Thunder Road
- APPROVED
- Year:
- 1958
- 92 min
- 1,780 Views
Each year, the millions of gallons | of illegal whisky
manufactured | in the south-eastern United States
represents millions of dollars in taxes | lost to the American people.
The A & TTU, in their continuing | service to their country,
have within one year captured | over 10,000 stills
and impounded over 3,000 of the powerful | vehicles used by the transporters -
those wild and reckless men | who transport illegal whisky
from its source to its point of distribution.
This is the story of a transporter | and his opposite number -
- Raider One calling Raider Base. | - Go ahead, Raider One.
This one's gone on. | Lost him and he's loaded.
He's driving a 1950 Ford two-door coupe. | He's got a racing mill under his hood.
- What licence? | - Never mind that.
I'll bring you his plate - | it's hanging on our car.
- The kingpin again? | - That's right. A real stampeder.
Over and out.
His luck can't hold out forever.
Yeah, Mike. We got time on our side. | Let's head back to the barn.
Oh, let me tell the story
I can tell it all
About the whippoorwill | who ran illegal alcohol
His daddy made the whisky
The son he drove the load
And when his engine roared | they called the highway Thunder Road
Sometimes into Asheville
Sometimes Memphis town
The Revenuers chased him, | but they couldn't run him down
Each time they thought they had him, | his engine would explode
And he'd go by like they | were standing still on Thunder Road
Thunder, Thunder | Over Thunder Road
Thunder was his engine | and white lightning was his load
Moonshine, moonshine | To quench the devil's thirst
The law they never got him
Cos the devil got him first
- You got a new car. | - Repaint job.
- Hi, Robin. | - Hi, Roxy.
New bumper. | Must have been a close one.
It was pretty close.
That was a good idea of yours | putting that drop lever on.
There's a Treasury agent | with three bumpers hanging on his car.
- Whose car is that? Niles Penland? | - He brought some stuff up for Mom.
- Coming to the dance tomorrow, Luke? | - Not tomorrow. I'll be in Memphis.
- But Robin will keep you company. | - You have to high-speed 'em?
Yeah. I pushed her hard, | so look everything over good.
That right rear tyre's frayed. | Change that. Keep a list.
Don't fuss. I reckon I know | as much about this car as you do.
You know more about it, | but I have to sit in it.
- How's your papa, Niles? | - He's still got the misery in his legs.
I think it's that poison-oak salve | he's been using.
- Hi, Luke. How's it going? | - Pretty fair.
- You loaded? | - Yeah. For Knoxville.
How about giving Roxy a tote back?
Lt'd be a purdee pleasure. Come on, Roxy.
You take it easy, Niles.
Watch him, Roxy. | You gotta watch him every minute.
- Where's Papa? | - Up the hill.
Why don't you buy yourself | some new clothes, Ma?
You don't have to dress | like you're going to a funeral.
The money you make | might as well be counterfeit.
If I buy anything I'd like to, | the news'll be all round.
Somebody will ask me where I got it. | You know that.
Co on and get some sleep.
I have to make it real early in the morning. | If I'm not up by six, give me a shake.
Robin.
Cood food, good meat, | it's getting late, let's eat.
Now get up and do it right.
Heavenly Father, we thank thee | for the gifts we are about to receive.
Yes? This is her.
What?
Thank you for calling, Roxanna.
Niles Penland was ambushed and killed | last night outside of Knoxville.
Poor Mr Penland. He worshipped that boy.
You think the Revenuers | have started that kind of stuff?
No, they wouldn't do it. Never have.
I'd better go up and talk to Papa.
Son.
Hey, Papa.
- Well, son? | - Niles Penland finally bought it last night.
Cot ambushed and killed | down on the Knoxville road.
So it begins.
Seen a corpse bird yesterday.
First one I seen in years. | Knew it was an ill omen.
I peg the guilt squarely on Mr Kogan.
Exactly who is this Kogan fellow, Papa?
Oh, Mr Kogan is a man with a big idea.
Wants to combine all the stills | in the valley, take all our makings.
Claims he's got territory round Memphis | and north Tennessee wrapped up now.
Says he'll guarantee us 4,000 a week.
You go on driving, you get the same pay | as you do now - maybe more.
Well, he's free with his money.
Maybe not so free either.
When he pays, he knows all the stills, | our stash locations, the retailers.
He come prepared. Seemed to know who | the folks were making moon around here.
After he left me, he talked to the Penlands, | Buchanans, the Couges.
Like me, they all said they'd let him know.
- What do you make of it? | - It's a shade harder than what I think.
Turning into the same rimption | they had in Phoenix City.
I don't think we oughta mess | with Mr Kogan's proposition.
You might be right.
While I draw this fleeting breath
When my eyes shall close in death
When I rise to worlds unknown
See thee on thy judgment throne
Rock of ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in thee
Let us pray.
I ask your blessings | on all these sinful sheep
who are gathered under your roof today | to worship thee.
And, Lord, be merciful | to one of our recent departed ones -
Niles Penland, son of Jessie Penland.
And, O Lord, | bless the men of this congregation
who were unable to attend | because of pressing business. Amen.
Amen.
And now let's sing hymn 297.
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"Thunder Road" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 2 May 2024. <https://www.scripts.com/script/thunder_road_21873>.
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