Rent Thunder Bay (1953)

Storming - Thunder Bay review by sb

FILM & REVIEW Another Jimmy Stewart/Anthony Mann collaboration but this time not a Western. Stewart plays Steve Martin who is convinced he can find oil off the coast of Louisiana - by a mixture of vision and hucksterism he persuades oilman Macdonald (Flipping) to back him and Martin and his partner Gambi (Duryea) set off in pursuit of glory. At first the local fishermen are supportive as the cash is flashed but when they realise he is using dynamite to take readings which will destroy the shrimp and crab beds they make their living from attitudes harden. To complicate matters the local head fisherman has two betrothed daughters but both Marin and Gambi muscle in so things are set for a confrontation. It’s a cracking story and quite contemporary where big oil is on a collision course with traditional industry. Stewart gives one his finest performances - a man driven to the point of obsession who will ride roughshod over everyone and everything to get what he wants. it’s a measure of just how good he is that you still root for him to succeed.. You also get the feeling that Daniel Day Lewis has seen this as the character has more than a germ of Plainview about him. Add in some terrific set pieces -a fight during a hurricane is especially effective and you have a really top film - 4/5