Thunderbolt And Lightfoot Details

This marvellous crime drama marked the directing debut of Michael Cimino, who later distinguished (or disgraced) himself with The Deer Hunter and Heaven's Gate. Clint Eastwood plays the crook who teams up with drifter Jeff Bridges, and, with George Kennedy and Geoffrey Lewis (father of Juliette) in pursuit, goes on a hapless quest for hidden loot. Eastwood takes a bit of a back seat, letting the other three walk away with the acting honours. Bridges is terrific (although a drag sequence seems to go on for ever), but it's the manic Lewis you will remember. The scenery is handsome and the roll call of technicians would later feature in some of Eastwood's own fine work as a director. If you can ignore its rather tasteless sense of humour, this movie is enormously enjoyable.

This was Cimino's only preparation as director for the epic undertakings of The Deer Hunter and Heaven's Gate, and is... read more on Time Out