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Paul Schrader has cooked up another treat for us in this low profile film, that deserves much more attention, believe you me. Devane, a vet, returns after spending 8 years in a POW camp, which a couple of scenes in black and white flashback of him being tortured, are truly and memorably powerful. Everything back home has become a bummer for him. His wife is looking to re marry a town cop, and take his son. He can't sleep, and of course he's having bad dreams, but hell is about to come raining down on him very quick. His wife and son are shot, and he's deprived of one of his arms, when these thugs invade his home, on account of all these silver dollars he's been awarded, a dollar per day he spent, rotting in that stinking camp, and when they ask ever so nicely to the locale of the coins, he stubbornly and silently resists. I couldn't believe, after seeing it a couple of times, that surging killer hot water, could melt the arm and take it off. He survives, where for revenge fans, this becomes golden to the grand and explosive shootout end. Tagging along with much younger groupie (Haynes) he heads to Mexico to wreak a bloody revenge on that murderous party, who actually have the balls to think, his ruin will just blow over. Devane, has a new advantage, his prosthetic new hand. One scene has his claw hand grabbing Askew's nuts, where you too really feel it. The casting is great and interesting, especially regarding the baddies, James 'Dukes Of Hazzard' Best, and Luke Askew, who really brings some nastily polished au natural characters to the screen. They are so good, particularly Best, I couldn't believe it, Askew, an ugly version of Peter Fonda. They are just two, among many other solid and great performances. Every actor delivers RT is very violent too, where if you like a good quality revenge flick, with heavy doses of violence, you will love this, although it moves at an unhurried pace, but this movie will rope you in, and when revenge time comes, you'll be howling with cheer. Great title song, (the first couple of images of film you won't forget) where there's a lot of a country feel to this probably almost forgotten flick, you should put on your definitely must see list. Devane is the man too, not overacting at all, it's beautiful. This is his movie, and if a Devane fan, this is the one to see him. The man to man talk with the new hubby in the shed, earlier in the flick, will raise some small giggles, but also some edginess. Tommy Lee Jones looks very young too, as Devane's nervous vet mate, (the range of scarred emotions he brings, was amazing). Here's a guy who has truly been effected by the war. He assists him in that hotel showdown in the finale, which is one great part of this flick among others. Love it.
Film Watchin Fool
Why You Might Like It: This is a pretty solid revenge movie that really gets you pulling for William Devane as Major Charles Rane. Not only is he a decorated POW that just returned from the Vietnam war, but he also has a score to settle with those who murdered his family. Devane does a nice job in the lead role and the supporting cast is pretty good as well with the likes of Tommy Lee Jones (although his role is limited). It is also an interesting look and character study of a POW after returning from Vietnam. There is plenty of action and drama to keep you interested.Why You Might Not Like It: There are definitely moments that drag a bit and this film isn't chalked full of over the top action. As mentioned, there is a lot of emphasis on the mind and demeanor of the lead character after returning from Vietnam as a POW. To me, the music seemed to be really off in spots and not very fitting for the movie at times. I will admit I felt a bit unfulfilled after watching the film and it seemed to end rather abruptly.Acting/Casting: 6.5* Directing/Cinematography/Technical: 5.5*Plot/Characters: 6* Entertainment Value: 6* Total - 6.5+5.5+6+6 = 24/4 = 6.0 - Worth a watch
namashi_1
Late Fillmaker John Flynn's 'Rolling Thunder' is a gruesome & slow-paced vendetta fare, that works primarily due to Flynn's Direction, that's so Well-Done.'Rolling Thunder' Synopsis: Major Charles Rane comes back from the war and is given a number of gifts from his hometown because he is a war hero. Some greedy thugs decide that they want to steal a number of silver dollars from him. In the process they also manage to kill his wife and son and destroy his hand. And Now, The Major wants revenge.'Rolling Thunder' is slow-paced & gruesome. The Action-Sequences are unforgiving & very effective, while the pacing is slow & moves lethargically. Paul Schrader & Heywood Gould's Screenplay could've been tighter, but works nonetheless. Flynn's Direction is the biggest merit here. He's done his job wonderfully, from start to end. Kudos Indeed!Performance-Wise: William Devane plays the protagonist well. The Ever-Fantastic Tommy Lee Jones, stands out, yet again. Linda Haynes is adequate. Others offer good support.On the whole, 'Rolling Thunder' isn't Spectacular, but Well-Directed nonetheless.
FlashCallahan
Major Charles Rane comes back from the war and is given a number of gifts from his hometown because he is a war hero.Some thugs decide that they want to steal a number of silver dollars from him.In the process they also manage to kill his wife and son and destroy his hand.The Major wants revenge so he enlists the help of his war buddy Johnny to meet the thugs in a final showdown....Even though its part of the narrative and the story, the lack of emotion from Devane and Jones can really drain the viewer at times, and makes the film a little slower than it should be.But it's still one hell of a movie about a man who is able to control his emotive tendencies until we see both of them let rip come the final stand off.Devane has never been better as the Major who left a part of his soul in a POW camp, coming home to find that even though he is a minor celebrity, his home life has been crushed. The film comes into it's own when we arrive in Mexico, and we meet a lot of nasty people, in fact so nasty, the film makes Mexico appear that every male who lives there is a rapist and a crook.It's been compared to Death With, and there are similarities with the revenge theme, but Rane and Kersey are so different, the revenge theme seems to be the only similarities.Rane knows what he is doing, he wants revenge his way, and plans it. Kersey gets lucky and kills random people who look like trouble.Jones is as good as ever, and as I have said, the final showdown is something that Peckinpah would be proud of.A good movie all in all, just very slow at times.
