EASY RIDER (1969)

Title: EASY RIDER

Year of Release: 1969

Director: Dennis Hopper

Genre: Adventure, Drama

Synopsis: Two freewheeling bikers ride across the United States seeking freedom and to find themselves, but meet a tragic end.

Within a film history context: Films which have bikers as central characters can be found from the earliest days of cinema. One of the most notable was Mabel Norman and Mack Sennett's silent MABEL AT THE WHEEL (1914). Here, Charles Chaplin offers Mabel Normand a ride on his motorcycle in this zany comedy studded with other comics such as Chester Conklin, and co-director Mack Sennett. Another comedy was SHERLOCK JR. (1924), both starring and directed by Buster Keaton. It is noteworthy for a remarkable scene where Mr Keaton rides his motorcycle over a collapsing bridge, and surpasses many other obstacles. A film with larger scope given to a motorcycle rider protagonist was Jack Lee's ONCE A JOLLY SWAGMAN (1949). In this movie, a man's passion for motorbike racing causes issues in his marriage, with Dirk Bogarde in the lead part of the professional motorbike racer. Similarly THE PACE THAT THRILLS (1952), directed by Leon Barsha also featured a biker, with romance and much action included for good measure, with Bill Williams in the lead. One of the most famous of the biker movies was Laszlo Benedek's THE WILD ONE (1953). An excellent showcase for Marlon Brando, it revolved around biker gangs, and their impact on a small town and its residents. In an entirely different vein, exploitation was the name of the game in MOTORCYCLE GANG (1957), directed by Edward L. Cahn. It was one of American International Pictures' films on the theme, with others such as David Bradley's DRAGSTRIP RIOT (1958) also appearing around the same time. The difference between the former, and the latter was that the latter featured familiar faces such as Fay Wray and Connie Stevens in its cast. Into the 1960s came an explosion of biker-themed movies on screen, especially in the second half of the 1960s.

THE GREAT ESCAPE (1963), directed by John Sturges, had scenes with Steve McQueen riding a motorbike, in this taut World War II tale. With Joseph Losey's THE DAMNED (1963), a malignant motorcycle gang cause nothing but problems for an innocent man who falls into their clutches. Elvis Presley vehicle ROUSTABOUT (1964), directed by John Rich, with Mr Presley riding, and singing on a motorcycle, was one of the main attractions in this musical romance. On the other hand, Sidney J. Furie's THE LEATHER BOYS (1964) featured several supporting biker characters as well as a biker main protagonist. More blatant in its approach was MOTORPSYCHO (1965), directed by Russ Meyer. Exploitation was the order of the day, with misogynistic bikers raping women, and causing other mayhem, but their latest crime finds them an opponent determined to bring them down. Roger Corman's THE WILD ANGELS (1966) was another exploitation film, but this time, with an excellent cast, including Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern, Diane Ladd and others, in this movie about a California biker gang, and their hell raising ways.

Further biker adventures and capers were spotlighted in other films such as, most notably, HELLS ANGELS ON WHEELS (1967), directed by Richard Rush, and Daniel Haller's DEVIL'S ANGELS (1967). Revenge was the motivation for THE GLORY STOMPERS (1967), directed by Anthony Lanza, and David Hewitt's HELLS CHOSEN FEW (1968). There was also a slight trend toward female bikers in several late 1960s films, with 1968 alone sporting SHE-DEVILS ON WHEELS, directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis, Maury Dexter's THE MINI-SKIRT MOB, and THE GIRL ON A MOTORCYCLE, directed by Jack Cardiff, some of the envelope-pushing releases that year. Compared to these examples, EASY RIDER had in common the scenic footage of bikers traveling the country, but diverted in other surprising ways from the previous entries in the genre.

Unlike the earliest movies such as MABEL AT THE WHEEL and SHERLOCK JR., which employed biker characters in amusing scenarios, EASY RIDER, overall, was neither deeply dramatic, nor comic in any particular way. There was some humor in the film, but it was not of a broad nature, more subtle in its delivery. The supporting characters in EASY RIDER generally provided the spice, which gave the movie a balance to the scenes of biker escapades. EASY RIDER had an easy-going way about it in the style of ROUSTABOUT, with its picturesque views of the countryside, but lacked the melodrama of entries such as THE GLORY STOMPERS, and the other mid to late 1960s biker films. While many of those focused upon violent narratives with evil bikers, such as in MOTORPSYCHO, the bikers in EASY RIDER were, in complete contrast placid, and even-natured in comparison. 

Wyatt and Billy in EASY RIDER never directed violent tendencies toward anyone, but ill-feeling was aimed at them in the film, which gave the characters a more realistic backdrop than the indestructible, malevolent bikers of other examples. The trend of evils bikers can sometimes be over the top, but having the bikers under threat in EASY RIDER added refreshing emotional layers to the movie lacking in the other movies. Reaction to their treatment from other people, such as George's pointed comments, were also shown in the movie, something which many of the others either only touched upon briefly, or ignored completely. EASY RIDER's characters were also of a different caliber, thus making them more relatable than the sometimes overwrought bikers from other examples. 

