1958
PG
United Artists
1 h 32 m

1958
PG
United Artists
1 h 32 m

Summary A veteran comes home from the Korean War to the mountains and takes over the family moonshining business. He has to battle big-city gangsters who are trying to take over the business and the police who are trying to put him in prison.

Directed By: Arthur Ripley

Written By: James Atlee Phillips, Walter Wise, Robert Mitchum

1958
PG
United Artists
1 h 32 m

1958
PG
United Artists
1 h 32 m

Thunder Road

Name: Thunder Road
Genre: Crime, Drama, Film-Noir, Thriller
Released: 1958-05-10
Duration: 1 min 32 s
Rating: 73
Cast: Robert Mitchum, Gene Barry, Jacques Aubuchon, Keely Smith, Trevor Bardette

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews

User Score Available after 4 ratings

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Where to Watch

Directed By: Arthur Ripley

Written By: James Atlee Phillips, Walter Wise, Robert Mitchum

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews

100% Positive
7 Reviews

0% Mixed
0 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 7 Critic Reviews

100% Positive
7 Reviews

0% Mixed
0 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Portland Oregonian

If there is a drive-in classic, this is it. [04 Jun 1999]

By Ted Mahar FULL REVIEW

Time Out

Cheaply made, disreputable, and blatantly anti-authority, it's a winner all the way, what with a stunningly laconic performance from Mitchum, white-hot night-time road scenes, and an affectionate but unsentimental vision of backwoods America rarely seen in cinema to this day.

By Geoff Andrew FULL REVIEW

Austin Chronicle

This film no doubt planted the seeds for more good ol' boy action pics (White Lightning, Smokey and the Bandit), but while many of those vehicles relied solely on high-speed hijinks, Mitchum's story and charismatic screen presence make Thunder Road a ride to remember.

FULL REVIEW

Chicago Reader

The definitive road movie (1958), the well from which all the genre’s subsequent blessings flow.

By Dave Kehr FULL REVIEW

TV Guide Magazine

This has become a minor cult classic and is one of Mitchum's more interesting (and bizzare) efforts.

FULL REVIEW

Los Angeles Times

Long considered one of the ultimate drive-in movies, the granddaddy of both "The Last American Hero" and "Smokey and the Bandit," this black-and-white drama is still entertaining if you take it in the raffish, off-slant, what-the-hell spirit with which star-producer Robert Mitchum obviously intended it. [09 Dec 1988, p.24]

By Michael Wilmington FULL REVIEW

Slant Magazine

The ubiquitously involved star’s charisma can’t completely overshadow a sluggish plot... Nonetheless, its hard-charging chase sequences make it a vintage Dukes of Hazzard-flavored noir.

By Nick Schager FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company D.R.M. Productions

Release Date May 10, 1958

Duration 1 h 32 m

Rating PG

Genres

Tagline YOU'LL NEED SHOCK ABSORBERS! (original ad - all caps)

Thunder Road

Where to Watch

Where to Watch

Top Cast

Robert Mitchum

Lucas Doolin

Gene Barry

Troy Barrett

Jacques Aubuchon

Carl Kogan

Keely Smith

Francie Wymore

Trevor Bardette

Vernon Doolin

Sandra Knight

Roxanna Ledbetter

James Mitchum

Robin Doolin

Peter Breck

Stacey Gouge

Charles Elledge

Jimmy

Jerry Hardin

Niles Penland

Charles Hendrix

Townsman

Betsy Holt

Mary Barrett

Peter Hornsby

Lucky - Kogan's Henchman

Francis Koon

Sarah Doolin

Christopher Mitchum

Washboard Player

Russell Offhaus

Noisy Customer

Jack Perry

Kogan Henchman Killed in Car Crash

Robert Porterfield

Preacher

Mitchell Ryan

Jed Moultrie

Randy Sparks

Guitarist

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

Details

Details

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