The Trip

In order to prepare for the film, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson all engaged in a group LSD trip.

The original theatrical prints begin with the following disclaimer, which appears as onscreen text that is read aloud by Bret Morrison: "THE TRIP - FORWARD. You are about to be involved in a most unusual motion picture experience. It deals fictionally with the hallucinogenic drug, LSD. Today, the extensive use in black market production of this and other such "mind-bending" chemicals is of great concern to medical and civil authorities. The illegal manufacture and distribution of these drugs is dangerous and can have fatal consequences. Many have been hospitalized as a result. This picture represents a shocking commentary on a prevalent trend of our time and one that must be of great concern to us all." Because this disclaimer went against Roger Corman's desire to have the film provide a balanced portrayal of drug use, it has been removed from the Blu-ray releases of the film.

In 2011, the MGM HD channel broadcast a restored and remastered Director's Cut of the film, which was then released on Blu-ray both by Signal One Entertainment in the UK in 2015 and by Olive Films in the U.S. in 2016. This version runs approximately two minutes longer than the original theatrical version and contains the following changes:

• The opening disclaimer describing the dangers of LSD use is removed.
• Paul's attempt to intercept Glenn at the go-go club contains more footage, including shots of a painted dancer being carried around on a party-goer's shoulders.
• The final close-up of Paul before the end credits no longer shatters like glass (a studio-imposed symbolic suggestion that his trip has irreparably damaged his psyche).
• After the end credits, "Synesthesia", the music cue heard at the beginning of Paul's trip, is reprised as exit music.

Edited from House of Usher (1960)