Easy Rider (Special Edition) (DVD)

Easy Rider (Special Edition) (DVD) > Reviews > Easy movie, easy soundrack, not so easy to watch

Production Year: 1969 - Action/Adventure - Director: Dennis Hopper - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Robert Walker, Luke Askew, Sabrina Scharf, Warren Finnerty, Phil Spector more

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A landmark in film history, EASY RIDER blew the studio doors open for more young directors than any film before or since, helping to create the wide-open climate that would lead to...
more...the production of many outstanding films in the 1970s. As its director, Dennis Hopper is usually given the lion's share of credit for the film's success, but the revelations of time suggest that the contributions of the late Terry Southern and, to some degree, Jack Nicholson have endowed the film with much of its residual power. Starring Peter Fonda as Wyatt (alias Captain America) and Hopper as Billy, it traces the hippie duo's adventures as they mount their seriously chopped hogs on a journey to find the real America en route to Mardi Gras. In Arizona, they visit a commune whose members seem to be having a tough time, and in a small Texas town they're jailed for joining a parade. But they're quickly sprung by an ACLU lawyer, the quirky, hard-drinking George Hanson (Jack Nicholson), who accepts their offer to join them on the trip to New Orleans, eager to visit the best whorehouse in the South. Although parts of the film now seem dated and some of the language seems quaint, the tensions and hostilities of the period are accurately reflected, Laszlo Kovacs's photography is superb, and Nicholson is exceptional in his breakthrough role.





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Easy movie, easy soundrack, not so easy to watch
A review by josieposiepoo on Easy Rider (Special Edition) (DVD)
April 21st, 2005


Author's product rating:   Easy Rider (Special Edition) (DVD) - rated by josieposiepoo

Did you enjoy it? Loved it 
Story Satisfactory 
Characters / Performances Satisfactory 
Special Effects Unmemorable 
Soundtrack Outstanding 

Advantages: Brilliant soundtrack .
Disadvantages: Not for the faint hearted .

Recommend to potential buyers: yes 

Full review
When Dennis Hopper directed this film, he was greatly drugged a boozed up, and this is greatly shown in the movie. The 1st cut for this ,made by Hopper, was 4 and a half hours long! Although Hopper was very violent at the time luckily Bert Schnieder, the producer, had the charisma to persude him to go on holiday. Now we see an alot shorter version, which is lucky because at times this film starts to drag on a bit.

The film tells the journey of two somewhat strange characters biking their way cross-country from LA to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. This film is set in the 60's so naturally they meet some strange people along the way. The film starts with the two main chacters, Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) , making a drug deal. From this they get alot of money which fuels their journey in the film. Wyatt is nicknamed "captain america" pictured by the american flag he has all over his bike. Billy, is supposed to represent "Billy the Kid" shown by his scruffy cowboy clothing. They meet several strange characters throughout the film, including hippies, familys, hitchhikers, prostitutes, and one of the best assets to the film: Jack Nicholson.

Jack Nicholson wasn't well known when easy rider was 1st released and partly got into the film by accident when the previous actor had an argument with the firey Dennis Hopper. Although accidental he is perfectly cast as a boozed-up lawyer they meet in prison. With his huge grin, and hilarious helmet he is taken on a ride with the two. Its one of the best scenes in the film seeing them "riding down the highway" with George Hanson (Nicholson) perched on the back grinning.

One part of the film i didn't particularly enjoy was the LSD scene where it gets a bit disturbing and doesn't have the whole "free" atmosphere that the rest of the film has. I seem to remember from somewhere that this scene was originially hours long shot by Hopper, and it just seemed like alot of drugged up rubbish strung together. Maybe its the naked hookers that i didn't particularly appreciate.

At the end of the film there is a "message"
Billy : We're rich, man. We're retired in Florida, now, mister.
Wyatt : You know, Billy. We blew it.
This may not be exactly how it went, but it does convey the whole message that even though theyve got all this money, theyre still alone, their friend dead and theyre not "free".

On the whole this film isn't smooth running, there are some long bits of dialogue which tended to drag on a bit for me. Some of the scenes just seem like pointless drugged up rubbish. But the reason why i still watch this film, and am a fan of it, is the atmosphere: the great soundtrack with "Born to be Wild", the great bikes and great open scenery that is cross-country america.

To finish off i will talk about this particular DVD. The film itself had 65 minutes documentary, director's commentary and filmographies. The box contains the "Easy Riders. Raging Bulls" DVD based on the book by Peter Biskind. I have that book and the DVD, basically summerises it with interviews and clips. Its a good backround for the film and interesting to see it in it's context of the time. It talks of other directors such as Martin Scorsese and how Easy Rider opened the door for them. The DVD also contains deleted scenes and extra footage.

The box also contains a book analyzing the circumstances surrounding the film by Lee Hill. I haven't actually read the book, but my brother tells me it's interesting. 4 postcards picturing scenes from the film are also included, which are said to be limited edition for collectors.

The 2 DVDs, book, and postcards are all contained in a neat yellow box, which me being me i rather like! But that might not concern you. I think all this is well worth £18.00 if you want the extras. I think this special edition DVD would be great if your already a fan of the film because you can really see where the film has come from. However if you havn't seen this film before i don't recomend this version, because for £18.00 it is very risky because im aware many people dont particularly like this film. Personally i enjoyed this film greatly, not because of it's poor quality or Hopper's antics, but because of the atmosphere and 60's America backdrop. I wouldn't recomend this film if you like perfectly timed films, with perfect acting or find drug taking offensive, because there sure is alot of that in this film! 
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More details
How does it compare to similar films? Satisfactory 
How does it compare to others by the same director? Good 
Value for Money Excellent 
What format are you reviewing? DVD 

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