Easy Rider: Drugs. Sex. Freedom. Death.
By The Editors
PlannedMan

We agree with Quentin Tarantino, the guy who brought us "Kill Bill" and "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction," when he described "Easy Rider" as the movie that "...might be the single greatest example of '60s cinema in almost every way."

Easy Rider: Drugs. Sex. Freedom. Death.

Highlights


If you want to get your motor running, get out on the highway with Peter and Dennis —and Jack.

"Some of the most fun in life you will ever have will involve a motorcycle, and friends with motorcycles."

Fun Fact: The guy who wrote "Born to be Wild" is a Canadian who calls himself "Mars Bonfire." Swear to God.

I just watched a trailer for Easy Rider, with Peter Fonda flashing that Captain America smile, sixties hippie Dennis Hopper looking angry at the world, and a very young Jack Nicholson riding bitch with a football helmet on this head.

Yep, that goofball below in the football helmet, tan suit and crazy-ass’d wide-open laugh is a very young Jack Nicholson.

The movie was released in 1969.

Quentin Tarantino, the guy who brought us Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, once described Easy Rider as the movie that “…might be the single greatest example of ’60s cinema in almost every way.” 

I guarantee that if you watch Easy Rider now for your first time or not, it’s going to make quite an impression on you.

I was eight when the movie came out, and for some reason I did not understood then or now, my mother took my ten-year-old brother and me to see it.

Let’s just say both the movie and the soundtrack, which included Born to Be Wild from Steppenwolf and The Weight from The Band, along with songs from Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Roger McGuinn, made quite an impression on me.

My guess is that as you read this, you’re probably not eight years old, but I guarantee that if you watch Easy Rider now for your first time or not, it’s going to make quite an impression on you, too.

And if you have or know an eight-year old, is it time to show him Easy Rider?

Here are some valuable lessons I learned that night, that still guide me today:

1: To quote The Simpsons: “Drugs are bad. You shouldn’t do drugs. If you do them, you are bad, because drugs are bad.”  

2. If you are going to do drugs, make sure you make taking them memorable by only doing drugs with good friends.

3. Some of the most fun you will ever have in your life will involve a motorcycle, friends with motorcycles, great music, and great views.

4. A few lessons on freedom from Jack Nicholson’s character, shortly before he’s beaten to death by locals who don’t appreciate being shown they’re not free:

“It’s real hard to be free when you are bought and sold in the marketplace. Of course, don’t ever tell anybody that they’re not free, ’cause then they’re gonna get real busy killin’ and maimin’ to prove to you that they are.”

5. Not everyone who smiles at you is friendly and…

6. Shit happens:

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