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Distant Thunder (1988)

R | | Drama | 11 November 1988 (USA)
Distant Thunder Poster
A troubled Vietnam war vet deserts his wife and child shortly after he returns from the war. He returns after 10 years, where he's been living like an animal in the forest. He finds himself... See full summary »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Jack Lambert
... Mark Lambert
... Char
... Harvey Nitz
... Barbara Lambert
... Larry
... Moss
... Louis
John Kelly ... Andy
Michael Currie ... Coach Swabey
Hilary Strang ... Jane
Robyn Stevan ... Holly
... Sheriff
... Billy Watson
... Principal
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Storyline

A troubled Vietnam war vet deserts his wife and child shortly after he returns from the war. He returns after 10 years, where he's been living like an animal in the forest. He finds himself unprepared for the changes that he will have to cope with, and when the vet tries to contact his son, he realizes that he has caused more damage than he had imagined. Written by Brennan Storr

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

forest | vietnam | guerilla warfare | martial arts | hand to hand combat | See All (36) »

Taglines:

The last echoes of war. See more »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

11 November 1988 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Distant Thunder - The last echoes of war  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$156,188
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

John Lithgow's character was a Navy SEAL during his service in Vietnam. See more »

Goofs

The 1966 Pontiac used in the film is not a real GTO. The taillights are single pod lenses making this either a Tempest or LeMans - a real GTO has segmented taillights which spans the rear header panel with a 12 inch blank center section. Also, a real GTO has the grille emblem in the driver side grille opening (same with the final 2004-06 generation) - the emblem is on the passenger side grille (the final muscle-era GTO produced for the 1974 model year has a vinyl graphic GTO logo placed on the passenger-side header panel). See more »

Quotes

Mark Lambert: When I was 18, my father used to call me "numbnuts" and "dumbass".
See more »

Soundtracks

Bad Moon Rising
Written by John Fogerty (as John C. Fogerty)
Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Courtesy of Fantasy, Inc.
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User Reviews

Buried Treasure!
8 November 2005 | by – See all my reviews

Now this is a brilliant saga of a father-son rivalry in an emotional and atmospheric drama set within the backdrops of the post-Vietnam war. I remember watching this film during the year when it was just out and for some reason it couldn't let go off my mind. John Lithgow and Ralph Macchio plays two opposite characters of a disturbed father and a lost son relationship which blends to an utmost perfect chemistry and with the slick and tight direction of Rick Rosenthal,(I wonder why is he doing only materials for TV nowdays) the film delivers some outstanding cinematography and manages to grip you until the powerful climax. Even though you are not fond of humanity dramas, this movie would still please you as you watch John Lithgow's Oscar-caliber performance and the message of Peace implicitly.I enjoyed it on the whole and I am glad its out on DVD!
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