Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

Name: Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Crime
Released: May 24, 1974
Duration: 115 min
Rating: 62
Cast: Burton Gilliam, Catherine Bach, Claudia Lennear, Clint Eastwood, Eugene Elman

1974

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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Thunderbolt And Lightfoot

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Movie Details & Credits

United Artists | Release Date: May 24, 1974 | R

Starring: Burton Gilliam, Catherine Bach, Claudia Lennear, Clint Eastwood, Eugene Elman, Gary Busey, Geoffrey Lewis, Jack Dodson, Jeff Bridges, Roy Jenson

Summary: With the help of an irreverent young sidekick, a bank robber gets his old gang back together to organize a daring new heist.

Director: Michael Cimino

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 115 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Keith Phipps

Both Kennedy and Lewis turn in colorful performances, but it’s Eastwood and Bridges’ film, and their ill-defined, tender friendship makes the movie. Read full review

Craig Williams

Eastwood and Bridges handle the tricky character transitions well, playing the broad material for the back rows while hinting at the inner darkness. Cimino’s Thunderbolt and Lightfoot beckoned in the strange birth of a true auteur, and it’s one well worth digging into. Read full review

Jake Cole

Of all the ’70s road movies, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot may be the only one in which the characters find themselves. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is an overlong, sometimes hilariously vulgar comedy-drama, about the restaging of a difficult safecracking heist. Debuting director Michael Cimino obtains superior performances from Clint Eastwood, George Kennedy, Geoffrey Lewis and especially Jeff Bridges. Read full review

Empire Ian Freer

Eastwood is in good, if not great form, Bridges steals the whole show, and Cimino displays a sense of unpretentious fun and appealing grasp of character. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Looks like a throwaway Eastwood vehicle, through which he drifts as the older partner, allowing Jeff Bridges to strike most of the sparks and steal the movie as his good-natured sidekick. Read full review

Howard Thompson

Not so hot. Try again, boys. Read full review

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User Reviews

DawdlingPoet

Nov 25, 2021

This is a fairly pleasant watch, just overall a fairly unremarkable one. I found it amusing seeing Clint Eastwood playing a preacher (initially) and there are some reasonably decent special effects and chase type scenes but for most of the film, the plot felt thin on the ground. ItsThis is a fairly pleasant watch, just overall a fairly unremarkable one. I found it amusing seeing Clint Eastwood playing a preacher (initially) and there are some reasonably decent special effects and chase type scenes but for most of the film, the plot felt thin on the ground. Its certainly not a deadly dull film but it wasn't a film that particularly stood out to me either, although I certainly did enjoy watching Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges interact with each other (they give decent performances). I felt it was a shame the script hadn't been adjusted at times - it could have been a better film than I felt it was but I certainly can't say it doesn't have its entertaining moments and its pretty watchable all the same, just not constantly enthralling. I suppose I do tend to automatically assume that this sort of a film will have more of a quicker pace. It does, I should point out, become more amusing and more fast paced towards the end. Personally, I wouldn't go out of your way to see it as such, unless the cast particularly appeals to you perhaps so I wouldn't overly recommend it, no.… Expand

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r96sk

Jan 19, 2022

A hit-and-miss, if still probably good, 1974 film.

'Thunderbolt and Lightfoot' fails as a comedy but actually does work as a road trip/heist movie, even with a surprisingly sombre ending. To further the mixed bag feeling, I found the acting talent to be just that. I'd say this is one ofA hit-and-miss, if still probably good, 1974 film.

'Thunderbolt and Lightfoot' fails as a comedy but actually does work as a road trip/heist movie, even with a surprisingly sombre ending. To further the mixed bag feeling, I found the acting talent to be just that.

I'd say this is one of Clint Eastwood's weakest performances, though Jeff Bridges has a lot of fun and is the standout in his role. George Kennedy is closely behind him and ahead of Eastwood, in my opinion.

The film attempts a lot, I'm not convinced it all works, but I'd recommend it - the pacing is on point, so it doesn't drag.… Expand

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