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Distant Thunder (1988)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
11 November 1988 (USA) moreTagline:
A hero of war. A casualty of peace, With only one hope for survival...his son. morePlot:
A troubled Vietnam war vet deserts his wife and child shortly after he returns from the war. He returns after 10 years... more | add synopsisUser Comments:
Distant interest in a thinking man's Rambo moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Ralph Macchio | ... | Jack Lambert |
 | John Lithgow | ... | Mark Lambert |
 | Kerrie Keane | ... | Char |
 | Reb Brown | ... | Harvey Nitz |
 | Janet Margolin | ... | Barbara Lambert |
 | Denis Arndt | ... | Larry |
 | Jamey Sheridan | ... | Moss |
 | Tom Bower | ... | Louis |
| John Kelly | ... | Andy |
| Michael Currie | ... | Coach Swabey |
| Hilary Strang | ... | Jane |
| Robyn Stevan | ... | Holly |
 | David Longworth | ... | Sheriff |
 | Gordon Currie | ... | Billy Watson |
| Walter Marsh | ... | Principal |
Additional Details
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Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
114 minLanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Sound Mix:
DolbyFilming Locations:
Shannon Falls, British Columbia, CanadaFun Stuff
Quotes:
Jack Lambert: I'm not going to waste all of your time so I'm just going a few words. Like all of you, I would like to move on in life. Thank you. moreSoundtrack:
CHEAP BLACK & WHITE moreFAQ
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It was the 1980s and America (and countries like Australia who sent troops to Vietnam) were obsessed with the lives of Vietnam Veterans.
John Lithgow plays Jack, a vet who eeks out an existence in a bush camp. When his friend decides to kiss a train he thinks it is time for him to try life in the real world again.
Char yes is a lovely woman who helps him and encourages him to get in contact with his lost son, but unfortunately her boyfriend does like Jack and he heads back into the bush.
I don't really blame him when his son turns out to be Ralph Macchio (of Karate Kid fame). Still this movie has a heart, but the characters lack depth, which is not made up for by cheesy dialog.
I watched this movie because I read good reviews about it in this website.
I would say watch this with hamburger hill to get a good, but superficial look at the lives of Vietnam Vets, both in country and back home (also some of the language and phrases used in Distant thunder, such as "it don't mean nothing" make more sense after seeing Hamburger Hill).
But please don't expect too much of a humble little drama like this and you will enjoy it.