Rating: 
Summary: An Ignored Classic
Review: "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" is an action film, and a minor masterpiece. The plot is intelligent, full of twists and excitement. The acting is without exception of a super high calibre and the direction, photography and editing are all very well above average. A truly brilliant film worth watching again and again. For an action film "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" stands out for one other reason. This film is easily one of the Gayest major motion pictures ever made. The relationship between Jeff Bridges and Clint Eastwood can easily be seen as a romance to the extent where Jeff Bridges part could have been played by a female with practically no changes. The relationship between the other two members of the gang can only be seen as that of an old and fractious married couple. Once the film is seen in this light it becomes even better and funnier since it provides a far greater deopths to what are already particularly well written roles being very well acted. This is a very good film indeed. But **be warned** it was originally filmed in 2.35 : 1 widescreen and any "pan and scan" version is not worth buying since you see a butchered version of Frank Stanley's brilliant cinematography. This film should definitely be released on DVD and soon.
Rating:
Summary: An Ignored Classic
Review: "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" is an action film, and a minor masterpiece. The plot is intelligent, full of twists and excitement. The acting is without exception of a super high calibre and the direction, photography and editing are all very well above average. A truly brilliant film worth watching again and again. For an action film "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" stands out for one other reason. This film is easily one of the Gayest major motion pictures ever made. The relationship between Jeff Bridges and Clint Eastwood can easily be seen as a romance to the extent where Jeff Bridges part could have been played by a female with practically no changes. The relationship between the other two members of the gang can only be seen as that of an old and fractious married couple. Once the film is seen in this light it becomes even better and funnier since it provides a far greater deopths to what are already particularly well written roles being very well acted. This is a very good film indeed. But **be warned** it was originally filmed in 2.35 : 1 widescreen and any "pan and scan" version is not worth buying since you see a butchered version of Frank Stanley's brilliant cinematography. This film should definitely be released on DVD and soon.
Rating:
Summary: DVD reivew
Review: A beautiful transfer with sharp detail and great color. Film is an overlooked 70's classic and it is good to see it get the transfer it deserved. Kelly's Heroes got a equally great transfer too. Widescreen, baby!
Rating: 
Summary: The best caper - comedy ever.
Review: An inspired story of two men, who with the help of two misfits try to pull off a spectacular caper. The rabbit-shotgun-blasting by a deranged lunatic affixiated by carbon monoxide is classic.
Rating:
Summary: A rousing action film that is also supremely funny
Review: Before he destroyed his career with the excess of Heaven's Gate, Michael Cimino, the screenwriter of Eastwood's second Dirty Hary flick Magunum Force, created this wonderful caper flick, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, under the discipline of producer and star Clint Eastwood. The cast is excellent, with Jeff Bridges first rate in his Oscar nominated role as Lightfoot, and Oscar winner George Kennedy and Eastwood regular Geoffrey Lewis (father of Juliette) both very memorable as Red and Goody.The scene of Red and Goodie in the ice cream cart confronted with an obnoxious lad is a classic in cinema. The climax of this film is superb. A definite MUST SEE for all Eastwood fans!
Rating:
Summary: Auspicious debut for Cimino...
Review: Buddy films are always fun, and this is no different. The exotic American locales of Idaho are every bit as unique as the Bolivian settings in "Butch Cassidy". As in "Butch Cassidy", the script (by Cimino) is character-driven, and you'll find yourself cheering on the bad guys. Jeff Bridges Oscar nomination (Supporting) surprised a lot of people, but it was most deserved. His role was really equal to Eastwood as far as importance (and screen time). Eastwood was, well, Eastwood. That's not a bad thing. I always thought he was underrated. The DVD transfer is excellent, with a wide 2.35:1 letterbox that shows off some of our country's best scenery. There's action, humor and great chemistry between our buddy-heroes. George Kennedy is about as nasty as they come, though he somewhat copied his nasty performance in "Charade" (10 years earlier). The most interesting thing about this film is that it is the debut of "wunderkind" Cimino. The strength of his work on this film allowed him to create his masterpiece, "The Deer Hunter". No doubt the man has vision and talent. Too bad he over-indulged himself in the dismal "Heaven's Gate" and ruined a studio with his excesses. ("Heaven's Gate" really wasn't that bad, except for the first hour). I think of "Thunderbolt & Lightfoot" as an up-dated version of "Butch Cassidy". Though the music wasn't as frivolous and the script not as taut, there are definite comparisons. Not bad. Check it out.
