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Thunder Road

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6.2/10 • 50

1958-05-101h 32m

CrimeActionThriller

More Savage Than The Tommy-Gun Massacre of the Roaring Twenties...TODAY'S BILLION-DOLLAR WHISKEY WAR!

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

Directors
Arthur Ripley
Editors
Harry Marker

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Robert Mitchum

    Robert Mitchum

    Lucas Doolin

  2. Gene Barry

    Gene Barry

    Roy Barrett, Treasury Agent

  3. Jacques Aubuchon

    Jacques Aubuchon

    Carl Kogan

  4. Keely Smith

    Keely Smith

    Francie Wymore

  5. Trevor Bardette

    Trevor Bardette

    Vernon Doolin

  6. Sandra Knight

    Sandra Knight

    Roxanna Ledbetter

  7. James Mitchum

    James Mitchum

    Robin Doolin

  8. Betsy Holt

    Betsy Holt

    Mary Barrett

  9. Francis Koon

    Francis Koon

    Sarah Doolin

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

May 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.

Media

  • Thunder Road backdrop
  • Thunder Road backdrop

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
bootleggerwar veterancar mechanichot rodmoonshinenightclub singer