Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges (in an OscarÂ(r) nominated* performance) star as an off-beat pair of modern-day outlaws in this bold, action-packed crime thriller. Featuring outstanding supporting performances by George Kennedy (Airport), Gary Busey (Lethal Weapon) and Geoffrey Lewis (Maverick), it's a crisp, well-written, witty, tough [and] superbly cast caper movie (Cinebooks). John 'thunderbolt Doherty (Eastwood) is a former thief whose razor-sharp wits and steely nerves made him a master of his profession, but he's about to reenter the criminal world with a new partner: Lightfoot (Bridges), a brash young drifter whose energy and exuberance give the veteran a new outlook on life. Their target: the seemingly impenetrable Montana Armored Depository. After forming an uneasy alliance with Thunderbolt's former partners in crime (Kennedy and Lewis),they launch an amazing scheme that will test the limits of their endurance...and the power of theirfriendship. Fueled by explosive action, fascinating characters and a powerfully moving climax, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot is an adventure of the highest caliber. *1974: Supporting Actor

Jeff Bridges actually corralled an Oscar nomination for his spirited, oddball performance in this genre crime story, directed by first-timer Michael Cimino who (a short two films later) would bring down a studio with Heaven's Gate. Clint Eastwood plays a bank robber par excellence with a flair for explosives who is being hunted by his former partners, who think he has their loot from their last job. Bridges is his eager apprentice and sidekick, who helps him escape; when Eastwood finally makes peace with his hunters, Bridges convinces them to try a daring robbery--but things inevitably go awry. The relationship between Eastwood and Bridges is both funny and touching in this, one of Eastwood's better post-Dirty Harry efforts. --Marshall Fine