Shaft Thunder Road

As the lead in Shaft, Richard Roundtree helped define the image of the African American male after the civil rights movement. Thunder Road is an ode to hot rods, moonshine, and Appalachian family values. The ultimate Blaxploitation hero! As the lead in Shaft, Richard Roundtree helped define the image of the African American male after the civil rights movement--"Hotter than Bond, Cooler than Bullitt," as a contemporary tagline claimed. (Gordon Parks, 1971; 100 mins.)

An ode to hot rods, moonshine, and Appalachian family values, Thunder Road not only stars the iconic Robert Mitchum but is based on a story he wrote. Mitchum also produced the film, cast his son in a supporting role, and wrote and recorded the title song. (Arthur Ripley, 1958; 92 mins.)