Easy Rider (1969)

Two bikers head from L.A. to New Orleans through the open country and desert lands, and along the way they meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap of which they had been unaware.

Director:

Dennis Hopper

Writers:

Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper

Stars:

Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Fonda	...	Wyatt
Dennis Hopper	...	Billy
Antonio Mendoza	...	Jesus
Phil Spector	...	Connection
Mac Mashourian	...	Bodyguard
Warren Finnerty	...	Rancher
Tita Colorado	...	Rancher's Wife
Luke Askew	...	Stranger on Highway
Luana Anders	...	Lisa
Sabrina Scharf	...	Sarah
Sandy Brown Wyeth	...	Joanne (as Sandy Wyeth)
Robert Walker Jr.	...	Jack (as Robert Walker)
Robert Ball	...	Mime #1
Carmen Phillips	...	Mime #2
Ellie Wood Walker	...	Mime #3 (as Ellie Walker)

Storyline

Netting a hefty profit from their latest drug deal, hippies Wyatt and Billy decide to outfit themselves with among other things motorbikes - Wyatt complete in what they call his Captain America gear and similar motif on the bike - and chucking any structure in their lives beyond the want to get there for the event, cycle from their home base of Los Angeles to New Orleans for Mardi Gras in just over a week. They don't plan to spend their proceeds on this trip - they saving that for a more carefree life in Florida after the fact - they sleeping in the great outdoors along the way. While Wyatt is more easy going, believing in the karmic nature and practicality of helping others when they can and in turn asking for help when they need it, Billy is a little more suspicious of the people they encounter, especially in hiding their wad of cash that is stuffed into the gas tank of Wyatt's bike, that money their future. They will find that not all counter-culturalists have the exact same ...

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Plot Keywords:

road movie | motorcycle | campfire | montage | road trip | 

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Taglines:

A man went looking for America. And couldn't find it anywhere . . .

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The drugs that Billy and Wyatt transport was originally marijuana, until it was pointed out a motorcycle couldn't carry enough to score big, and Dennis Hopper ruled out heroin, so it became cocaine.

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Goofs

During Robert Walker Jr.'s t'ai chi scene in the commune the equipment generator can be heard in the background.

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Quotes

Rancher: Where you fellas from?
Captain America: LA.
Rancher: L. A.?
Captain America: Los Angeles.
Rancher: Los Angeles, is that a fact?

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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Classics from the Vault: Women in Danger (2011)

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Soundtracks

Flash, Bam, Pow
Performed by Electric Flag (as The Electric Flag), An American Music Band
Composed by Mike Bloomfield

User Reviews

They Could Ride A Long Time

Portrayed as being ultra cool, the lead roles in "Easy Rider" are awesome. Dennis Hopper is flawless with Jack and the Fonda guy not far behind. These young actors were cementing themselves without possibly wanting or knowing it, as career legends of the big screen.

"Easy Rider" is not a movie I can watch too many times. It moves along at a fairly slow pace, allowing the characters and journey to dictate the mood. However, it is definitely a movie that all with an appreciation of cinema should see. Dennis Hopper steps into the directors role with what appears to be amazing ease, although behind the scenes may not have always been so relaxed.

I would love to ride across the States but I fear I might share the same destiny as the lads in this mellow flick.

7 out of 10.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish Greek, Ancient (to 1453)

Release Date:

26 June 1969 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Loners

Filming Locations:

Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$360,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$74,448, 14 July 2019

Gross USA:

$123,276

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$123,276

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pando Company Inc., Raybert Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Atmos Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1