Thunder Road

Luke Doolin runs moonshine in Tennessee. His father makes it in the woods and Luke drives it to town at high speed. Pressure comes from two sides: Kogan, a gangster from the city, wants to take over the local trade, and Barrett, a Treasury agent, wants to end the making of it entirely. Luke keeps his younger brother Robin out of the work and defends his way of life; but that way of life has reached its end. Robert Mitchum produced Arthur Ripley's film, wrote the story and took the lead; he also wrote the words to the song the film is known for. It was shot on real roads in the American south and the driving sequences counted among the best of their time. The film played for years in American drive-ins and became a lasting reference for moonshine culture. Who it's for: Viewers who like 1950s American crime films, car chases, and Robert Mitchum. Who it's not for: The narrative is simple and the supporting characters are thin. The women also have limited function in it.