Distant Thunder (1988 film)

Distant Thunder
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Rick Rosenthal
Written by	Robert Stitzel Deedee Wehle
Produced by	Robert Schaffel
Starring	John Lithgow Ralph Macchio
Cinematography	Ralf D. Bode
Edited by	Dennis Virkler
Music by	Maurice Jarre
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	November 11, 1988 (1988-11-11)
Running time	114 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$8 million
Box office	$156,188

Distant Thunder is a 1988 American drama film directed by Rick Rosenthal and starring John Lithgow and Ralph Macchio.[1]

Plot

The film tells the story of a troubled ex-Navy SEAL and Vietnam War veteran Mark Lambert (John Lithgow), who, upon returning home from the war, alienates his wife and child by deserting them and moving away into the remote wilderness of Washington state.

After 10 years of living off the land and suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, Mark decides to rejoin civilized society and finds his now teenage son Jack (Ralph Macchio), who is living in Illinois. As an estranged father and recluse, Mark quickly finds himself unprepared for the changes that he must face.

Cast

• John Lithgow as Mark Lambert
• Ralph Macchio as Jack Lambert
• Kerrie Keane as Char
• Reb Brown as Harvey Nitz
• Janet Margolin as Barbara Lambert
• Denis Arndt as Larry
• Jamey Sheridan as Moss
• Tom Bower as Louis
• John Kelly as Andy
• Michael Currie as Coach Swabey
• Hilary Strang as Jane
• Robyn Stevan as Holly
• David Longworth as Sheriff
• Gordon Currie as Billy Watson
• Walter Marsh as The Principal
• Allan Lysell as Buddy
• Kate Robbins as The Waitress
• David Glyn-Jones as The Waiter
• Denalda Williams as Jeanette

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from movie critics.[2] Roger Ebert commenting on this film said "Lithgow's performance is at the heart of the movie, and at the heart of his work is the way he smokes a cigarette or avoids looking anyone in the eye."[3]

Box office

The movie was a box-office flop with a total revenue of barely $150,000 for a $8 million budget.[4]

References

1. Easton, Nina J. (1987-03-22). "Still Shuddering at 'Distant Thunder' : Vietnam 'Bush Vets' Helped Shape Film About Soldiers' Trauma - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
2. Maslin, Janet (1988-11-11). "Movie Review - Distant Thunder - Review/Film; Reunion of Veteran and Son - NYTimes.com". Movies.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-06-26.
3. "Distant Thunder - Reviews". Rogerebert.suntimes.com. 1988-11-11. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
4. Klady, Leonard (1989-01-08). "Box Office Champs, Chumps : The hero of the bottom line was the 46-year-old 'Bambi' - Page 2 - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2012-06-26.

External links

• Distant Thunder at IMDb
• Distant Thunder at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
• Distant Thunder at the TCM Movie Database
• Distant Thunder at Box Office Mojo
• Distant Thunder at Rotten Tomatoes