Amazon.com essential video: The preeminent moonshine movie, the 1958 Thunder Road stars Robert Mitchum as a backwoods bootlegger in Tennessee, getting squeezed by both the federal government and organized crime. Mitchum had a big hand in creating this cult favorite (which reportedly played in drive-ins around America for years), writing the script, producing the movie, and even composing and singing the movie's theme song, which became a radio hit. Directed by longtime cinematographer Arthur Ripley, the film is strong on characters and action, the latter fulfilled by a memorable chase scene at the end. Mitchum was at an artistic peak at this point in his career, and this is really an indispensable movie for his fans. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - The Whiskey Wars
The video begins with a preview of highlights from this action film. Every year millions of dollars are lost from untaxed whiskey. The Treasury Dept. prosecutes those who are caught transporting "moonshine". ... Read More
Rating: - Mitchum At His Coolest
The archetypal moonshine flick, "Thunder Road" (1958) remains a cult classic among Robert Mitchum fans. There's enough revved-up action and Mitchum cool to glide past the limited budget and a few amateurish performances. ... Read More
Rating: - Thunder Road
I have been looking for this movie for quite a while. I think it is one of the best Robert Mitchum movies. Mitchum is Lucas Doolin, a man who comes from a long line of whisky makers, located somewhere in the southeastern ... Read More
Rating: - classic american film
Thunder Road benefits from a strong story, and an honest appreciation of the redneck code of honor that allows a democratic vote on how the community will break the law and defy outside criminal elements no matter what the ... Read More
Rating: - Every second is fully-charged.
This movie is as close to perfect as I've ever seen. Action! Drama! Suspense! And the coolest-cat protagonist ever. Oh, some of Mitchum's moves are so timeless and glorious-- it's the Sistine Chapel of bootlegger movies.
- The Whiskey Wars
- Thunder Road