Distant Thunder (1970)

Starring:Patty Dunning, Sally Johnson, Sandy Christen, Thom Rachford, Maryann Rachford, Heidi Vaughn, Russell S. Doughten Jr., Kent Wagner, Curtis Page, Jean Berg, Colleen Niday, Jim Ites, Timm Jackson, Tim Doughten, Murial Hunt, Don Beal, Rick Town, Herb Brown, Herb Brown Jr., Bob Dew
Director: Donald W. Thompson
Studio: Russ Doughten Films
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Great movie...
A Fair Portrayal
A Viewer
Lithgow is great the film... is not

Distant Thunder
Starring: Ralph Macchio , John Lithgow , Kerrie Keane , Reb Brown , and Janet Margolin
Director: Rick Rosenthal
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Forever Together
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Crossroads

ASIN: B00062IDLU
Release Date: 2004-12-07

Description

A troubled Vietnam veteran goes into self-exile shortly after the war, leaving his wife and young son to wonder if he will ever return. After 10 years of living in Washington's rainforest, he comes back and tries to salvage his relationship with his son.

Customer Reviews:

Great movie..........2006-05-26

Ussualy you see John lithgow in funny roles but he twist his funny side for this dramatic 1988 movie called "distant thunder" and Ralph macchio plays his long lost son that he didnt even kne he had after lithgow comes back from vietnam with his troubled godawfull nam memoris. I highly recommend.

A Fair Portrayal.......2006-05-22

As a registered nurse on a VA psych unit that has an in-patient PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) unit, I have to say this film does a pretty good job of portraying the extreme end of the spectrum of veterans who returned from Vietnam. Most civilians can't begin to understand how difficult it was for veterans to be trained and then expected to kill without remorse, expected to withstand the trauma of fearing death on a daily basis, and seeing death on a daily basis, especially of friends, of men they knew. Trying to live a normal life when they could not live with the guilt of having taken life, with the guilt of having survived when others they were close to did not, was often impossible for many surviving vets. Add to that the treatment many received when they returned home, being reviled and spat upon, and you have a recipe for alienation and dysfunction. It took almost thirty years for society - and the VA - to realize these men needed the help that PTSD programs (too few) across the country provide.

Lithgow's character attempts to "come out of the cold", to reintegrate into society, and finds it more difficult than he can bear. He is unable to deal with his son's need to understand, however, when his buddies in "the bush" turn violent in response to an intrusion into their territory, he finds the resources to cope, to do what needs to be done, but then crumbles under his load of guilt. When his son refuses to let him take his own life without his son dying as well, he is forced to make a choice. The film ends with an indication that he has taken a step back into the World, and has made enough of a connection with his son to continue to re-engage. All in all, a pretty fair story.

A Viewer.......2001-06-10

I strongly disagree with the common perception of people's opinion with this film. To me, this about a psychological side to the "Rambos," and other one man army type soldiers of war. It shows how deeply troubled they are with the world, and other dilemmas that have occurred with their private lives. I think this story is more of a tale between a son with a father who is mentally ill. I think the Vietnam War is just a story that occurred and had a part of the drama. It's something that just makes this man more interesting in his character. The fact that he was a former Navy Seal unfortunately makes him much more dangerous to the rest of society

I think people dislike films like this the most because they feel uncomfortable being in the face of mental illness. I assume it's much more comfortable for them to turn their back.

Lithgow is great the film... is not.......2000-09-27

John Lithgow gives a good performance in this highly rehashed film. It is not new or refreshing.. it is a typical 'nam movie. If you are a die hard Lithgow fan I would suggest watching some third rock from the sun re runs no one should be subjected to this schlock/

Average customer rating:

Incredibly moving and provocative!
A Must See - And Believe !
More than thought provoking
Exceptional

A Distant Thunder
Starring: Deborah Flora; Peter Renaday and Selah Victor
Director: Jonathan Flora
Manufacturer: Vision Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Therese
I Am David
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
A Thief in the Night
Beyond the Gates of Splendor

ASIN: B000BT030M
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Product Description

Things are not always as they seem... especially when entering the halls of a desperate mind in this gripping supernatural thriller. Struggling to keep her fragile sanity from unraveling, Prosecutor Ann Brown is offered a murder case that will challenge everything she believes to be true. Uncertain at first whether to accept the assignment, a harrowing encounter with Defense Attorney Tom Condan convinces her to meet the challenge. The deeper she investigates, reality and tormenting delusions collide as she encounters an evil force as unnerving as it is foreboding. In this award-winning movie, terrifying secrets are exposed, and you'll discover the shocking twist which reveals the chilling and unforeseeable truth. THIS SPECIAL EDITION DVD CONTAINS: Original Version (parental discretion advised for pre-teens) & Edited Version Spanish Language Version "A Conversation with the Filmmakers" featurette "A Conversation with the Experts" featurette Commentary with Writer/Director Jonathan Flora-Commentary with cast: Deborah Flora, Peter Renaday and Selah Victor "Behind the Thunder" -- The Making of A DISTANT THUNDER Trailer

Customer Reviews:

Incredibly moving and provocative!.......2006-10-21

This is a short but powerful film about a legal case involving partial-birth abortion. Very well made and suberbly acted, this movie easily stands up to anything produced by mainstream Hollywood. Though genuinely apolitical, the film forces the viewer to consider their own views about the horror of partial-birth abortion in a very meaningful way. It may be helpful to view it more than once or to see it in a group and discuss it afterwards, as subtleties may be missed the first time around. It's no surprise that many people have never even heard, let alone seen this film. But I would bet that anyone who does, cannot help but be moved.
I would not recommend to most children under the age of 15, as some scenes are intense and may be frightening, however, I would not hesitate to encourage any high school or college-age student to watch, especially as it is likely to spur discussion.

