”
Johnny lives in El Paso. Saying goodbye, he invites Rain to visit him, he certainly promises to be there. As if he was looking into the water.
Rain has returned from many years of Vietnamese captivity, he still has hope for a new life with his family. His son almost doesn’t remember him, the major wants to get closer to him, although he doesn’t know how yet, but the boy is also attracted to him.
One organization gives the major a Cadillac and 2555 silver dollar coins, one for each day in captivity. And another dollar for good luck. The ceremony is broadcast on TV. And the very next day, bad guys show up at his house. Local bandits turn out to be even worse than the enemies who held him captive.
They show inhuman, simply grotesque cruelty. Nothing is sacred to them, they feel like absolute masters who can easily take the lives of innocent people. Of course, you immediately feel a burning hatred for such scum, and of course, a quick death will be too luxurious a gift for them.
After all this, only one shell remains of Charles Rain, who can neither feel nor empathize. After watching it, I found out that the film is one of Quentin Tarantino’s favorites. Well, the Mexican prodigy of cinema has always had good taste.
Written by Paul Schroeder (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ), directed by John Flynn (Prison).
I must say, not all Peckinpah’s films have blood and cruelty. First of all, I remember the Convoy – everything is quiet and peaceful there, in general. By the way, it will be necessary to write about the Convoy…
Yes, the film Convoy with Kris Kristofferson is a suitable candidate for our cozy magazine. There, the police are shown as very cruel guys.
Finally looked. It’s a little empty somehow. Average cinema. The whole movie was watched on a red Cadillac as a result. The Convoy will be better, in terms of films from Peckinpah. In terms of films about Vietnam veterans – well, for example, This is My Park with the same Tommy Lee Jones. in terms of films about Cadillacs – well, Grand Theft Parsons, for example. In general, average. Not bad, but nothing outstanding, at all.