Citizendia
Your Ad Here

This article is about the film. For other uses, see Easy Rider (disambiguation).
Easy Rider

Original movie poster
Directed by Dennis Hopper
Produced by Peter Fonda
William Hayward
Bert Schneider
Written by Peter Fonda
Dennis Hopper
Terry Southern
Starring Peter Fonda
Dennis Hopper
Jack Nicholson
Luke Askew
Karen Black
Music by Roger McGuinn
Cinematography Laszlo Kovacs
Editing by Donn Cambern
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date(s) July 14, 1969
Running time 94 min. Dennis Lee Hopper (born May 17, 1936) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor and Film -maker Peter Henry Fonda (born February 23[[ 940]] is an American actor William Hayward (b August 31, 1815 in Hopkinton Massachusetts; d Berton "Bert" Schneider is an American Movie producer, who was behind a number of important and topical films of the late-1960s and early-1970s Peter Henry Fonda (born February 23[[ 940]] is an American actor Dennis Lee Hopper (born May 17, 1936) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor and Film -maker Terry Southern ( May 1, 1924 &ndash October 29, 1995) was a highly influential American short story writer novelist essayist screenwriter Peter Henry Fonda (born February 23[[ 940]] is an American actor Dennis Lee Hopper (born May 17, 1936) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor and Film -maker John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22 1937) is an American Actor, internationally renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals Luke Askew (born in Macon Georgia, US) is an American Actor most noted for his role in the 1969 film Easy Rider. Karen Black (born July 1, 1939) is an American actress, Screenwriter, Singer and Songwriter. James Roger McGuinn (known professionally as Roger McGuinn, previously as Jim McGuinn, and born James Joseph McGuinn III on July 13, László Kovács, ASC ( May 14, 1933 &ndash July 22, 2007) was a Cinematographer, most famous for his award-winning work on Donn Cambern (born October 29 1929) is an Academy Award nominated film editor }} Columbia Pictures Industries Inc is an American Film production and distribution company Events 1223 - Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father Philip II of France. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Country USA
Language English
Budget $340,000-400,000
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Easy Rider, a 1969 road movie written by Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Terry Southern, depicts two bikers who travel through the American Southwest and South and experience its land and people. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The year 1969 in film involved some significant events Events Cannes Film Festival opens but closes in support A road film is a Film genre in which the film's plot takes place during a journey Peter Henry Fonda (born February 23[[ 940]] is an American actor Dennis Lee Hopper (born May 17, 1936) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor and Film -maker Terry Southern ( May 1, 1924 &ndash October 29, 1995) was a highly influential American short story writer novelist essayist screenwriter The Southwestern area of the United States could be defined as the states west of the Mississippi River, with the qualification of a certain northern limit such as the 37 The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive The movie stars Fonda, Hopper, and Jack Nicholson and was produced by Fonda and directed by Hopper. John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22 1937) is an American Actor, internationally renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals

Contents

Synopsis

The protagonists are two bikers named Wyatt, nicknamed 'Captain America' (Fonda), and Billy (Hopper). Wyatt dresses in American flag-adorned leather, while Billy dresses in Native American-style buckskin pants and shirts and a bushman hat. Flags of the United States The Flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of Red (top and bottom alternating Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States

"Connection" (Phil Spector) checks the quality of the cocaine
"Connection" (Phil Spector) checks the quality of the cocaine

After smuggling drugs from Mexico to Los Angeles, Wyatt and Billy sell it to a man (played by Phil Spector) in a Rolls-Royce, in exchange for a large amount of cash. Harvey Philip Spector (born December 26 1940) is an American Record producer and Songwriter. A drug, broadly speaking is any chemical substance that when absorbed into the body The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Harvey Philip Spector (born December 26 1940) is an American Record producer and Songwriter. With this money stuffed into the Stars&Stripes-clad fuel tank of Wyatt's California style chopper, and after a symbolic scene of Wyatt throwing away his watch, they ride eastward in an attempt to reach New Orleans, Louisiana in time for Mardi Gras. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. A chopper is a radically customized Motorcycle, archetypal examples of which are the customized Harley-Davidsons seen in the 1969 New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana See also Mardi Gras Mardi Gras in New Orleans Louisiana is one of the most famous Carnival celebrations in the world

