Rolling Thunder (1977)

[Trevor]

Burgo mentioned this some time ago and I had never seen it, despite hearing about the hand-in-garbage-compactor scene when I was ten   and the MGM channel screened it last night, so I was able to see it for the first time.

Verdict: part bad, part good so I slotted it in here. 

I found that its' fearsome reputation was largely undeserved (as violent as the film is) and that there were very few good things about the film, other than the opening theme and William Devane's explosive performance. The shoot out in the whorehouse was great (Prostitute: "Hey, gringo, look around, you might find your sister!"   ) and I have a thing for revenge films, so it was worth the wait at least.  

[fulci420]

Saw this one a few months ago and thought it was pretty impressive but its reputation is greatly helped by his unavailability on dvd. I would love to see a nice blu ray of this one. In my opinion its one of the finest 70s revenge films but still not quite up to the level of say the first death wish film. As someone whose exposure to William Devane was limited to his role on the tv show 24 it was nice to see him as a younger man getting his revenge. Far from a bad movie in my opinion.

[claws]

Pray that Quentin Tarantino won't read this thread 

Saw this for the first time a few weeks ago and loved it. I have the upcoming German Blu-ray on pre-order. Can't hardly wait for that revisit in HD!

[Venomx73]

Did it have anything to do with the Nintendo game?

[The Burgomaster]

I saw this at the drive-in on a double feature with MAD MAX.  One of my favorite drive-in action flicks.  I bought a very nice, widescreen copy on DVD-R awhile ago. 

[Mr_Vindictive]

This one I've always heard of but have not gotten around to viewing. I'm going to see about obtaining a copy soon!

[Archivist]

This was one of the many R-rated movies that lined the action section of the local video rental store in the 80's.  The cover was of the character putting bullets in his revolver with the prosthetic hand.  Because it was R-rated I never saw it back then, and it, as well as movies like The Glove with John Saxon, remain on my 'watch some day' list.

If it's good and worth watching, I'll see if I can find it.  Not that I'm a big fan of the 70's revenge movies apart from the Death Wish series.  Sounds kind of gruesome, though!

[Trevor]

Pray that Quentin Tarantino won't read this thread 

Saw this for the first time a few weeks ago and loved it. I have the upcoming German Blu-ray on pre-order. Can't hardly wait for that revisit in HD!

The copy I saw on Monday night looked great: a few scratches here and there but nothing major.

[Trevor]

I bought a very nice, widescreen copy on DVD-R awhile ago. 

That's where I read about it: not a bad film ~ the only thing that grated on me was Linda Haynes' "performance" and the one thing that made me go  was the pleasure that the vets seem to take in killing, even though what they are doing is justified IMO.

[Trevor]

Sounds kind of gruesome, though!

It is, especially the whorehouse shoot out at the end and Mr Devane losing his hand. 

[Trevor]

Far from a bad movie in my opinion.

I agree there ~ I just felt that it didn't live up to its' reputation and the reaction of the critics when it was first released. I also waited thirty years to see it but yes, it is far from being a bad movie.

The theme tune is nice too, as is Jordan Croneweth's cinematography. 

Could someone perhaps move this thread to 'Good Movies'? Thanks.

[Venomx73]

Did it have anything to do with the Nintendo game?

Shhh. Maybe if we just ignore, he'll go away...

Whatever.

[zombie no.one]

never heard of that Nintendo game - first thing I thought was has it got anything to do with the novel 'Rolling Thunder Hear My Cry' which we had to read at school

[Trevor]

Did it have anything to do with the Nintendo game?

Shhh. Maybe if we just ignore, he'll go away...

Whatever.

Sorry ~ I'd never heard of that game until you mentioned it.