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Thunderbolt

Play trailer Poster for Thunderbolt 1929,  1h 31m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Stream Now Watchlist 70% 10 Reviews Tomatometer 41% 100+ Ratings Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 41% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
A condemned criminal (George Bancroft) plots revenge on the young man (Richard Arlen) who stole his gal (Fay Wray) and landed next to him on death row.
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Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker Mar 18, 2019
With streaks of shadow and jolting contrasts of light to match the film's eccentric lurches between violence, comedy, and onscreen musical performance... Sternberg evokes a nerve-jangling city of macabre menace. Go to Full Review
Geoff Andrew Time Out Oct 3, 2013
A museum piece, then, for Sternberg completists only. Go to Full Review
Mordaunt Hall New York Times Oct 3, 2013
1.5/5
There is nothing edifying about this production, and it is hardly an entertainment. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Jul 24, 2021
3/4
Thunderbolt was Josef von Sternberg's first talkie (a silent version was also produced) and nabbed George Bancroft his only Best Actor Oscar nomination. Go to Full Review
Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Nov 21, 2017
Brilliantly filmed tale of romance and the underworld. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Oct 29, 2015
B-
The first talkie by Josef Von Sternberg. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Theodore R Apr 6, 2017 A significant picture for two reasons, 1. The first all talking picture of Josef Von Sternberg & 2. An unofficial follow up to Underworld 1927. The story of Mob Boss played by George Bancroft who is mad about his girl, but his girl is a getting friendly with cute young Bank Teller. Bancroft is charged for murder & sentenced to death row but is adamant on getting revenge on the Bank Teller & frames him for a murder so they are both on death row. Due to being made on the cusp of sound the dialogue & performances are a little squeaky but this film has a terrific concept & could be remade today no doubt. See more
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Thunderbolt

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Cast & Crew

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Josef von Sternberg

Director

George Bancroft

Thunderbolt Jim Lang

Fay Wray

Ritzy

Richard Arlen

Bob Morgan

Tully Marshall

Warden

Eugenie Besserer

Mrs. Morgan

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Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt (1929) Thunderbolt (1929) Thunderbolt (1929) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A condemned criminal (George Bancroft) plots revenge on the young man (Richard Arlen) who stole his gal (Fay Wray) and landed next to him on death row.
Director
Josef von Sternberg
Producer
B.P. Fineman
Screenwriter
Charles Furthman, Jules Furthman, Herman J. Mankiewicz, Josef von Sternberg
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 20, 1929, Wide
Runtime
1h 31m
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