Action,Crime,Drama,Thriller
United States of America
Rolling Thunder is a 1977 vigilante action film directed by John Flynn and starring William Devane and Tommy Lee Jones. The film explores the psychological toll that war takes on its soldiers and the struggle to readjust to civilian life.
Charles Rane (William Devane) returns home to San Antonio, Texas, after being held as a prisoner of war for seven years. Rane is greeted by a hero's welcome, but he struggles to find his place in a society that he feels has left him behind. Rane's wife has moved on, and his son doesn't remember him.
Rane receives a gift of silver coins from the government as a symbol of his sacrifice and service. However, Rane's newfound wealth attracts the attention of some former acquaintances who decide to rob him. During the robbery, Rane's hand is mangled in a garbage disposal, and his wife and son are murdered.
Rane survives, but he is left with a hook for a hand and a burning desire for revenge. Aided by his friend Johnny Vohden (Tommy Lee Jones), a fellow veteran, Rane sets out to track down the men responsible for his family's death.
As Rane and Vohden move closer to their targets, they become increasingly violent and self-destructive. Rane seeks a sense of closure, but he finds that his thirst for revenge may cost him everything he has left.
Rolling Thunder is a visceral, gritty film that explores the dark side of the American Dream. It has since become a classic of the vigilante genre, inspiring films like Death Wish and Taken.
