Michael Cimino's screenplay and debut as a director is a back-road road movie and heist caper underpinned by a light-hearted relationship of bonding and joshing between two men. Eastwood and Bridges have a good onscreen chemistry and the film in the first act is light of foot as they evade two other criminals giving chase. The tone turns darker through the plot when an eleborate bank robbery plan is hatched which brings a brutal George Kennedy into the fray. Although the build up is dynamic it is arguably too long. The dialogue is amusingly vulgar at times. Bridges' fun-loving grifter pitched against the more world-wise criminality of Eastwood and an unforgiving Kennedy makes for good contrast, but it is tragic in the end.

This is not so much a review as a question. I found the movie to be a lot of fun, fast paced, well acted, great scenery, direction, and reasonably put together. My question is: why was this movie the effective end of June Fairchild's career? Sure, she had a couple of nowhere roles in stupid movies, but this was her high point. Cathy Bach, on the other hand did very well after this. Why? June's acting was very good, she had a much bigger part, well, than almost any of the other bit players. Further, she cute as the dickens. She was likable, and she screamed beautifully. This lady had a sad end, and it seems that everyone just wrote her off. Could something have happened on the set that made her an outcast? No doubt it will never be known, but it should be said by someone that she played a good part and is NOT forgotten.

An excellent character based comedy / drama, "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" is a well above average 1970s vehicle for established star Clint Eastwood. Clint plays the role of "Thunderbolt", a bank robber laying low (masquerading as a preacher!) when an old associate shows up, ready to do him in. Saving Thunderbolts' life is amiable, carefree youngster "Lightfoot", played with charm and likability by Jeff Bridges. They become quick friends. Soon, they'll find that they won't be able to escape Thunderbolts' old partners in crime, Red Leary (George Kennedy) and Eddie Goody (Geoffrey Lewis). Lightfoot gets the bright idea that they should mastermind the second robbery of a bank that the others had previously hit.As could be expected with any good caper film, it's fun to see the participants discuss all the obstacles in their way, and all of the preparations that they will have to make. This material is immensely enjoyable, but it's the characters and performances that really make an impact. Clint does a typically solid, engaging job, with very fine support from the foaming-mad Kennedy and the always reliable Lewis. There's quite a few other familiar faces in the cast, too: Catherine Bach, Gary Busey, Jack Dodson, Burton Gilliam, Roy Jenson, Bill McKinney, Vic Tayback, Dub Taylor, Gregory Walcott, and Cliff Emmich. But make no mistake, this is Bridges' film. Whether he's taunting Red in an interesting way, or being made to dress in drag as part of the robbery scheme, he steals the show.Michael Cimino, the filmmaker who later scored big with "The Deer Hunter", and earned himself infamy with the notorious spectacle "Heaven's Gate", made his directing debut here. He'd previously co-written the "Dirty Harry" sequel "Magnum Force", and Clint had lots of confidence in the up and coming talent. Cimino gives his film great pace, and, in collaboration with cinematographer Frank Stanley, gives "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" some impressive widescreen compositions.Endearing entertainment all the way, further enhanced by Paul Williams's touching song "Where Does a Fool Go".Nine out of 10.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is one of those films that Hollywood and the people of today have forgotten. This film is more than a caper and road comedy film. It is also A film about it's characters who are played wonderfully by a grade A cast starring Clint Eastwood as the laconic loner, also starring Jeff Bridges who gives A wonderful Oscar nominated performance as Lightfoot, with wonderful supporting actors George Kennedy as the violent and menacing red Leary, and also Gregory Lewis as Eddie Goody. The whole cast gives wonderful performance's that are to be praised and remembered. The other thing worth praising is the direction of Michael Cimino, who also did the writing for the film which made it a very memorable winner and the editing by Ferris Webster was excellent also the cinematography by Frank Stanley is gorgeous, the images will stay with you long after the film ends.Overall this film is one of the best classics that movie goers of today have nearly forgotten.