Thunder Road

Thunder Road

10/5/1958 1h 32m 6.0/10

Overview

Unrepentant Tennessee moonshine runner Luke Doolin makes dangerous high-speed deliveries for his liquor-producing father, Vernon, but won't let his younger brother Robin join the family business. Under pressure from both out-of-town gangster Kogan, who wants a piece of the local action, and Treasury agent Barrett, who wants to destroy the moonshine business, Luke fights for his fast-fading way of life.

Director

Arthur Ripley

Top Billed Cast

Robert Mitchum

Robert Mitchum

Lucas Doolin

Gene Barry

Gene Barry

Troy Barrett

Trevor Bardette

Trevor Bardette

Vernon Doolin

Jacques Aubuchon

Jacques Aubuchon

Carl Kogan

Sandra Knight

Sandra Knight

Roxanna Ledbetter

Keely Smith

Keely Smith

Francie Wymore

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

5/25/2023

6/10

"Doolin" (Robert Mitchum) returns from war to find a city hoodlum "Kogan" (Jacques Aubuchon) trying to muscle in on their family moonshine business. His return also doesn't go unnoticed by the local police (Gene Barry) and so he hasn't his problems to seek. Though the story here isn't really up to much, the film has a distinctly stylish look to it. Mitchum looks at ease with the part - and it's strange the scenes he shares with real-life son "James" (playing his younger brother "Rob" here) as the youngster determines he wants to help his hard-nosed sibling out. Loads of driving means loads of cars, dark country roads and moody photography as the ninety minutes progresses along fairly predicable lines to quite a fitting conclusion. Both Mitchum's here exude a coolness that adds spice to this and though it's still not a film you will remember for the plot, it's one you might recall for considering just how we all might have felt when young and hormonal with a denim jacket and a cigarette.

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