During their trip they pick up a hitch-hiker (Luke Askew) and agree to take him to the commune he is living in. Hitchhiker Program Hitchhiking (also known as thumbing, hitching, autostop or thumbing up a ride) is a means of Transportation Luke Askew (born in Macon Georgia, US) is an American Actor most noted for his role in the 1969 film Easy Rider. A commune is an Intentional community of people living together sharing common interests Property, possessions Resources, work and Income They stay for a few days. Life in the commune appears to be hard, with hippies from the city finding it difficult to grow their own crops (one of the children seen in the commune is played by Fonda's four-year-old daughter Bridget. The Hippie Subculture was originally a Youth movement that began in the United States during the early 1960s and spread around the world A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Bridget Jane Fonda (born January 27, 1964) is an Emmy - and Golden Globe Award -nominated American actress. ) At one point the bikers witness a prayer for blessing of the new crop, as put by a communard: A chance "to make a stand", and to plant "simple food, for a simple taste. Prayer is the act of attempting to communicate with a Deity or spirit " The commune is also host to a traveling theater group that "sings for its supper" (performs for food). Theatre (or theater, see spelling differences) is the branch of the Performing arts defined by Bernard Beckerman as what "occurs when one The notion of "free love" appears to be practiced, with two women seemingly sharing the affections of the hitch-hiking communard, and who then turn their attention to Wyatt and Billy. As Wyatt and Billy leave, the hitch-hiker (known only as "Stranger on highway" in the credits) gives Wyatt some LSD for him to share with "the right people. "

George Hanson (Jack Nicholson) with Wyatt (Peter Fonda)
George Hanson (Jack Nicholson) with Wyatt (Peter Fonda)

While jokingly riding along with a parade in a small town, the pair are arrested by the local authorities for "parading without a permit. John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22 1937) is an American Actor, internationally renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals Peter Henry Fonda (born February 23[[ 940]] is an American actor " In jail, they befriend alcoholic ACLU lawyer George Hanson (played by Jack Nicholson). Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions The American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU) consists of two separate Non-profit organizations the ACLU Foundation a 501(c(3 organization which focuses John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22 1937) is an American Actor, internationally renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals George helps them get out of jail and decides to travel with Wyatt and Billy. As they camp that night, Wyatt and Billy introduce George to marijuana. Cannabis, also known as marijuana or marihuana, or ganja (from Hindi / Sanskrit: गांजा gānjā hemp) is a As an alcoholic and a square, George is reluctant to try the marijuana ("It leads to harder stuff"), but he quickly relents. Square used as slang may mean many things when referring to a person or it may refer to a Cigarette.

While attempting to eat in a Louisiana restaurant, the trio's appearance attracts the attention of the locals. Pointe Coupee Parish, pronounced "Pwent Koo-Pay" and (pronounced "Point Coo-Pea" in English) (Paroisse de la Pointe-Coupée is a Parish The local high school girls in the restaurant want to meet the men and ride with them; the local men and police officer threaten and verbally abuse the riders. High school is the name used in some parts of the world (in particular Scotland, North America and Australia) to describe an institution One of the men even states, "They won't even make the parish line". A parish is a Local church; it is an administrative unit typically found in episcopal or presbyterian churches Wyatt, Billy and George leave without eating and make camp outside of town. The events of the day cause George to comment: "This used to be a hell of a good country. I can't understand what's gone wrong with it. "

In the middle of the night, the local men return and brutally beat the trio while they sleep. Wyatt and Billy suffer minor injuries, but George is killed by a machete strike to the neck. The machete (məˈʃɛti is a large cleaver -like cutting tool Wyatt and Billy wrap George up in his sleeping bag, gather his belongings, and vow to return the items to his parents.

Wyatt (Peter Fonda), Mary (Toni Basil), Billy (Dennis Hopper) and Karen (Karen Black) [right] wandering the streets of a parade-filled New Orleans. This part of the film was shot in 16mm.
Wyatt (Peter Fonda), Mary (Toni Basil), Billy (Dennis Hopper) and Karen (Karen Black) [right] wandering the streets of a parade-filled New Orleans. Peter Henry Fonda (born February 23[[ 940]] is an American actor Toni Basil (born Antonia Christina Basilotta; September 22 1943) is an American Musician, video Artist, Dennis Lee Hopper (born May 17, 1936) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor and Film -maker Karen Black (born July 1, 1939) is an American actress, Screenwriter, Singer and Songwriter. This part of the film was shot in 16mm.

They continue to New Orleans and find the brothel which had been recommended by George. For the 2008 film of this name see The Brothel. For the television series of this name see Cathouse The Series. Taking two prostitutes, Karen (Karen Black) and Mary (Toni Basil), with them, Wyatt and Billy decide to go outside where the Mardi Gras is going on (see image at right). Karen Black (born July 1, 1939) is an American actress, Screenwriter, Singer and Songwriter. Toni Basil (born Antonia Christina Basilotta; September 22 1943) is an American Musician, video Artist, " Mardi Gras " ( French for Fat Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday. They wander the parade-filled streets of New Orleans. They end up in a cemetery, where all four ingest LSD. They all experience a psychedelic trip, represented through quick edits, sound effects and over-exposed film. Modern psychedelia For "psychedelics" see Psychedelic drug.

In the end, though Billy remains oblivious, Wyatt declares: "You know Billy, we blew it". Wyatt realizes that their search for freedom, while financially successful, was a spiritual failure. The next morning, the two are continuing their trip to Florida (where they hope to retire wealthy) when two locals in a pickup truck (who have a shotgun in their belongings) spot them, and decide to "give them a scare". As they pull alongside Billy and shout at him, he makes an obscene gesture at them. Incensed by this, one of the men takes the shotgun, and shoots at and hits Billy. Wyatt immediately turns around to see his friend crashed and bleeding on the side of the road. Wyatt hops on his bike, hoping to get help for his friend. By then, the men in the truck have turned around. When they see Wyatt speeding towards them on his bike, without a weapon, the redneck in the passenger seat aims at Wyatt and shoots. The shot hits the gas tank of Wyatt's bike, causing it to explode. The explosion not only kills Wyatt, but also destroys the money - which was what they had staked their life on. From the flaming bike on the side of the road, the camera ascends towards the sky, and the duo's journey "looking for America" ends once and for all.

Production

Production began in the spring of 1968 with the Mardi Gras scenes, which were shot on 16mm as a test. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. " Mardi Gras " ( French for Fat Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday. Hopper and Fonda were given $40,000 by Raybert Productions to shoot the test scenes, and if the scenes 'passed', the project would continue. Raybert Productions was a 1960s Production company, founded by Robert (Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider. However, Fonda got the carnival date wrong; discovering he only had a week to prepare when he had thought he would have a month, Hopper scrambled to find 16mm cameras and quickly assemble a fairly informal, makeshift crew. " Mardi Gras " ( French for Fat Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday. [1] The 16mm test material appears in the final film, and includes the Mardi Gras parade and cemetery scenes. A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried.

While shooting the cemetery scene, Hopper tried to convince Fonda to talk to the statue of the Madonna as though it were Fonda's mother (who had committed suicide when he was 10 years old) and ask her why she left him. A statue is a Sculpture in the round representing a person or persons an animal or an event normally full-length as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size Frances Ford Seymour ( April 14, 1908 – April 14 1950) was a New York City Socialite, the second wife of actor Henry Although Fonda was reluctant, he eventually complied. Later on, he used this scene as leverage to persuade Bob Dylan to allow the use of "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)". Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, May 24 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter author poet and painter who has been a major " It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding " is a song by Bob Dylan.

Dennis Hopper used several Louisiana locals to add authenticity to the film. Here David C. Billodeau and Johnny David appear in their only film role.
Dennis Hopper used several Louisiana locals to add authenticity to the film. The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America Here David C. Billodeau and Johnny David appear in their only film role.

