Vietnam Vet’s Revenge Thriller Packs a Punch

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In the following year after his breakthrough, Paul Schrader made a splash in Hollywood with the critically praised screenplay for the 1976 film “Taxi Driver”. The very next year, the hard-hitting yet contemplative revenge thriller “Rolling Thunder” hit screens. Interestingly, Schrader had written this script as early as 1973. His work on “Rolling Thunder” was considered a companion piece to “Taxi Driver”, and it featured a cameo by Robert De Niro’s character Travis Bickle.

Initially, George Romero was intended to direct, but later it was Martin Scorsese who took over. Ultimately, John Flynn ended up helming the project, having recently directed “The Outfit” in 1973. Heywood Gould was brought on to revise the script, and a strong ensemble cast was assembled. Despite not being as bleak and merciless as Scorsese had envisioned, there’s still a significant amount of violence throughout the story. What truly sets “Rolling Thunder” apart is its unexpected emphasis on character development.

1973 marks the beginning of the movie as Major Charles Rane (William Devane) and Sergeant Johnny Vohden (Tommy Lee Jones), having endured seven harsh years in a Hanoi POW camp during the Vietnam War, return to Texas. Upon landing at San Antonio airport, they are met by an enthusiastic crowd from their home towns, who shower them with a red carpet, school band, political figures, and even a bag full of silver coins as a gesture of welcome. Despite putting on brave faces, Charlie and Johnny eventually part ways with their families after this emotional reunion.

Despite Charlie’s diligent attempts to acclimate back to everyday life, his family reunion didn’t turn out as he had envisioned. When Charlie left, his son Mark was just an eighteen-month-old baby, making Charlie feel like a foreigner in his own home. However, the situation worsened when Charlie’s wife Janet revealed that she had been seeing another man – a local sheriff’s deputy named Cliff – and they were now engaged to be married.

After that, the movie takes a violent twist when one day Charlie returns home to encounter a gang of armed men led by actor James Best, who are after some silver coins. When Charlie refuses to hand them over, they brutally assault and torment him, even grinding up his hand in a garbage disposal. To Charlie’s surprise, Janet and Mark show up, only to be taken hostage at gunpoint. In the end, the gang manages to obtain the coins and then mercilessly shoot Charlie and his entire family.

The majority of the tale unfolds following Charlie’s hospital awakening, where he undergoes several months of rehabilitation. Not only does he discover that Janet and Mark have perished, but he must adapt to living with a prosthetic arm due to losing his hand. Surprisingly, the movie omits the poignant scene where Charlie expresses his grief. While the narrative emphasizes Charlie’s (and fellow combat veterans’) suppression of emotions, it fails to depict the profound sorrow that such losses would provoke.

However, it’s evident that Charlie’s thirst for vengeance grows stronger as he learns that those responsible for his family’s murder remain unpunished. Consequently, he chooses to act independently, and with assistance from Vohden and a local barmaid named Linda (Linda Haynes), he embarks on a journey to Mexico. This is where the movie’s vengeance-driven narrative unfolds, leading to a dramatic shift towards a violent climax.

The performances are predominantly powerful, with Devane standing out as the ideal choice for the role of Charlie. While David Carradine was initially considered for the part, Devane delivers exactly what the character demands. On the surface, he appears friendly and professional, but it’s the subtle portrayal of his character’s hidden psychological turmoil that makes his performance remarkable. Jones also impresses with his expressive pain, and Haynes brings a new level of energy and sexual tension to the cast. Lastly, Dabney Coleman makes a brief appearance as Charlie’s military psychiatrist.

It’s regrettable to categorize “Rolling Thunder” with numerous “Death Wish” duplicates. Although there are clear parallels, such comparison isn’t entirely accurate. The film is equally a study on character as it is a revenge thriller. Its themes may be straightforward but they offer profound insights into the post-Vietnam alienation experienced by many veterans of that era. However, it also draws heavily from exploitation films, evident in its ultra-violent final 15 minutes. This violent element doesn’t perfectly align with earlier parts of the film, yet it delivers a satisfying conclusion for viewers.

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2025-02-12 19:57