Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Michael Cimino

Writer:

Michael Cimino (written by)

Release Date:

2 September 1974 (Sweden)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Thunderbolt... the man with the reputation. Lightfoot... the kid who's about to make one!

Plot:

With the help of an irreverent young sidekick, a bank robber gets his old gang back together to organize a daring new heist.

Plot Keywords:

Heist | Nudity | Carjacking | Female Frontal Nudity | Hidden Money

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

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

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Spain:18 | South Korea:18 | New Zealand:R16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:X (original rating) | USA:R | West Germany:16 | UK:18 (video rating) (1986) | Netherlands:16

Filming Locations:

Fort Benton, Montana, USA

Company:

Malpaso Company, The

Trivia:

Average Shot Length (ASL) = 7 seconds

Goofs:

Continuity: When Gloria is getting dressed after having sex with Thunderbolt, her bra disappears completely when she puts her dress on.

Quotes:

[a woman runs out of a motel falsely crying rape]
Woman in car: You really want to stay here?
Husband: [smiling] Why not?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Big Lebowski (1998)

Soundtrack:

Where Do I Go from Here

Beyond buddies.

I think this movie gets lost in all the commercial Clint Eastwood vehicles,it far surpasses most of his 70's attempts. This is mostly due to Cimino's script and Bridges acting and honest words.This is far more than a buddy picture,rather one of the greatest love stories on film(all homosexual connotations aside),taking the male relationship in film to new levels because of the contrast of characters and there immediate like for one another.Skipped is most of the bickering used in lessor buddy flicks instead great interaction between the two and Clint still gets to shine as one of the coolest tough guys of the 70's.Great cinematography coupled with beautiful backdrops and a fine supporting cast make this a must see.