During the test shooting, Hopper, legendary at the time for his drug excesses and paranoia, tyrannized the crew so much that everyone quit. At one point he entered into a physical confrontation with photographer Barry Feinstein, who was one of the camera operators for the shoot. After the turmoil in New Orleans, Hopper and Fonda decided to assemble a proper crew for the rest of the film. [2]

According to Terry Southern's biographer, Lee Hill, the part of George Hanson had been written for Southern's friend, actor Rip Torn. Rip Torn (born February 6, 1931) is an American Television and Film Actor, who is perhaps best known for his role as Artie When Torn met with Hopper and Fonda at a New York restaurant in early 1968 to discuss the role, Hopper began ranting about the "rednecks" he had encountered on his scouting trip to the South. Torn, a Texan, took exception to some of Hopper's remarks, and the two almost came to blows, as a result of which Torn withdrew from the project and had to be replaced by Jack Nicholson. In 1994, Hopper was interviewed about Easy Rider by Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, and during the interview, he alleged that Torn had pulled a knife on him during the altercation, prompting Torn to successfully sue Hopper for defamation. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno is an Emmy Award -winning American late-night Talk show currently hosted by Jay Leno, on

The hippie commune had to be recreated and shot near Mulholland Drive in the hills north of Los Angeles, as the original Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico commune near Taos did not permit shooting there. Mulholland Drive is a very well-known (due to its proximity to Hollywood) road in Los Angeles, California named after engineer William Mulholland Arroyo Hondo is a small unincorporated town in Taos County near Taos, New Mexico, United States. Taos (ˈtaʊs is a town in Taos County in the north-central region of New Mexico.

The restaurant scenes with Fonda, Hopper and Nicholson were shot in Morganza, Louisiana. Morganza is an incorporated village near the Mississippi River in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, United States. The men and girls in that scene were all Morganza locals. In order to incite more vitriolic commentary from the local men, Hopper told them to play the scene as if Billy, Wyatt, and George had raped a girl outside of town. The scene in which both Captain America and Billy were shot was filmed on Highway 105 North just outside of Krotz Springs, Louisiana, and the two men in the scene were Krotz Springs locals. Krotz Springs is a Town in St Landry Parish, Louisiana on the Atchafalaya River.

Cast

Peter Fonda . Peter Henry Fonda (born February 23[[ 940]] is an American actor . . Wyatt
Dennis Hopper . Dennis Lee Hopper (born May 17, 1936) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor and Film -maker . . Billy
Jack Nicholson . John Joseph "Jack" Nicholson (born April 22 1937) is an American Actor, internationally renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals . . George Hanson
Antonio Mendoza . . . Jesus
Phil Spector . Harvey Philip Spector (born December 26 1940) is an American Record producer and Songwriter. . . Connection
Mac Mashourian . . . Bodyguard
Warren Finnerty . . . Rancher
Tita Colorado . . . Rancher's Wife
Luke Askew . Luke Askew (born in Macon Georgia, US) is an American Actor most noted for his role in the 1969 film Easy Rider. . . Stranger on Highway
Luana Anders . . . Lisa
Sabrina Scharf . . . Sarah
Robert Walker Jr. . Robert Hudson Walker Jr (born 15 April 1940) is an American Actor. . . Jack (billed as Robert Walker)
Sandy Brown Wyeth . . . Joanne (billed as Sandy Wyeth)
Robert Ball . . . Mime #1
Carmen Phillips . . . Mime #2
Ellie Wood Walker . . . Mime #3 (as Ellie Walker)

Responses

Despite being filmed in the first half of 1968, between Mardi Gras and the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, the film did not have a US premiere until July of 1969. Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. See also Mardi Gras Mardi Gras in New Orleans Louisiana is one of the most famous Carnival celebrations in the world Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy (November 20 1925 – June 6 1968 also called RFK, was the United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 and a The word premiere (or première, from the French première, "first" generally means "a first performance" Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Along with Bonnie and Clyde and The Graduate, Easy Rider helped kick-start the New Hollywood phase during the late sixties and early seventies. Bonnie and Clyde is a American Crime film about Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the bank robbers who operated in the Central United States The Graduate is a American comedy / drama / Romance film directed by Mike Nichols, based on the novel of the same name by New Hollywood or post- classical Hollywood, sometimes referred to as the "American New Wave" refers to the brief time between roughly the mid- 1960s ( The major studios realised that money could be made from low-budget films made by avant-garde directors. Avant-garde (avɑ̃gaʁd in French) means "advance guard" or "vanguard Heavily influenced by the French New Wave, the films of the so-called "post-classical Hollywood" came to represent a generation increasingly disillusioned with their government and the world. "Nouvelle Vague" redirects here For the music group of the same name see Nouvelle Vague (band.

Awards

Hopper received the First Film Award (Prix de la premiere oeuvre) at the 1969 Cannes Film Festival. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Cannes Film Festival (le Festival de Cannes founded in 1946 is one of the world's oldest most influential and prestigious Film festivals alongside Venice, At the Academy Awards, Jack Nicholson was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and the film was also nominated for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts The Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay is the Academy Award for the best script not based upon previously published material

The film appears at number 88 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Years, 100 Movies. The American Film Institute ( AFI) is an independent Non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 The American Film Institute, celebrating the 100th anniversary of American film created several top 100 lists covering movies in American cinema In 1998, Easy Rider was added to the United States National Film Registry, having been deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. The National Film Registry is the registry of Films selected by the United States National Film Preservation Board for preservation in the Library of "

Popular culture references

Music

The Stranger gives Wyatt some LSD to take "When you get to the right place with the right people".
The Stranger gives Wyatt some LSD to take "When you get to the right place with the right people".
Main article: Easy Rider (soundtrack)

Both The Band and Crosby, Stills, & Nash (CSN) were considered for the soundtrack. Easy Rider is the Soundtrack to the Cult classic 1969 film Easy Rider, a film often remembered for its epic late 1960s Rock The Band was a rock group active from 1967 to 1976 and again from 1983 to 1999 Crosby Stills & Nash ( CSN) is a Folk rock / rock supergroup made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash However, during editing, Hopper used various music from his own record collection. When CSN viewed a rough cut of the film, they assured Hopper that they could not do any better than he already had.

Bob Dylan was asked to contribute music, but was reluctant to use his own recording of "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)", so a version performed by Byrds frontman Roger McGuinn was used instead. Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, May 24 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter author poet and painter who has been a major " It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding " is a song by Bob Dylan. The Byrds were a popular American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964 James Roger McGuinn (known professionally as Roger McGuinn, previously as Jim McGuinn, and born James Joseph McGuinn III on July 13, Also, instead of writing an entirely new song for the film, Dylan simply wrote out the first verse of “Ballad of Easy Rider” and told the filmmakers, “Give this to McGuinn, he’ll know what to do with it. ” McGuinn completed the song and performed it in the film.

Trivia

Notable quotes

In New Orleans, Billy buys the services of Karen (Karen Black), a prostitute
In New Orleans, Billy buys the services of Karen (Karen Black), a prostitute

References

  1. ^ Easy Riders, Raging Bulls by Peter Biskind). Easy Riders Raging Bulls How the Sex-Drugs-And Rock 'N Roll Generation Saved Hollywood is a book written by Peter Biskind and published by Simon and Schuster Peter Biskind is a journalist former executive editor of Premiere magazine and the author of numerous books depicting life in Hollywood, including
  2. ^ Easy Rider: Shaking the Cage at the Internet Movie Database. A Making-of documentary.
  3. ^ Biography of Mike Doonesbury, Doonesbury@Slate. com. Retrieved June 21, 2007.

See also

External links

The American Dream is Belief in the Freedom that allows all citizens and residents of the United States to achieve their goals The Hippie Subculture was originally a Youth movement that began in the United States during the early 1960s and spread around the world Method acting is an Acting technique in which Actors try to replicate real life emotional conditions under which the character operates in an effort to create a life-like
© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic