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Easy Rider (complete Script, Stills, Interviews, Articles
Book by Fonda, Peter
- GenresFictionCounter Culture
Mass Market Paperback
First published December 31, 1969
1 person is currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Terry Southern
64 books142 followersTerry Southern was an American novelist, screenwriter, essayist, and satirist renowned for his sharp wit, fearless satire, and incisive observations on American life. A leading voice of the counterculture and a progenitor of New Journalism, Southern made lasting contributions to both literature and film, influencing generations of writers and filmmakers with his unique blend of surreal humor and cultural critique.
Born in Alvarado, Texas, Southern served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was stationed in North Africa and Italy. After the war, he studied philosophy at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago before moving to Paris in 1948 on the G.I. Bill. There, he became part of the expatriate literary scene and developed friendships with other writers and artists. It was during this period that he met Mason Hoffenberg, with whom he co-wrote the controversial erotic satire Candy, published in 1958. The novel was banned in several countries but became an underground classic, cementing Southern’s reputation as a daring literary voice.
Southern’s first novel, Flash and Filigree (1958), introduced readers to his darkly comedic style, but it was The Magic Christian (1959) that brought him broader acclaim. The book, which satirizes greed and corruption through the antics of an eccentric billionaire, exemplified Southern’s trademark irreverence and biting social commentary. He followed this with the acclaimed short story collection Red-Dirt Marijuana and Other Tastes (1967), the porn-industry parody Blue Movie (1970), and the semi-autobiographical Texas Summer (1992).
In the 1960s, Southern turned to screenwriting and quickly became one of the most sought-after writers in Hollywood. He co-wrote the screenplay for Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), a black comedy about nuclear war that earned him an Academy Award nomination. His other screenwriting credits include The Loved One (1965), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), Barbarella (1968), Easy Rider (1969), and the film adaptation of The Magic Christian (1969). His work on Easy Rider was particularly significant, as the film became a landmark of the New Hollywood era and a symbol of the American counterculture.
Southern's literary and journalistic work also found homes in major publications such as Esquire, Harper’s, and The Paris Review. His style helped pave the way for the New Journalism movement, and Tom Wolfe cited Southern as a major influence. Beyond his literary and cinematic achievements, Southern was known for his friendships with notable cultural figures, including William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Hunter S. Thompson.
Despite early success, Southern struggled in his later years with financial instability and health problems. He continued to write and teach, contributing to Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s and lecturing on screenwriting at institutions like New York University and Columbia University.
Terry Southern died in New York City in 1995 of respiratory failure. Though his name is less known today than some of his contemporaries, his work remains influential. Revered for his unapologetic voice and imaginative storytelling, Southern is remembered as a fearless satirist who pushed the boundaries of both literature and film.
Born in Alvarado, Texas, Southern served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was stationed in North Africa and Italy. After the war, he studied philosophy at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago before moving to Paris in 1948 on the G.I. Bill. There, he became part of the expatriate literary scene and developed friendships with other writers and artists. It was during this period that he met Mason Hoffenberg, with whom he co-wrote the controversial erotic satire Candy, published in 1958. The novel was banned in several countries but became an underground classic, cementing Southern’s reputation as a daring literary voice.
Southern’s first novel, Flash and Filigree (1958), introduced readers to his darkly comedic style, but it was The Magic Christian (1959) that brought him broader acclaim. The book, which satirizes greed and corruption through the antics of an eccentric billionaire, exemplified Southern’s trademark irreverence and biting social commentary. He followed this with the acclaimed short story collection Red-Dirt Marijuana and Other Tastes (1967), the porn-industry parody Blue Movie (1970), and the semi-autobiographical Texas Summer (1992).
In the 1960s, Southern turned to screenwriting and quickly became one of the most sought-after writers in Hollywood. He co-wrote the screenplay for Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), a black comedy about nuclear war that earned him an Academy Award nomination. His other screenwriting credits include The Loved One (1965), The Cincinnati Kid (1965), Barbarella (1968), Easy Rider (1969), and the film adaptation of The Magic Christian (1969). His work on Easy Rider was particularly significant, as the film became a landmark of the New Hollywood era and a symbol of the American counterculture.
Southern's literary and journalistic work also found homes in major publications such as Esquire, Harper’s, and The Paris Review. His style helped pave the way for the New Journalism movement, and Tom Wolfe cited Southern as a major influence. Beyond his literary and cinematic achievements, Southern was known for his friendships with notable cultural figures, including William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Hunter S. Thompson.
Despite early success, Southern struggled in his later years with financial instability and health problems. He continued to write and teach, contributing to Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s and lecturing on screenwriting at institutions like New York University and Columbia University.
Terry Southern died in New York City in 1995 of respiratory failure. Though his name is less known today than some of his contemporaries, his work remains influential. Revered for his unapologetic voice and imaginative storytelling, Southern is remembered as a fearless satirist who pushed the boundaries of both literature and film.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 9, 2025
Easy Rider, written by Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda and directed by the former
9 out of 10
Easy Rider is a classic now and it has opened the door for independent, road movies, after its tremendous critical and financial success.
Made for a paltry seven hundred thousand dollars or thereabouts, it made more than forty million at the box office and given that Jack Nicholson had been given a percentage, he could buy a mansion in the hills near his inspiration, Marlon Brando.
This historic feature has been nominated for many important awards, including the Palme d'Or and two Oscars.
It is a fantastic movie about freedom and bigotry, hippy lifestyle and rednecks, liberated individuals and murderous Pithecanthrops, all set against the background of a spectacular, resplendent, stunning American scenery, where mountains are replaced by deserts and rivers flow through majestic planes.
This all could take place today, in a country that seemed to be heading for an ever more solid democratic model, only to stumble and fall so ludicrously by electing a buffoon for the highest office of the land, made grotesque by a demented fool, suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder among others.
In the opening scenes of Easy Rider, Wyatt aka Peter Fonda and Billy aka Dennis Hopper meet with some Mexican dealers, they buy some drugs and then sell them on for a major profit.
They put the money in a plastic tube that they insert in the gas tank of their impressive motorcycles and set off for New Orleans and the Mardi Gras festivities.
On this long journey, they take a hitchhiker with a peculiar attitude, who would not say where he comes from when asked, limiting himself to stating that it was a city and they are all pretty much alike.
He also invites Billy to be more respectful, because where he stands and enjoys himself- they are most of the time high - the ancestors of the few remaining natives have their burial grounds.
Easy Rider is also about marijuana and drugs, which provide the funds for the journey and most importantly, the mindsets of the protagonists.
Not just fictionally it seems, for Peter Fonda states in an interview that he gave Jack Nicholson some strong stuff and he was under the influence in the famous scene near the camp fire.
Indeed, the career of the one who would become the best in the world, with our local hero, George Constantin, would skyrocket after Easy Rider, for which he was nominated for the Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and other trophies.
The stranger from the highway takes the two Easy Riders to a hippy community, where a multitude of men, women and children live in common, away from the benefits - or is it the plague - of civilization.
The two traveling men spend some time in this modern day commune, falanster or kibbutz and they get intimate with two of the women there...'make love, not war'
However, the highlight of the movie is the encounter in jail, where the Easy Riders are brought by what today would be fanatic Trump supporters, for taking part in a parade without a permit, because they just happened to be traveling along, of George Hanson aka the mesmerizing Jack Nicholson.
Robert Evans claims in his book, The Kid Stays in the Picture, that he has discovered Jack Nicholson.
That notwithstanding, he steals the show.
The fantastic artist lights up the screen, but his consequent presence on it is rather short.
Easy Rider is also unique in the earnest, tragic manner that it ends the road movie, an outstanding accomplishment.
9 out of 10
Easy Rider is a classic now and it has opened the door for independent, road movies, after its tremendous critical and financial success.
Made for a paltry seven hundred thousand dollars or thereabouts, it made more than forty million at the box office and given that Jack Nicholson had been given a percentage, he could buy a mansion in the hills near his inspiration, Marlon Brando.
This historic feature has been nominated for many important awards, including the Palme d'Or and two Oscars.
It is a fantastic movie about freedom and bigotry, hippy lifestyle and rednecks, liberated individuals and murderous Pithecanthrops, all set against the background of a spectacular, resplendent, stunning American scenery, where mountains are replaced by deserts and rivers flow through majestic planes.
This all could take place today, in a country that seemed to be heading for an ever more solid democratic model, only to stumble and fall so ludicrously by electing a buffoon for the highest office of the land, made grotesque by a demented fool, suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder among others.
In the opening scenes of Easy Rider, Wyatt aka Peter Fonda and Billy aka Dennis Hopper meet with some Mexican dealers, they buy some drugs and then sell them on for a major profit.
They put the money in a plastic tube that they insert in the gas tank of their impressive motorcycles and set off for New Orleans and the Mardi Gras festivities.
On this long journey, they take a hitchhiker with a peculiar attitude, who would not say where he comes from when asked, limiting himself to stating that it was a city and they are all pretty much alike.
He also invites Billy to be more respectful, because where he stands and enjoys himself- they are most of the time high - the ancestors of the few remaining natives have their burial grounds.
Easy Rider is also about marijuana and drugs, which provide the funds for the journey and most importantly, the mindsets of the protagonists.
Not just fictionally it seems, for Peter Fonda states in an interview that he gave Jack Nicholson some strong stuff and he was under the influence in the famous scene near the camp fire.
Indeed, the career of the one who would become the best in the world, with our local hero, George Constantin, would skyrocket after Easy Rider, for which he was nominated for the Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and other trophies.
The stranger from the highway takes the two Easy Riders to a hippy community, where a multitude of men, women and children live in common, away from the benefits - or is it the plague - of civilization.
The two traveling men spend some time in this modern day commune, falanster or kibbutz and they get intimate with two of the women there...'make love, not war'
However, the highlight of the movie is the encounter in jail, where the Easy Riders are brought by what today would be fanatic Trump supporters, for taking part in a parade without a permit, because they just happened to be traveling along, of George Hanson aka the mesmerizing Jack Nicholson.
Robert Evans claims in his book, The Kid Stays in the Picture, that he has discovered Jack Nicholson.
That notwithstanding, he steals the show.
The fantastic artist lights up the screen, but his consequent presence on it is rather short.
Easy Rider is also unique in the earnest, tragic manner that it ends the road movie, an outstanding accomplishment.
March 27, 2019
اثري در حمایت از هیپی های آمریکا!
در ابتدا بگم که فيلمنامه همه پسند نیست. در این اثر شخصیت های اصلی نگرش فارغ البال و بی قیدی را می ستایند. شخصیت هایی که وایت و بیلی بر سر راه با آن رویارو میشوند چیزهای بسیار متفاوتی با هنجارهای اجتماعی متداول است. پذیرش آدم های متفاوت و آزاد اندیش بودن مهمترین پیام كتاب است. آیا جرات این و داریم که آدم های متفاوت از عقیده و نظر خودمان را انسان بدانیم؟!
بیلی: قرار بود اينجا يه کشور خوب و آزاد باشه نميدونم که چه بلايي سر اين مردم و کشور اومده ما حتي نميتونيم به يه هتل درجه 2 بريم هتل که خوبه ، حتي يه مسافرخونه درجه 2 هر جا ميريم مردم فکر ميکنن که ما خلافکار هستيم و هر آن ممکنه که اونا رو بکشيم
جورج: اونا از تو نميترسن اونا از چيزي که از تو برداشت ميکنن ، ميترسن ، ...تو براي اونا مثل نماد آزادي هستي و اونا با ديدن تو به آزادي فکر ميکنن. همه حق دارن آزاد باشن اما صحبت کردن درباره يه موضوع تا ...عمل کردن به اون دو مقوله کاملا جداست که از زمين تا آسمون با هم ديگه فرق ميکنن ...خيلي سخته که هم در حال کار و زندگي باشي و هم بخواهي آزاد باشي و آزاد زندگي کني اين دوتا کاملا با هم ناسازگارن. هيچ وقت به کسي نگو که آزادي نداره ...چونکه ممکنه با شنيدن اين حرف با کشتن تو هم که شده ، ثابت ميکنه که آزاده اونا همينطور و همينطور درباره ..."آزادي هاي شخصي" براي تو صحبت ميکنن اما در عمل يه "شحص آزاد" رو ميبينن و اين ، اونا رو خيلي ميترسونه.
در ابتدا بگم که فيلمنامه همه پسند نیست. در این اثر شخصیت های اصلی نگرش فارغ البال و بی قیدی را می ستایند. شخصیت هایی که وایت و بیلی بر سر راه با آن رویارو میشوند چیزهای بسیار متفاوتی با هنجارهای اجتماعی متداول است. پذیرش آدم های متفاوت و آزاد اندیش بودن مهمترین پیام كتاب است. آیا جرات این و داریم که آدم های متفاوت از عقیده و نظر خودمان را انسان بدانیم؟!
بیلی: قرار بود اينجا يه کشور خوب و آزاد باشه نميدونم که چه بلايي سر اين مردم و کشور اومده ما حتي نميتونيم به يه هتل درجه 2 بريم هتل که خوبه ، حتي يه مسافرخونه درجه 2 هر جا ميريم مردم فکر ميکنن که ما خلافکار هستيم و هر آن ممکنه که اونا رو بکشيم
جورج: اونا از تو نميترسن اونا از چيزي که از تو برداشت ميکنن ، ميترسن ، ...تو براي اونا مثل نماد آزادي هستي و اونا با ديدن تو به آزادي فکر ميکنن. همه حق دارن آزاد باشن اما صحبت کردن درباره يه موضوع تا ...عمل کردن به اون دو مقوله کاملا جداست که از زمين تا آسمون با هم ديگه فرق ميکنن ...خيلي سخته که هم در حال کار و زندگي باشي و هم بخواهي آزاد باشي و آزاد زندگي کني اين دوتا کاملا با هم ناسازگارن. هيچ وقت به کسي نگو که آزادي نداره ...چونکه ممکنه با شنيدن اين حرف با کشتن تو هم که شده ، ثابت ميکنه که آزاده اونا همينطور و همينطور درباره ..."آزادي هاي شخصي" براي تو صحبت ميکنن اما در عمل يه "شحص آزاد" رو ميبينن و اين ، اونا رو خيلي ميترسونه.
January 30, 2020
I know the movie inside out. The few articles at the start are the most interesting thing here (the first piece, the only one by Hopper, unfortunately isn’t much good).
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews