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Easy Rider (1969) watch along (Patreon)

Published:
2024-12-06 18:02:28
Imported:
2026-06
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Happy AFI Friday!

#84 on the AFI list Easy Rider (1969)

*******Light Spoilers Below*******

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this film at first, to be honest. It wasn’t the pacing, the breathtaking landscapes, or the introspection—it wasn’t any of that. I just wasn’t sure. Maybe it’s because the film reflects so much of the turmoil and change of the 1960s, and I feel a bit naive about it all.

But as the movie unfolded, things started to sink in. Characters like Wyatt began to resonate with me in a way I didn’t expect. I really came to appreciate the raw, stripped-down style and how unapologetically unique the movie is. It takes creative risks, and I love that. And that ending? It’s unforgettable—it left me shaken.

I’m still not sure where this one will land when I rank the list myself. It’s not a huge favourite for me so far, but I have a lot of appreciation for it. It was cool to see Dennis Hopper both direct and act in this. Now, I’m even more curious to check out more of his work, along with Peter Fonda’s.

Let me know your thoughts!

xx

ames

Files

Easy Rider (1960)

Comments

Henry Graham

I don't think Easy Rider has aged particularly well (as is often the case with counterculture pictures of the era) and it's one that is far more notable for the long shadow of its impact than for the quality of the film itself. It's one of the key films that kicked off the New Hollywood revolution that stretched into the 70s and it set Nicholson, Fonda and Hopper on the road to stardom, although they all did much better work later. There is a lot of good stuff in the film and it's an essential film to see for its place in Hollywood history, but not one I'll be revisiting.

RFK Fan

I agree with your assessment Ames. It is a great archive and reflection of the times I think. This and the Cassavetes films really helped launch the Independent Cinema movement in the US. Shoestring budgets forced filmmakers to think outside the box and the results were often surprising. Dennis Hopper ended up putting down roots in Taos NM after filming this (he's buried there and we hold an annual Dennis Drive on motorcycles from ABQ to his gravesite each spring). It's the definition of guerrilla filmmaking in my opinion as they had mostly a skeleton crew, next to no script, and often recruited people they met along their journey to hold a light or walk through a scene. This film also really helped put Jack Nicolson on the Hollywood radar with his short but memorable performance as George.

Catchermag

Easy Rider isn’t a film, it’s a snapshot. They were using real drugs in the scenes, and it showed. I think of it, and it’s lead in films The Trip and The Wild Angels, as a short foray of known American filmmakers and actors to dip their toes into the counterculture and subculture film making of people like Antonioni, Jodorowsky, Godard, Wexler. Those people were serious though. Hopper wanted to get hiiiigggh, man. But it worked. It’s a great watch, and it gave a face to the freedom that American bikers at the time wanted. Hell, that movie is still a benchmark for those clubs. And the soundtrack is amazing.

Toc

Easy Rider was dated two years after it was made, your review is pretty much EXACTLY how most of us probably feel about it! Like you said....it takes chances! This movie ended the studio system for good! It was being run by the same people who had been running it since the silent era......and after Easy Rider was a huge hit, they just threw up their hands and greenlit everything for ten years. lol. Is it our favorite movie? Not even close. But man oh man, movies would not be the same without it. That's why the book is called: "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls"! Watching now!

Henry Graham

Actually, one of the best things to come out of Easy Rider is that its enormous success encouraged Universal to give Peter Fonda total freedom on The Hired Hand, a beautiful western that he wrote, directed and starred in two years later. It's one of my favourite films from this era, and if you want to explore Fonda's work more that would be a brilliant next step.

JM63

I don't know man, there were like, some.... y'know, negative vibes about this one going in, but seeing it again after 20+ years was pretty fuckin' groovy man!! Hey, anybody got a light?

Cliff Adams

It is a period piece, but I object to the idea of it being dated. Like ALL fads and fashions, after popularity, it goes through about 15 years of rejection and ridicule. Then the "unfashionable"-ness of it just seems of a different era, gone but remaining relevant. I was well into college, dating the girl who would become my first wife. All the music in this film was the music we heard every day on the newish concept of underground radio. We went to the second showing of Easy Rider on opening night... not just the two of us, but a crowd of a dozen. Half of us were stoked on cycles and or sports cars, all of us were college age hippies/counter culture/musicians/writers/artists in various configurations. We were excited about the music, the less exploitive biker film, the road trip from LA to NO. We were laughing, joyful, hopeful... then the crowd from the first showing let out. They were dour, crying, trying to warn us. How is the bigotry against longhairs so different than the current bigotry against migrants, people of color, anyone who is not straight, white, and male? It's a film not only about bigotry, but also about goals... and what to do after the goal is achieved. You ride on without purpose. "I'm hip about time." "Death only closes a man's reputation, and determines it as good or bad." "We blew it." The film came out two years after the Haight-Ashbury funeral for the hippie.

Catchermag

Zap ‘em with yer sirens man, zap ‘em with yer sirens!!! Wrong movie but I can’t see Hopper without thinking of him saying it.

James Rogers

I have a hard time with this film. There are plenty of things I like about it. Peter Fonda's and Jack Nicholson's performances. The beautiful shots during the road trip. The soundtrack. The quirky editing. And yes, this film helped break the last vestiges of the old studio system. Here's the problem I have. It also opened the door for a lot of pretentious, self-indulgent crap to get a green light (I'm looking at you The Last Movie). Bile released; let's move on. I'm guessing this film introduced most viewers at that time to Jack Nicholson. Unless, like me, they were fans of Roger Corman films. My introduction to Jack was in the original Little Shop of Horrors (1960). One of my shameful faves, I do hope we see Blue Velvet here one day. Dennis Hopper at his scene-stealing best. Thanks for making this an easy ride. 🏍️

Clay F

I have a comfy couch. I like the movie. I agreed with your judgments. Also agree that the movie has a wonderful soundtrack and a tragic ending. I like the 1968-72 time period -- aside from the chances of being harassed or killed for being a longhair. I know you hate that people are judged or treated wrongly because of the way they look or for not conforming. Nicholson explained it that some people are afraid of people who seem different -- it arouses resentment and hangups they may have in their own lives. A cool road trip through stunning scenery. Weed gives me anxiety. I like New Orleans. Been several times but intentionally did not go during Mardis Gras. If I remember, I have been to that cemetery (where they took the acid) but the entrance gate was closed/locked. "Just shut up and take it, man." I have been to traditional Mardis Gras in Cajun country (central Louisiana) and Mardis Gras in Galveston. Thanks for the reaction. I like Dennis Hopper in True Romance (1993) (written by Tarantino) and Hoosiers (1986) (w/Gene Hackman). I liked Peter Fonda in "3:10 to Yuma" (2007) (a western as you may know and also having excellent performances by Russell Crowe and Christian Bale).

JM63

After smoking some grass and meditating for a few hours, I had some thoughts about the characters in Easy Rider. (SPOILERS)

Natas Krad

"They'll talk to ya and talk to ya about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." "Ya well it don't make em running scared" "No, it makes em dangerous" I carry this quote with me all the time, especially when I hear someone say 'things were so much better back in the day' and I'm like... "No they weren't. Nothing has changed. There have always been small minded, easily confused man-childs who are so afraid of anything outside their bubble they become dangerous. This is a more than a classic. Thanks for riding with me back to the days of my childhood to witness the tragic death of the American dream. Cheers.