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Drama

Distant Thunder (1988): Cast, Box Office & Where to Watch

Distant Thunder (1988) movie poster

Distant Thunder is a 1988 drama directed by Rick Rosenthal, starring John Lithgow as Mark Lambert, Tom Bower and Ralph Macchio. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes and earned $156,188 worldwide. Stream it on Hoopla, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

Distant Thunder (1988) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 54m (114 min)
Director
Rick Rosenthal
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Distant Thunder About?

The premise of Distant Thunder without spoilers.

A haunted Vietnam veteran, fresh from combat, abandons his wife and child. After a decade living in isolation like a wild animal, he returns to find his family shattered. Struggling to adapt to a world that moved on, his attempts to reconnect with his son reveal the deep, unintended wounds he inflicted.

Distant Thunder Themes & Keywords

· 39 tags
  • vietnam war veteran
  • mother son relationship
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • divorce
  • desertion
  • ptsd post traumatic stress disorder
  • forest
  • vietnam
  • guerilla warfare
  • martial arts
  • hand to hand combat
  • ex special forces
+27 more
  • diner
  • shot in the head
  • murder
  • valedictorian
  • illinois
  • year 1969
  • flashback
  • washington state
  • suicide attempt
  • killed by a train
  • hit by a train
  • shot in the stomach
  • stabbed in the stomach
  • train
  • rivalry
  • domestic violence
  • dentures
  • suicide
  • thrown through a window
  • railway
  • pacific northwest
  • unemployment
  • ostracism
  • estranged parent
  • racial slur
  • father son relationship
  • homelessness
Where to watch

Where to Watch Distant Thunder

Stream it on Hoopla, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Distant Thunder Cast & Characters

John Lithgow leads the cast as Mark Lambert, with Tom Bower as Louis and Ralph Macchio as Jack Lambert. Directed by Rick Rosenthal; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Distant Thunder

· 8 more
Box office

Distant Thunder Box Office

Distant Thunder grossed $156,188 worldwide.

1988 box office

Worldwide gross

$156.2K

US & Canada
$156.2K
Cars

Cars in Distant Thunder

12 cars on screen, including the 1978 Honda Civic and the 1966 Pontiac LeMans.

All 12 cars
  • 1978 Honda Civic in Distant Thunder 1978 Honda Civic Important role
  • 1966 Pontiac LeMans in Distant Thunder 1966 Pontiac LeMans Important role
  • Caterpillar 966 C in Distant Thunder Caterpillar 966 C Minor role
  • 1953 International Harvester R-Series in Distant Thunder 1953 International Harvester R-Series Minor role
Details

Distant Thunder Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “L'enfer après l'enfer” and “Elhaló mennydörgés”.

Also known as
  • L'enfer après l'enfer
  • Elhaló mennydörgés
  • Ultimi echi di guerra
  • Hjältarnas bakgård
  • Burza w oddali
  • Torturado Pelo Passado
  • 전쟁과 절망
  • 天伦遗恨
  • Далекий гром
  • Ecos de guerra

Seen Distant Thunder?

FAQ

Distant Thunder FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office and post-credit scenes of Distant Thunder, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Distant Thunder?

Distant Thunder runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).

When was Distant Thunder released?

Distant Thunder was released on November 11, 1988.

Who directed Distant Thunder?

Distant Thunder was directed by Rick Rosenthal.

More films by Rick Rosenthal

Who is in the cast of Distant Thunder?

Distant Thunder stars John Lithgow as Mark Lambert, Tom Bower as Louis and Ralph Macchio as Jack Lambert, among 12 credited actors.

Where can I watch Distant Thunder?

In the US, Distant Thunder is streaming on Hoopla and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Distant Thunder make at the box office?

Distant Thunder grossed $156,188 worldwide.

Does Distant Thunder have a post-credit scene?

No. Distant Thunder has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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