Distant Thunder (1988 film)

Distant Thunder is a 1988 American drama film directed by Rick Rosenthal and starring John Lithgow and Ralph Macchio.

Plot
The film tells the story of a troubled ex-Navy SEAL and Vietnam War veteran Mark Lambert (John Lithgow), who, upon returning home from the war, alienates his wife and child by deserting them and moving away into the remote wilderness of Washington state.

After 10 years of living off the land and suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, Mark decides to rejoin civilized society and finds his now teenage son Jack (Ralph Macchio), who is living in Illinois. As an estranged father and recluse, Mark quickly finds himself unprepared for the changes that he must face.

Cast

 * John Lithgow as Mark Lambert
 * Ralph Macchio as Jack Lambert
 * Kerrie Keane as Char
 * Reb Brown as Harvey Nitz
 * Janet Margolin as Barbara Lambert
 * Denis Arndt as Larry
 * Jamey Sheridan as Moss
 * Tom Bower as Louis
 * John Kelly as Andy
 * Michael Currie as Coach Swabey
 * Hilary Strang as Jane
 * Robyn Stevan as Holly
 * David Longworth as Sheriff
 * Gordon Currie as Billy Watson
 * Walter Marsh as The Principal
 * Allan Lysell as Buddy
 * Kate Robbins as The Waitress
 * David Glyn-Jones as The Waiter
 * Denalda Williams as Jeanette

Reception
The film received mixed reviews from movie critics. Roger Ebert commenting on this film said "Lithgow's performance is at the heart of the movie, and at the heart of his work is the way he smokes a cigarette or avoids looking anyone in the eye."

Box office
The movie was a box-office flop with a total revenue of barely $150,000 for a $8 million budget.