Le Canardeur

I think this movie gets lost in all the commercial Clint Eastwood vehicles,it far surpasses most of his 70's attempts. This is mostly due to Cimino's script and Bridges acting and honest words.This is far more than a buddy picture,rather one of the greatest love stories on film(all homosexual connotations aside),taking the male relationship in film to new levels because of the contrast of characters and there immediate like for one another.Skipped is most of the bickering used in lessor buddy flicks instead great interaction between the two and Clint still gets to shine as one of the coolest tough guys of the 70's.Great cinematography coupled with beautiful backdrops and a fine supporting cast make this a must see.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) isn't perfect, but it has a lot going for it. The pairing Eastwood and Bridges is great, these aren't the same kinds of actors, and yet their on-screen relationship works well. Supporting character actors George Kennedy and Geoffrey Lewis round out rest of the heisters, and Gary Busey makes an early appearance in a small role. Also of note is the striking Montana scenery, quite unseen on film, this movie does an admirable job showcasing it. What I'm really surprised about is how no one else seems to have noticed a couple of things about this film.

First: The title of this film, and its two main characters are an homage to a pair of famous 19th century highwaymen who called themselves respectively `Captain Thunderbolt' and `Captain Lightfoot'. This isn't the last time Hollywood film criminals would be named after real life bandits. In the film `The Way Of The Gun' the characters are called `Mr. Parker and Mr. Longbaugh' which of course were the real names of Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid! Also of interest is the fact that Geoffrey Lewis appears in The Way Of The Gun!

Second: Those interested in a companion piece to this film might consider watching `Thelma and Louise' which mirrors the on-the-road relationship of this film very closely. Though the plot is different, the relationship with the landscape and the emphasis on two characters is strikingly similar. In short a good film, worth watching!

This film has a few weak spots in the script, but I sure like it. A heist movie, with a mean Kennedy in it. Jeff and Clent never made another movie, and they could be like Redford and Newman; they have movie chemistry. TBS edits this film too much, its recomended watching on video. Worth renting 7/10.

This was Cimino's preparation to great epic and Oscarized "Deer Hunter" . Here Eastwood is a thief called Thunderbolt , he is on the run from his previous partners : George Kennedy, Geoffrey Lewis . Thunderbolt then joins joins up with a drifter nicknamed Lightfoot : Jeff Bridges . As Thunderbolt attempts to carry out a last job . Later on, Thunderbolt is captured by his former colleagues but he arranges to convince them he does not know where the money is from a prior hold-up . Lightfoot : Jeff Bridges, manages to convince them they should plan the same heist and rob the same government vault. Thunderbolt ..the man with the reputation. Lightfoot ...the kid who's about to make one ¡ . He has exactly seven minutes to get rich quick !

An amusing and fun film with likeable result and full of noisy action , pursuits , shootouts , car chases , humor , and a spectacular heist . Having written the script Cimino was given opportunity to direct it thanks to Clint Eastwood for whom he had formerly collaborated with John Milius in "Magnum Force" . All around give fine performances from Clint Eastwood as the expert robber believes he's made off with the loot from his last job and exceptional James Bridges as the good-natured colleague , as he steals the show by striking most of the sparks , being notable his scenes dressed in drag . Although Eastwood and Bridges are the central roles, here also appears George Kennedy and Geoffrey Lewis who fill their characters impressively , collectively overshadowing the stars , at times. As Clint Eastwod and Jeff Bridges are well accompanied by a top-notch support cast , such as : George Kennedy, Geoffrey Lewis , Roy Jenson, Bill McKinney , Dub Taylor , Vic Tayback , Gregory Walcott ,Catherine Bach and Gary Busey .

It contains colorful and adequate cinematography by Frank Stanley. As well as thrilling and atmospheric musical score by Dee Barton. The motion picture was well directed by Michael Cimino. This filmmaker wa a good craftsman who made few but very nice films with successes and flops, such as : Heaven's Gate , Year of the Dragon, The Sicilian , Desperate Hours , The Sunchaser and , of course , his biggest hit : The Deer Hunter . Rating : 7/10 . The flick will appeal to Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges fans .

The film has a fairly leisurely pace to it, it's a bit of a slow burn for sure, but a very welcome one. There are so many interesting and enjoyable things in this film. It's part road movie and part heist film really. It's a fun film with Jeff Bridges playing a fairly eccentric and irreverent young character and Clint playing the more experienced and relaxed tough guy role. George Kennedy is also very good, and the film definitely finds it's share of funny moments. Michael Cimino was an interesting writer/director who in fact credits Clint Eastwood with giving him his directorial start with this film. Eastwood was apparently given the right by the studio to fire Cimino early on in the filming of this, but obviously never chose to do so. He co-wrote a couple of the earlier Dirty Harry scripts and then wrote and directed this film entirely. Cimino preferred to take his time in delivering his films, especially his early ones where he was given more control over them. In doing so, he really created a few films with some very interesting, well developed and not so standard characters. This is a very strong directorial debut. It really is too bad that Heaven's Gate was later considered a failure for him to some degree, as it seems after that film and he has talked about this, that he was no longer given the same kind of control over his filmmaking that he had previously enjoyed. I would've liked to see a lot more of his cinematic visions in full. Cimino was definitely an interesting, somewhat unique and patient artist. Hollywood studios on the other hand, sadly have rarely been patient with many artistic filmmakers.

7.5/10.