THUNDER RUN

US, 1986, 91 minutes, Colour.
Forrest Tucker, John Ireland, John Sheppard.
Directed by Gary Hudson.

Thunder Run is an action adventure. However, the screenplay looks as if it was composed by committee - something for everyone. Forrest Tucker and John Ireland, veterans of many decades of film-making, are the central characters. However, John Sheppard is the young hero with which the younger audiences can identify. There is action, action in Nevada settings, square-dance music as well as contemporary music, a touch of sex. The plot is also modern insofar as plutonium is being transferred, there are terrorists, ex-CIA members and intrigues. There is also echo of the past with drag-races and a heavy truck trying to get through the Nevada countryside.

1.Action adventure? For the average audience keen on action? Older audiences, younger audiences?

2.The Nevada settings, the town, the mine, the highways? Actions and stunts? Special effects? Musical score?

3.The title, memories of Korea, the veterans and their action, the truck?

4.The initial plot: the plutonium, the terrorists, the attack? George and his contacts with the military, ex CIA? His plan? The approval of the army? The approach to Charlie, the money, persuading him?

5.Charlie and his mine, making do, cobalt? His genial relationship with his wife? With Chris? The proposition, his acceptance, finding the time to tell Maggie, her reaction? Chris and his interest and wanting to go? The buying of the truck, the picking it out for terrorist attack? The relaxing, the square-dancing? Maggie and her concern? Support?

6.Chris, relationship with his grandparents, his work, skill with machines, cars? The drag-race, his friends, winning? His girlfriend, sex? Paul, collaboration? In the water? His girlfriend? Computer skills?

7.The set-up for the ride: Paul and the girls getting the computer code? Charlie and Chris and Chris's stowing away? The travelling, the attack by the terrorists, the arms and fire against them?

8.The sketch of the terrorists, a big group, Carlos and his angers? Their pursuit, the cars, the trucks, the helicopter? Manoeuvres?

9.Their being bettered by Charlie? The crashes, the separation of the truck and its load? The small truck and getting the plutonium through? The split-second timing for the computer code? The barrier and the tunnel? Going through?

10.The irony of George wanting the plutonium for himself? The clash with Charlie? Charlie informing the military and their arresting George? The happy ending?

11.Popular ingredients for popular entertainment? American style of the '80s?