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Drama thriller

Rolling Thunder (1977): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Rolling Thunder (1977) movie poster

Rolling Thunder is a 1977 drama thriller directed by John Flynn, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Dabney Coleman and William Devane. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $115 worldwide. Critics gave it 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
worldwide gross
$115
Metascore
66
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Rolling Thunder (1977) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
John Flynn
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rolling Thunder About?

The premise of Rolling Thunder without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young director faces intense challenges while attempting to complete his ambitious short film. Unexpected chaos erupts during production, threatening to derail his creative vision and push his determination to its limits. He must navigate a series of escalating problems while striving to maintain his artistic integrity and deliver the film he envisioned.

Rolling Thunder Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • home invasion
  • payback
  • shooting
  • silver dollar
  • prosthetic hook
  • vietnam war veteran
  • psychotronic film
  • pow mia bracelet
  • u.s. mexico border
  • el paso texas
  • military veteran
  • prisoner of war
+38 more
  • murder
  • homicide
  • sadism
  • brutality
  • fight
  • blood
  • blood splatter
  • nudity
  • gun
  • police officer
  • retaliation
  • friendship
  • shotgun
  • rage
  • wrath
  • beating
  • sunglasses
  • police car
  • cold blooded murder
  • military uniform
  • self justice
  • female admirer
  • showdown
  • pain
  • neo noir
  • thug
  • theft
  • prostitute
  • airport
  • brothel
  • motel room
  • corruption
  • physical torment
  • torment
  • physical torture
  • foot chase
  • american flag
  • red convertible
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Cast & crew

Rolling Thunder Cast

Tommy Lee Jones leads the cast, with Dabney Coleman and William Devane. Directed by John Flynn; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from John Flynn

More films directed by John Flynn, best-rated first: Lock Up, Out for Justice, Protection and Brainscan.

Full filmography
Ratings

Rolling Thunder Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rolling Thunder 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

Plot

Rolling Thunder Plot Summary

What happens in Rolling Thunder from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Major Charles Rane, played by Tommy Lee Jones, returns to a drastically altered San Antonio after being imprisoned as a POW in Hanoi for seven long years. His homecoming is bittersweet, as he grapples with a changed life where his son, Mark, has matured without him, and his wife, Janet, now has feelings for local policeman Cliff Nichols. Despite her lingering affection for Rane, a silent longing remains between them. With unwavering resolve, Rane aims to rebuild his relationship with Mark, strictly adhering to the disciplined mentality developed during his captivity.

Full summary

The whole story of Rolling Thunder, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Rolling Thunder Box Office

Rolling Thunder grossed $115 worldwide.

1977 box office

Worldwide gross

$115

International
$115
Videos

Rolling Thunder Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Rolling Thunder (1977) ORIGINAL TRAILER
  • Featurette Eli Roth on ROLLING THUNDER
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Rolling Thunder?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the main character who returns home after being a POW?

Cars

Cars in Rolling Thunder

30 cars on screen, including the 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado and the 1971 AMC Ambassador.

All 30 cars
  • 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado in Rolling Thunder 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Main role
  • 1971 AMC Ambassador in Rolling Thunder 1971 AMC Ambassador Minor role
  • 1973 Chevrolet C-20 in Rolling Thunder 1973 Chevrolet C-20 Minor role
  • 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in Rolling Thunder 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Minor role
Details

Rolling Thunder Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “滚雷” and “符碌奇兵”.

Also known as
  • 滚雷
  • 符碌奇兵
  • Légitime violence
  • Der Mann mit der Stahlkralle
  • El ex-preso de Corea
  • רעם מתגלגל
  • Mennydörgés
  • Bez slitování
  • Несдържан гняв
  • Гремящий гром
  • A Outra Face da Violência
  • 롤링 썬더
+3 more
  • ローリング・サンダー
  • Kulisty Piorun
  • Гуркіт грому

Seen Rolling Thunder?

FAQ

Rolling Thunder FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Rolling Thunder, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Rolling Thunder?

Rolling Thunder runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Rolling Thunder released?

Rolling Thunder was released on October 14, 1977.

Who directed Rolling Thunder?

Rolling Thunder was directed by John Flynn.

More films by John Flynn

Who is in the cast of Rolling Thunder?

Rolling Thunder stars Tommy Lee Jones, Dabney Coleman and William Devane, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Rolling Thunder make at the box office?

Rolling Thunder grossed $115 worldwide.

How is Rolling Thunder rated?

Rolling Thunder has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 66 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Rolling Thunder have a post-credit scene?

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

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