Distant Thunder *** (1988, John Lithgow, Ralph Macchio, Kerrie Keane) – Classic Movie Review 11,173

‘A hero of war. A casualty of peace. With only one hope for survival. His son.’ 

Director Rick Rosenthal’s 1988 drama Distant Thunder is a well-played and likeable, but clichéd and over-sentimental Canadian tearjerker, though its strengths outweigh its weaknesses.

Dependable actor John Lithgow stars as Mark Lambert, a troubled Vietnam war Navy SEAL veteran whose long-lost son Jack (Ralph Macchio) comes to discover him in the wilds. There Lithgow is heading a group of other disturbed vets who have retreated from society. Can Macchio persuade his dad to re-enter the world?

Rosenthal is the director of Halloween 2, Russkies and The Birds 2.

Also in the cast are Kerrie Keane, Reb Brown, Janet Margolin, Dennis Arndt, Jamey Sheridan, Tom Bower, John Kelly, Michael Currie, Hilary Strang, Robyn Stevan, David Longworth and Gordon Currie.

The screenplay by Robert Stitzel is based on a story by Robert Stitzel and Deedee Wehle.

It was shot between September and November 1987 in British Columbia, Canada.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,173

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