Rating:
Summary: CLINT Does it Again!
Review: Clint Eastwood portrays a robber ( John Thunderbolt Doherty ) who takes on a side-kick played by Jeff Bridges (Lightfoot ). There is money to be found in an old church. Trouble is, the church has been moved. Also: Geoffrey Lewis ( Goody ) and Gary Busey (Curly) and Catherine Bach (Melody). There is action in this film. But, I wouldn't consider it an action film. It is more of road chase with subtle dramatic elements. Great film. ***Note, we had no problems playing this DVD on our JVC DVD player.
Rating:
Summary: Redheaded women are bad luck...
Review: Greed, camaraderie, and friendship are at the core of Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, a bittersweet tale of crime. Well worth watching, this drama set in Montana, evokes a sunshiny, open air 70's vibe that seems far removed from today's modern world. Years previously, a group of men successfully robbed Montana Armored, escaping with half a million in cash, which was then hidden for safekeeping. After their leader unexpectedly dies, the group gets restless. Red (George Kennedy) and Cookie (Geoffrey Lewis) head out to find John Doherty, a member of the gang whom they believe has the loot. Fleeing from the homicidal intentions of his ex-partners, Doherty escapes with the help of a young drifter and car thief, named Lightfoot (Jeff Bridges). A fast friendship develops between the kid and the older man, as they adventure across the countryside, still pursued by Doherty's friends. Eventually they make their way to Warsaw, Montana, to the site of an old one-room school building, where Doherty had hidden the money years before. But the old building is gone, replaced with by modern school campus. There they run into Red and Cookie again, and after a painful reunion, all come to accept the fact that the money has been lost. In an inspirational flash, the group decides to rob the same place, in the same way, this time with a new member. The last time, artillery was used to penetrate the vault, giving rise to Doherty's nickname, "Thunderbolt". Short on cash to secure the equipment they will need, the gang members take jobs, and slowly build up their bankroll. Put simply, the chemistry between Bridges, Eastwood, Kennedy, and Lewis just works. Bridges especially shines. The audience is easily drawn into the scheme as the group plots then executes their plan. When one small thing goes wrong, it leads to the collapse of the whole scheme. Red's anger, which had been continuously smoldering, explodes under pressure, with deadly concequences.
Out of the chaos of the ruined scheme, a ray of hope appears as Thunderbolt and Lightfoot stumble upon a one-room schoolhouse on the side of an open highway. The good times are short, and poignancy of the moment is captured perfectly by the breaking of a cigar. The final scene of a convertible driving over a hill to the sounds of Paul Williams' "Where Do We Go Now" is a touching ending to Michael Cimino's directorial debut. The roles Clint Eastwood chose in the 70's were diverse, and tested the limits of his physical and acting abilities. This film is a good example from that period, full of odd quirky characters and romantic in a masculine way. Sometimes dreams do come true, but they may not last long.
Rating:
Summary: Sets the standard for buddie and road movies
Review: I have to say, along with Midnight Cowboy, this is one of the great Movies of recent times. There is no need for superflous fx, or stupendous budgets, not when you have chemistry, script, and cinematography like this. Lightfoot is a hero of mine. I always aspired to be this freewheelin, take every day as it comes kinda guy. But somewhere along the line... I grew up. Damn!
Anyway, the story. I wont ruin it by explaining anything! Just get the damn thing and remember when the American dream really wasnt that far outta reach. And look out for lightfoot's laugh!
Rating:
Summary: Careful of the DVD
Review: I love this movie, so be cautious with this review. My problem with this particular disc is that I have bought it twice, and cannot get it to run on my DVD player. I have an older model player, a pioneer dual DVD/LD player. I have gotten two copies (the first was returned) and neither copy has worked in my player. The disc works in other players, as I have tested, but it might not work in others. If you have a chance to rent it first, please do. If you have an older model player, you might find that you have a brilliant film trapped in a non-functioning DVD. If you are lucky enough to have it work in your player, by all means, enjoy, for it is a wonderful film.
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