American revenge crime thriller “Rolling Thunder” (1977) directed by John Flynn and starring William Devane, Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Haynes, Lawrason Driscoll among others.
Major Charles Rane (William Devane) is a Vietnam returnee and a prisoner of war having been tortured in the camp. He returns home to a hero’s welcome along with Johnny Vohden (Tommy Lee Jones). He meets his kiddo for the first time in 7 years and wife too, but he is too withdrawn to be able to enjoy family life.
His wife reveals that he is seeing Cliff (Lawrason Driscoll) since she was not sure of his returning or whereabouts. He is presented with silver coins by the county and is slowly returning to normal life when he is attacked by four people who want that silver booty.
He is tortured again and loses his left arm and the killers decamp with the silver and also shoot dead his wife and kid. He takes his time to revenge and in the meanwhile he ingratiates himself to Linda Forchet (Linda Haynes) a waitress in a bar.
He sets about his revenge drama by taking his pal Johnny Vohden into confidence and together they go about finishing that dirty business. Lots of bodies go down in that fight and both Charles and Johnny also get injured. Its a straight linear story with a not so violent climax compared to today’s movies.
There’s not so much to go by acting, but the direction is neat, a youngish looking Tommy Lee Jones revels in his role. Others are passable. IMDB 4/10
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