Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
United Artists | Release Date: May 24, 1974 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
62
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Critic Reviews
Positive:
6
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
The DissolveKeith 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
80
CineVueCraig 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
75
Slant MagazineJake Cole
Of all the ’70s road movies, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot may be the only one in which the characters find themselves. Read full review
75
Rolling StoneBilge Ebiri
Bridges in particular is quite excellent, taking his character's surface sweetness to at times almost psychotic extremes. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
A crisp, well-written cast caper movie sporting some stunning landscapes and a fine core of performances. Read full review
70
VarietyStaff (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
60
EmpireIan 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
60
Time OutStaff (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
50
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
Surly, incoherent, and provocatively mysterious. Read full review
50
The New York TimesHoward Thompson
Not so hot. Try again, boys. Read full review
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