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Thunder Road (1958)

6.1 | May 10, 1958 (US) | Crime, Action, Thriller | 01:32

More Savage Than The Tommy-Gun Massacre of the Roaring Twenties...TODAY'S BILLION-DOLLAR WHISKEY WAR!

Unrepentant Tennessee moonshine runner Luke Doolin (Robert Mitchum) makes dangerous high-speed deliveries for his liquor-producing father, Vernon (Trevor Bardette), but won't let his younger brother Robin (James Mitchum) join the family business. Under pressure from both out-of-town gangster Kogan (Jacques Aubuchon), who wants a piece of the local action, and Treasury agent Barrett (Gene Barry), who wants to destroy the moonshine business, Luke fights for his fast-fading way of life.

Featured Crew

Director, Producer
Editor
Story, Producer
Wardrobe Supervisor
Makeup Artist
Original Music Composer
Screenplay
Director of Photography
Director of Photography

Cast

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Robert Mitchum
Lucas Doolin
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Gene Barry
Roy Barrett, Treasury Agent
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Jacques Aubuchon
Carl Kogan
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Keely Smith
Francie Wymore
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Trevor Bardette
Vernon Doolin
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Sandra Knight
Roxanna Ledbetter
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James Mitchum
Robin Doolin
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Betsy Holt
Mary Barrett
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Francis Koon
Sarah Doolin
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Randy Sparks
Guitarist

Reviews

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CinemaSerf
6 | May 25, 2023
"Doolin" (Robert Mitchum) returns from war to find a city hoodlum "Kogan" (Jacques Aubuchon) trying to muscle in on their family moonshine business. His return also doesn't go unnoticed by the local police (Gene Barry) and so he hasn't his problems to seek. Though the story here isn't really up to much, the film has a distinctly stylish look to it. Mitchum looks at ease with the part - and it's strange the scenes he shares with real-life son "James" (playing his younger brother "Rob" here) as the youngster determines he wants to help his hard-nosed sibling out. Loads of driving means loads of cars, dark country roads and moody photography as the ninety minutes progresses along fairly predicable lines to quite a fitting conclusion. Both Mitchum's here exude a coolness that adds spice to this and though it's still not a film you will remember for the plot, it's one you might recall for considering just how we all might have felt when young and hormonal with a denim jacket and a cigarette.