Rolling Thunder

1977 · United States · 95 min

Director: John Flynn
Screenplay: Paul Schrader, Heywood Gould
Producer: Lawrence Gordon
Music: Barry De Vorzon
Cinematography: Jordan Cronenweth
Editing: Frank P. Keller
Production company: American International Pictures

What the critics say

86 % Rotten Tomatoes positive reviews

Cast

Linda Haynes

What it is about

After seven years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, Air Force Major Charles Rane returns to San Antonio, Texas, to a home he barely recognizes. His son no longer remembers him, and his wife has become engaged to a local policeman. Rane tries to rebuild his life with restraint, but one night a group of outlaws breaks into his house, drawn by the silver dollars he was given at a homecoming ceremony. It is a psychological thriller with a neo-noir tone, focused on the veteran's trauma more than on pure action.

How it was made

The script was written in 1973 for American International Pictures, where Lawrence Gordon was head of production. Paul Schrader conceived it as a companion piece to Taxi Driver, and in the original draft the protagonist was a racist Texan who had become a war hero without firing a gun. Heywood Gould later rewrote it. George A. Romero and Schrader himself were briefly attached to direct, and the project moved to 20th Century Fox, which dropped it over concerns about its violence. The film was shot in 31 days in San Antonio, Pearsall and Del Rio, Texas, with Jordan Cronenweth as cinematographer and William Devane in the lead.

Reception and legacy

Rolling Thunder opened in the United States on October 7, 1977, and also premiered in seven other countries. American International Pictures distributed it after Fox's withdrawal. Critics gave it generally positive reviews, and over time it has built a cult following. Tommy Lee Jones, in one of his early prominent roles, shares the screen with Devane, and the film is remembered as an early example of urban revenge cinema from the late 1970s.

Stills

Trailer

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Trivia

A project tied to Taxi Driver

Schrader's script was conceived as a companion piece to Taxi Driver and referenced Operation Rolling Thunder, which appears in that film. It even included a brief cameo by Travis Bickle.

Fox walks away over violence

20th Century Fox was set to distribute the film but dropped it over concerns about its violence. It was instead distributed by American International Pictures.

More films by John Flynn

Original Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.