A Must See - And Believe !.......2006-06-04

This is one of the most moving (and frightening) films you may ever see. In a mere 35 minutes it cuts through the political rhetoric, shows you what the Planned Parenthood crowd keeps so secret, and goes to the heart of the matter - morality in our country, our courts, and in our own lives.

Jonathan Flora (writer, director, and cameo performer) and wife, Deborah Flora (Ann Brown), two of the finest Chriatians I have ever met, bypassed the leftist Hollywood establishment to produce this film on their own. Not only does this speak for their courage, but it gives reason for hope that once again we can become a nation that respects not just the lives of some, but of all.

You will love the surprise ending!

More than thought provoking.......2006-04-21

My sister-in-law recommended this film to me. It's laced with brilliant subtle dialogue and sci-fi effects, while building to a very thought-provoking climax. It's one of those films I had to watch again to get the clue-filled conversations. I have fun convincing my friends to watch it without revealing the underlying message. I recommend with whole heart.

Exceptional.......2006-02-02

A legal thriller that handles a politically divisive subject well. Better-funded than most "independent" "Christian" films, this is a must-see for all thinking Americans. If by end of the first act you aren't sure where you stand on partial-birth abortion, check yourself again during the end credits. You may be surprised to find you see the issue more clearly than before, and without the spin of politics. Where you find "right and left", there is also and always "right or wrong". Right or Wrong should be what inspires you in life.

Nature Lounge - Nature and Music Meditation, 4-CD Box Set

Average customer rating:

Nature Lounge - Nature and Music Meditation, 4-CD Box Set

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Tropical Rainforest Awakenings Distant Thunder Ocean Voyages

Average customer rating:

My mental health was damaged as a kid by this movie
Hard to find movie in great shape. "Distant Thunder"
A Very Effective Sequel To "Thief In The Night".
Abysmal but not as bad as the first one
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to church...

A Distant Thunder
Starring: Patty Dunning , Sally Johnson , Sandy Christen , Thom Rachford , and Maryann Rachford
Director: Donald W. Thompson
Manufacturer: Russ Doughten Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Prodigal Planet
Image of the Beast
A Thief in the Night
Image of the Beast
End of the Harvest

ASIN: B00006JDTM
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Customer Reviews:

My mental health was damaged as a kid by this movie.......2007-03-01

A Baptist babysitter took me to her church meeting without my parents' permission when I was 8 (1979) and this film was showed. I was scared out of my wits. Shortly after this I began to have extremely disturbing religious nightmares to the point that I had to start seeing a child psychologist.

I don't know what it's like to watch it as an adult, but children should NOT be allowed to watch this movie. And any church which is okay with showing it to children should be sued for spiritual/mental abuse... just like Catholic priests are being sued for sexual abuse of children.

Hard to find movie in great shape. "Distant Thunder".......2007-02-20

This is a real good VHS tape in real good condition. The title is getting real hard to find. the seller was excellent and very prompt in delivery.

A Very Effective Sequel To "Thief In The Night"........2007-01-15

Sometimes, when a movie is successful, one feels they need to make a sequel to it. At times, that sequel is worth it, and it is so in this case.

Have you seen the first movie yet? If not, please immediately stop reading this review, and go see the first movie. The first has its effective moments and ending, and reading this review might spoil it.

This picture picks up where the former left off. There are some tributes to the original, such as Patti stealing the bad guys' van, but it is not a formula picture as many sequels do.

Again, this movie is taken from a pre-millennial, pre-tribulational view. This means that Jesus will return after seven years of tribulation to set up His kingdom on earth, and the church will be raptured before the seven years start.

There is some creative directing in this movie. And the end is just as thrilling as it is in the original.

Abysmal but not as bad as the first one.......2006-03-28

This is a terrible film,mainly as it has the same wooden cast as the first film. It is of course like the rest in the series christian fundie scare tactics/propaganda & as such should be treated with contempt.I thought the colour scheme of the UNITE vans in the first films was better.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to church..........2005-12-06

A Distant Thunder is the second in a series of four low-budget suspense films made in the 70s by fundamentalist Christians in an attempt to scare people into accepting Jesus. Its subject matter is the mainstream protestant interpretation of biblical prophecies about the Earth's last days. This one is by far the best and the creepiest in the series, but keep in mind that I am using the word "best" very loosely here. The only reason I am a fan of these films is because they played a very significant role in my ridiculous upbringing. Those people who were not raised in radical fundie households will most likely think that this movie is stupid, which is understandable. Still though, this series was much MUCH better than the more recent Left Behind movies, if that's any sort of recommendation.

In order to get some perspective on the thrilling experience that is A Distant Thunder, imagine a long Brady Bunch episode set in a totalitarian state and filled with some godawful acting. Now add a good hearty dose of Christian Fundamentalist dogma, the urban paranoia of Rosemary's Baby, and a few beheadings and, BINGO!, you've got A Distant Thunder! If this sounds like your idea of fun, but would prefer to hang on to your money, HigherPraise dot com graciously allows you to download and view this movie (along with A Thief in the Night and The Image of the Beast) free of charge. Hallelujah!

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