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      Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

      1974, Comedy/Drama, 1h 54m

      34 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

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      Critics Consensus

      This likable buddy/road picture deftly mixes action and comedy, and features excellent work from stars Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges and first-time director Michael Cimino. Read critic reviews

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      Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974)

      Movie Info

      While stealing a car, free-spirited drifter Lightfoot (Jeff Bridges) crosses paths with legendary thief Thunderbolt (Clint Eastwood) in the midst of his own escape. Thunderbolt's old partners in crime, Red (George Kennedy) and Eddie (Geoffrey Lewis), believe he double-crossed them after they robbed a Montana bank vault several years ago. After Thunderbolt successfully pleads his innocence and is let off the hook, Lightfoot rallies them together as a group to rob the very same bank again.

      • Rating: R

      • Genre: Comedy, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Michael Cimino

      • Producer: Robert Daley

      • Writer: Michael Cimino

      • Release Date (Theaters):  original

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: United Artists

      • Production Co: Malpaso Company

      Cast & Crew

      News & Interviews for Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

      Critic Reviews for Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

      Audience Reviews for Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

      • Aug 02, 2019

        It starts as a sort of lighthearted character study that tips it's hat to the good-old-boys vibe ("aw shucks, ma'am, ah didn't mean anythin' by whut ah said!"), morphs into an "A-murica shore is be-yew-ti-ful country!" road trip, that finally settles into the heist film it means to be. Although Michael Cimino gambles with losing your interest by taking his sweet time, the gamble pays off by the dramatic ending. Clint, Bridges, and Kennedy are all up to par.

        kevin w Super Reviewer
      • Oct 19, 2010

        A smashing directorial debut for Michael Cimino who also wrote the spirited screenplay of this tough extremely enjoyable crime melodrama. Clint Eastwood and a young Jeff Bridges make a dynamite team, they have a breezy chemistry together. Clint Eastwood delivers a cool superlative performance as a prairie preacher and ex-veteran thief, John "Thunderbolt" Doherty, a member of an earlier heist where the money was hidden and never recovered, he has been hiding out from his former partners. Eastwood meets a fun-loving drifter named "Lightfoot" who is game for anything, Jeff Bridges gives a luminous scene-stealing performance that earned him his first Oscar nomination, Bridges is at his quirky best here. They strike-up a friendship and decide to pull a heist, with the help of two previous associates, played superbly by a menacing George Kennedy as Red Leary, and a very funny Geoffery Lewis as Eddie Goody, special kudos must go to George Kennedy performance, his villainous character is one of the meanest S.O.B. in screen history. Well-choreographed action and stunningly beautiful cinematography by Frank Stanley. Exquisite supporting performances by Gary Busey, Catherine Bach, Dub Taylor; and a standout turn by legendary character actor Bill McKinney. A well-crafted exciting film with equal moments of hilarity and pathos. Highly Recommended.

        Super Reviewer
      • Apr 05, 2009

        Outstandingly average.

        Super Reviewer
      • Oct 23, 2007

        Great, great movie. Eastwood and Bridges in fine form. Interesting script, with some depressing moments and a moving ending. Watch out for the naked woman too!

        Super Reviewer

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