Thunder Road -1958

Director : Arthur Ripley

Writer : Walter Wise

Producer : Robert Mitchum

Rating : R

Running Time: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: action/drama

Cast : Robert Mitchum, Gene Barry, Jim Mitchum, Keely Smith

      Robert Mitchum plays Lucas Doolin, a ‘transporter’ who drives his specially equipped car (1957 Ford fairlane) from the still to the customer in the city, carrying booze made in the backwoods in large tanks. He’s a skilled transporter, and a respected community member whose reputation was enhanced by his wartime travels out of the local area, (korean war) He not only became worldly,  he also came back home, Carl Kogan (Jacques Aubuchon), a big city mobster, has decided to take over the area’s moonshine production, to reduce competition and increase his illicit profits. Lucas and most of his neighbours decide to reject Kogan’s offer, but this just makes the mobster try more violent means. 
Through all this, Lucas is cool and aloof. His only real passion is to make sure his little brother, Robin (played by Mitchum’s son, Jim), stays out of the business. He’s ready to abandon bootlegging, but only on his own terms. As tensions rise, Lucas plans one final run before calling it quits

There are plenty of nighttime car crashes and chases that provide virtually all of Thunder Road’s action. This movie was a personal project for Robert Mitchum he wrote the story, composed the theme song, produced, and stars in the film.

6/10 Stars