There was a contrast between the cool, calm, and collected Wyatt with the edgier, slightly suspicious Billy which worked well. Their motivations were also different from the other biker films in general which made EASY RIDER stand out in the respect. In EASY RIDER, Wyatt and Billy only sought variety, and different experiences with a variety of people on the road. It was more of an odyssey for them, especially displaying their reactions to people, and how other people in turn envisioned them. The film was more of a learning experience not only for the characters but also, the viewers, which also gave EASY RIDER a slightly sombre streak. The most poetic of the biker movie genre, EASY RIDER is memorable for its thoughtful presentation and sincere intentions, an original film that deserved its immense success.

Overview: Dennis Hopper was an actor who began his movie career as a young adult, and directed seven feature films over the space of twenty-five years. His second movie, THE LAST MOVIE (1971), was about a horse wrangler involved in the filming of a movie in Peru, and how his life immeasurably changes after being involved in this project. Critically derided at the time of its release, with poor box office takings, it hampered its director's ability to make another film for some time. Mr Hopper's third film, OUT OF THE BLUE (1980), was a total change of pace from his previous movie. The character study of a young woman obsessed with Elvis Presley and punk music, it was much better received than THE LAST MOVIE, specifically due to its direction, and performances. Grittier in content was COLORS (1988). An examination of gangs, and associated violence in Los Angeles, as seen through the eyes of a veteran policeman and his younger partner, it was well-received not only critically, but also at the box office. The opposite could be said of Dennis Hopper's next film, CATCHFIRE (1990). Despite starring Jodie Foster, and an illustrious cast in a tale of a woman pursued due to her witnessing of a Mafia killing, it did not do either good business financially, or critically. Mr Hopper's penultimate movie, THE HOT SPOT (1990) was in a similar predicament. Crime was again the focus, this time with a man robbing a bank, and becoming enmeshed not only with the police, but also, the town's female inhabitants. Dennis Hopper's last feature film, CHASERS (1994) was a comedy about two United States Navy men assigned to take a Seaman female prisoner to jail, this woman capable of doing anything to get away. EASY RIDER was Dennis Hopper's directorial debut, and one of his most insightful motion pictures.

The story of two bikers riding across America, searching for a slice of happiness, and not finding it, is well explored, and executed by the director in EASY RIDER. Dennis Hopper achieves this in a number of ways. Mr Hopper captures a time and place in the world with exactness and sensitivity, especially highlighting feelings of disenchantment, and displacement, on the part of his protagonists. The America of the late 1960s, with all of its understanding, and also, lack thereof on display, is demonstrated by Mr Hopper through his characters, with both their reactions to, and the impact they make with their presence, on the world they inhabit. Being one's self, and finding one's true self, are high on the film's aspirational radar. EASY RIDER looks at how the natural presence of its characters is threatening to certain others in the story world, and this in turn brings themes of being the outsider, racism, and other concepts to the fore. These are the strongest segments of the movie, which are the most memorable in retrospect. EASY RIDER, though, is a picture which has elements which have not held up as well over time.

While EASY RIDER has a contagious aura of freedom which is not to be discounted, especially in the many motorcycle scenes, some of the segments of the film are not as sturdy as others. In the 1960s, the commune scenes would have possibly been more relevant than now, but these definitely could have been shortened. Even though these introduce one of the many characters who ride along with Wyatt and Billy, and have a purpose in the movie, they seem to go on a little, but one part of the film is particularly enervating to watch. More so than the commune sequences, the LSD drop out scene with Wyatt, Billy and their companions is interminable. It does not add much to the film except excess weight, and, if eliminated or substantially edited, would not have been missed. Something else that subtracts from the film is the fact that Wyatt and Billy are drug dealers, which makes them somewhat less sympathetic on one level. While the tragedy of the finale is palpable, having them involved in illegal activity takes away somewhat from the devastating effect the film strives to achieve. In spite of these flaws, there are many things which recommend the film as one that must be seen by those seriously interested in cinema. EASY RIDER, on the whole, is a landmark movie that set trends in cinema, and has a definite place in cinematic history.

Acting: Three acting contributions are the most prominent in EASY RIDER. As Billy, the anxious, slightly paranoid biker, Dennis Hopper brings a nervy, jovial energy to his role, that can be contrasted with Wyatt. As Wyatt, Peter Fonda exhibits a cool, philosophical outlook that works well as the more subdued of the two bikers. The small role of boozy, curious lawyer George Hanson is made memorable by Jack Nicholson. A performer who excels in roles where he is called upon to display his dominant personality, here he is more knowing, understanding, with a vulnerability lacking from his other portrayals.

Soundtrack: EASY RIDER has an eclectic soundtrack, with an extensive collection of rock songs of the era playing as non-diegetic music. Tunes such as 'Born to be Wild', 'I Wasn't Born to Follow', and 'Kyrie Eleison', to name several examples, not only illustrate, in many cases, what is taking place onscreen, but also, immeasurably add an atmosphere of excitement, and zest, to the movie.

Mise-en-scene: Laszlo Kovacs' cinematography is first-rate, highlighting the many beautiful, rugged places which Wyatt and Billy visit on their travels. The film is shot extensively in many locales which gives the film a sense of verisimilitude, and is notable historically for showcasing locations which would be vastly different now than what they were at the time of EASY RIDER's filming.

Notable Acting Performances: Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson.

Suitability for young viewers: No. Female nudity, adult themes, medium-level violence, drug use.

Overall Grade: B

Link: IMDB Page

Trailer