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Just what I expected

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Some people don't like "Rolling Thunder" very much, and while I can sort of see their viewpoint with some aspects of the movie, at the same time I can see some really good things. The movie is indeed very dark and downbeat, and there aren't any characters that we can totally sympathize with; even the main character played by William Devane has a few unlikable aspects. The pacing will also be a turnoff for some viewers. While I was never bored by the movie, I could see why some viewers will be wondering why the central character doesn't get down to business a lot quicker. And there is the fact that all the Vietnam vet characters in the movie are portrayed to be big losers and with diseased minds, a stereotype I am quite tired of seeing.But despite the movie not being perfect, there is enough good stuff here to make it worth a look. The acting (particularly Devane and Tommy Lee Jones) is very good, the action and violence still pack a pretty good punch more than three decades later, and Devane's character has some quirks that make his character interesting to study. While I wouldn't call this movie a classic, I do think it has enough to offer viewers who are up for a movie that doesn't have a slam-bang pace and is not wall to wall action.

After seven years of being tortured in a Vietnamese POW camp, Major Charles Rane (William Devane) returns home a war hero, the admiring folk of his hometown showering him with gifts and money (a brand new red Cadillac and a shiny dollar for every day he was locked up). His wife isn't so happy to see him though: while he's been suffering in prison, she has been getting it on with local sheriff Cliff (Lawrason Driscoll), who has also been playing surrogate father to Rane's son.War-weary, Rane seems resigned to the fact that life has changed, and realises that to respond with anger at his situation is futile, but when a ruthless gang break into his home looking for the money, reduce his hand to bloody pulp in the waste disposal, and shoot his wife and kid dead, peace is no longer an option: as soon as he is discharged from hospital, Rane sharpens up his new hook, grabs his shotgun, and goes looking for revenge, with a little help from local 'groupie' Linda Forchet (Linda Haynes) and old army pal Johnny Vohden (Tommy Lee Jones).Rolling Thunder gets a lot of love from the cult-movie crowd, and has unsurprisingly been heartily endorsed by Quentin Tarantino, but for me it didn't quite hit the spot, with a little too much of the film devoted to the emotional drama of the story and not nearly enough in the way of brutal revenge. Paul Schrader's sharp script and solid performances from the excellent cast keep the viewer on board, but the revenge comes way too late in the day (in the form of a bloody Peckinpah style shootout) and is over all too quickly to be a wholly satisfying experience.

When I saw Paul Schrader credited for the original story, but not the final screenplay, I became as much enthusiastic as I grew suspicious. But I didn't get that right, because he díd co-write the screenplay... Reading his criticism (Imdb trivia) puts me in the right again, since the studio changed a lot of his original ideas; his script was simply reworked without his consent.I must say I liked this film anyway, but I am still hoping to find the book some time. The character Rane is not a racist as he would have been according to Schrader, but in this version he is still fascinating; quiet, letting things happen, but still one can sense there is a lot going on with him. I'm glad William Devane got the role instead of Kris Kristofferson, because he adds sympathy to the character and I'm not sure how well this would have worked with Kristofferson.The story is another matter. As said before, the criticism on the Vietnam War and the racist character that Rane was intended to be, are nowhere to be found. Rane is a hero, but 'dead' as he states himself and it is really hard to get a grip on him, ór the story. In the end, the only thing he wants is revenge for his murdered son, and there is still the camaraderie between him and his army buddy Vohden. In between, Rane hooks up with blonde bombshell Linda, who tries to get through to him. But between his broken family life - which is ultimately taken away from him by a merciless gang - and his new status a hero who is totally out of place, there is nothing left...A violent, nihilistic finale ensues, and I can only try to imagine what Schrader's intentions and input could have done better for this strange, but certainly not bad result.7 out of 10.

Rolling Thunder isn't better known because it needs to be sought after. It's a very powerful film. One of the best role of Tommy Lee Jones & one of the very best revenge pictures ever conceived.Devane's character is pure testosterone.What it is: A Definite must see for any fan of 70's sinema,"GRINDHOUSE/ /Drive-INN/,road-movies/, Strange 70's dramas/, or any A film for fan of seriously intrepid film making! Or anyone looking for an uncompromising vision in all it's ugly glory, & honest story telling.I'm truly amazed at the cinephiles who love 70's style insane character dramas,revenge,horror,gore,etc."grindhouse-a word thrown around a bit too much of late.) I don't exactly categorize this film as "grindhouse". Though no doubt I'm sure it had it's run. But these films i always imagine to relate more in style to the "southern" drive-Inn style of action pictures.-(Dirty Mary,Crazy Larry, Gaitor Bait & tons more.) This film has little relation to Gaitor Bait, other than violence & bright southern scenery in parts,does have a great: " Dirty Mary, crazy Larry" feel towards the end.Rolling Thunder isn't better known because it needs to be sought after. It's a very powerful film. One of the best role of Tommy Lee Jones & one of the very best revenge pictures ever conceived.Devane's character is pure testosterone.I was around ten when my father 1st showed me the film,& I remember being somewhat confused/uncomfortable as to why the hero was trying to get his "friend" to hurt him. My father then explained: "Devane" has had no real contact, in war people tend to seal up & they become machines or they brake apart. -*(My father fought in the Korean war.I only mention his part because I thinks it's a very brave choice to leave the scene in, where i can see a studio/producer wanting the scene out due to the fact it shows a damaged part of the psyche of our hero/anti-hero-Brando-personified & then mixed up again.*(Elements of "The Wild One" of course are present even if only subconsciously).I feel as if parts of this film, can only be truly understood by those who've seen the true horror of war. These scenes have that very dual nature Very brave & honest characterization scenes.Building like a roller-coaster, the film opens with our hero returning from a war, more scarred than only a veteran could understand. Met with praise for slaughter & mental anguish. The only thing he knows is war. Not love for his wife as she seems to have forgotten any hope. a mere stranger to his son.His eyes are cold, Devane really pulled the darkness from his soul for this role & you will feel it! It's heartbreaking to watch the silent dynamic unfold between a lost little boy & his yearning father whose not even a memory to his son. The boy shyly wants to know his father & The couple decides to divorce, he keeps getting social praise as the things that matter slip away all, but the love for his son. He's then rewarded, as gangster types get involved-not to give too much away, but he ultimately loses his son & his hand & wife in a horrific, scenes that have to be seen.The game is on!Cherry Red Cadillac,Reflective Sun-glasses & the open road, not to mention enough hate inside & artillery to take down the terminator.The soldier takes over & it's a road movie to hell at all costs. With nothing to lose he heads towards Mexico where he mets a beautiful woman who gets involved & it becomes just a man hunting down his own demons, in the flesh & the ones in his soul. Few movies really compare with the dynamic portrayed by the characters, in most revenge movies before & definitely after. (not that they were bad, just they didn't take the time to really suck you in get to know just how dark the character is. But this is where Devane shines. Righting wrongs that can never be healed. just like the scars of war.