IMDb > Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
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Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   5,988 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 19% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Michael Cimino (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Thunderbolt and Lightfoot on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
2 September 1974 (Sweden) more
Tagline:
Thunderbolt... the man with the reputation. Lightfoot... the kid who's about to make one! more
Plot:
With the help of an irreverent young sidekick, a bank robber gets his old gang back together to organize a daring new heist. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. more
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Warner Bros Will Make Clint Eastwood Fans' Day
 (From Cinematical. 30 November 2009, 6:48 AM, PST)

The Trailer for 'Crazy Heart' Starring Jeff Bridges
 (From CinemaSpy. 16 November 2009, 9:25 PM, PST)

User Comments:
A fascinating character-based comedy drama masquerading as a buddy action movie. more (66 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Clint Eastwood ... John "Thunderbolt" Doherty

Jeff Bridges ... Lightfoot

Geoffrey Lewis ... Eddie Goody

Catherine Bach ... Melody

Gary Busey ... Curly (as Garey Busey)
Jack Dodson ... Vault Manager, Montana Armor
Gene Elman ... Tourist at Schoolhouse
Burton Gilliam ... Welder
Roy Jenson ... Dunlop
Claudia Lennear ... Secretary
Bill McKinney ... Crazy Driver
Vic Tayback ... Mario Pinski, Contractor
Dub Taylor ... Station Attendant
Gregory Walcott ... Used Car Salesman
Erica Hagen ... Waitress
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
115 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Average Shot Length (ASL) = 7 seconds more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Gloria is getting dressed after having sex with Thunderbolt, her bra disappears completely when she puts her dress on. more
Quotes:
[a woman runs out of a motel falsely crying rape]
Woman in car: You really want to stay here?
Husband: [smiling] Why not?
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Big Lebowski (1998) more
Soundtrack:
Where Do I Go from Here more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
31 out of 41 people found the following comment useful.
A fascinating character-based comedy drama masquerading as a buddy action movie., 12 March 2003
Author: Infofreak from Perth, Australia

I found 'Thunderbolt And Lightfoot' in the "action" section of my local video store, and a quick glance at the cover and blurb might make you think you're in for a buddy action comedy, like Eddie Murphy et al made in the 1980s and Jackie Chan is making now. This is not entirely correct. While it is essentially a buddy movie and there is "action" in it, it is much more character-driven and episodic than most movies in the genre, and has more in common with forgotten 1970s gems like 'Scarecrow' or 'Fat City', than your typical Clint Eastwood fare from this period. Michael Cimino, who co-wrote the ecological SF sleeper 'Silent Running', and wrote the first (and best) movie in Eastwood's 'Dirty Harry' series, debuts impressively as director here. Eastwood himself is very good as enigmatic thief Thunderbolt, even better is Jeff Bridges who steals the movie as his young protege Lightfoot. Some people dislike this movie because it appears to meander along for no particular reason, but I really enjoyed the interaction between Eastwood and Bridges, who really seem to be having a ball working together. The plot eventually comes together with a robbery involving the two and character actors George Kennedy ('Cool Hand Luke' and Eastwood regular Geoffrey Lewis ('The Way Of The Gun'). I still really wouldn't call this a caper movie (ala 'Rififi', 'The Killing', 'The Anderson Tapes', etc,etc.), it's not as straightforward as that. The robbery plot is almost an excuse for a bunch of enjoyable scenes between the actors, who are all excellent and really play off each other in an entertaining way. Also keep an eye out for bit parts by Gary Busey ('Big Wednesday'), Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke!), Dub Taylor ('The Wild Bunch') and others, especially an unforgettable bit with the legendary Bill McKinney ('Deliverance'), one of the highlights of the movie. There's no way I'm going to argue that 'Thunderbolt And Lightfoot' is a forgotten classic, but it is a lot of fun to watch, it is unpredictable and interesting and features some fine performances, and that is a lot more than you can say for most subsequent Hollywood movies of this type. Recommended to 1970s buffs and anyone who enjoys Jeff Bridges.

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Why didn't Thunderbolt take Lightfoot to a hospital. Waltboak
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what do you get when.... Anscules
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How did they move the schoolhouse? daiichi
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