Rolling Thunder (1977)

Rolling Thunder (1977)

Directed by John Flynn

Written by Paul Schrader and Heywood Gould

I recently aquired a dusty old copy of Rolling Thunder on VHS (Vestron Video's uncut 99min. release) from ebay. This has become my favorite film over the last few months and seeing as it isn't on DVD or Blu-Ray in the states (a Region 2 DVD was released in Spain) I figured I'd like to tell people about it.

The basic plot is this: Major Charles Rane (William Devane) comes home to San Antonio after living in a POW camp for 7 years during the Vietnam war. He is seen as a local hero and awarded a brand new Cadillac and 2555 silver dollars on live television. His wife, however, is planning on divorcing him and marrying Cliff, a local police officer, and his son, Mark, barely remembers him at all.

He is angry yet resolved at his wife's request for divorce but doesn't want her to drive a wedge between him and his son.

Unfortunately a permanent wedge is put in place by good ol' fate soon enough when a gang of local thugs show up at his home demanding the 2555 silver dollars. They ask him where the money is but Charles keeps his mouth shut. They torture him for a bit but seeing as his life has just consisted of daily torture for 7 years he could give a flying Tejas shit what they do to him. They eventually put his right hand in the garbage disposal and grind it off but to no avail...he won't talk. His son and wife arrive home shortly and are thrown on the couch and asked where the money is. His son, not wanting anyone else to get hurt, shows them. The gang then murders his wife and son and shoots him in the stomach leaving everyone for dead.

The remainder of the film is an amazing roller coaster ride of violence, confusion and love under the strangest of circumstances as Charles exacts his revenge on each and every one of the gangsters. He has a plan and wants to follow it to the bitter end no matter what emotional or personal problems step in his way.

Something about using violence "for the right reasons" has always fascinated me. The idea that a seemingly normal person can go to war under the purpose or illusion that they are fighting for their country or loved ones and commit acts of murder is confusing and complex. All it takes usually for a normal person to turn into a murderer is the right circumstances. Most people would never kill another human, but if you were to say, have a close family member killed in front of you in cold blood what would you do? Would you go after the assailants to kill them? Most people I know have always said that they would, myself included. Completely normal folks willing to turn into monsters under certain conditions. Of course there are always those that have an easier time flipping the switch and some no trouble at all.

I don't know why exactly I'm so obsessed with this film. There's something so realistic about the entire thing. It doesn't have a bit of flashy bullshit to it. It's like a really great punk record, simple, to the point, powerful and filled with the pain and hate of a lousy modern (at the time) life. The dialog is written so well you almost don't even notice it. You just feel like you're hanging out with these folks for a while and then before you know it WOOPS! things get ugly, but too late, you're already wrapped up as hell in the story. You can certainly tell that this movie didn't have a big budget but it's made up for in amazing lighting, incredible acting (especially on the part of William Devane) and great writing. The only three things, I really believe, you need to tell a good story.

Paul Schrader wrote this not long after Taxi Driver and a lot of the same sort of messages come through. Rolling Thunder and Taxi Driver are almost companion pieces to each other, sequels only by theme. I've watched this movie probably about 5 times now and plan on watching it a lot more. Everytime I see it I notice something different going on.

If you have an hour and a half and you're in the mood to watch something dark and thrilling I HIGHLY recommend this film. You can rent the uncut VHS in Atlanta from VIDEODROME (617 N Highland Avenue NE Atlanta, GA 30306) or if you know me come by and watch it at my house!

See the trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd4dW6sbplA&feature=related