Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

”Let me tell the story – I can tell it all – about the mountain boy who ran illegal alcohol – “ The Ballad of Thunder Road

This is dedicated to my buddy, Don Krider, who lives in the heart of America’s whiskey country, Louisville Kentucky.

Thunder Road, besides being about one of the most American of subjects – illegal moonshine production and distribution - features a strong performance by perennial tough guy favorite Robert Mitchum and gives a whiff of the origins of NASCAR - organized stock car racing, of which many of the original drivers began their careers as moonshine “transporters.”

Such a man is Lucas Doolin (Robert Mitchum), who is probably the coolest character ever to light up the silver screen; fellas like James Dean, Paul Newman, or Steve McQueen cannot hold a candle to Mitchum as bad boy here. ...W-e-lll, maybe Hud (Paul Newman) can - but that's about it ~ Mitchum is iconic, with a cigarette dangling from his lip in almost every scene.

Anyway, Mitchum is a transporter – a guy with a souped up car with a 200-gallon moonshine tank. A war veteran, and therefore aware of the outside world’s influence that will bring his way of life to an end, Doolin nevertheless has embraced the age-old traditions of his home and drives his 1950 Ford coupe at breakneck speeds through the twisty mountain roads to deliver the ‘shine. Usually the work is at night, and usually the police or treasury agents (revenuers) are waiting for him. Evading the roadblocks and outrunning the chase is all part of the day’s work to a moonshine runner.

Viewed from the perspective of the protagonist knowingly trodding a path that can only have one end, the story can be seen to be a tragedy, with the poor doomed Mitchum pursuing his path regardless of personal peril. Besides the “revenooers,” organized crime is attempting to corner the illegal liquor business by intimidation, so the moonrunner is beset on both sides of the law – “what’s a guy trying to make an honest living to do?” The views expressed by the moonrunners hearken back to the attitudes of the founding fathers of America – mind your own business, do your own thing and tell the oppressor where to get off.

For Ford versus Chevy fans, the lines are also clearly demarcated: Good guys (moonshiners) drive Fords, and bad guys (cops) drive Chevys; 57 Fords and 57 Chevys, at that. So, if you are a car fanatic, Thunder Road is a slam dunk with all of the classic Detroit iron exhibited, factory fresh and showroom new. Thunder Road is an artifact of its time, it was produced in the era it represents, so all the gadgets and mannerisms give a flavor of the 50s as no period drama can.

All in all, Thunder Road is a fairly low budget film that deserves a much bigger audience. Written, produced, and starring Robert Mitchum ( Night of the Hunter, Midway, The Yakuza), who also wrote the songs, we are treated to a view of swaggering machismo and car crazy lifestyle that is very seductive to fans of all ages. James Mitchum, the actor's son convincingly portrays his brother, and is startlingly similar in appearance to his famous dad. Gene Barry (The War of the Worlds) also plays well as one of the "bad guy" Treasury agents.

The DVD is by MGM, in black and white, and is 1.33:1 theatrical format. Clocking in at 93 minutes, you will certainly not be wasting your time and you might become as big a Robert Mitchum fan as I am after seeing Thunder Road.

Enjoy a good film tonight!

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening