( peeping )
( faint TV sportscaster speaking )
...handoff on the left side.
...first down, Hunter's out at the 20-yard line and a big...
Sondi Wright: HE'D KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME
THAT HE WAS NO LONGER A REALLY GOOD WRITER.
HE HAD SPURTS.
Douglas Brinkley: HE LOST THAT GONZO EDGE.
( TV sports announcer resumes )
Tom Wolfe: I WONDER WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OLD HUNTER.
HE'S KIND OF LOSING IT.
Charles Perry: CREATIVELY, HE HAD WRITTEN ALL HIS GREAT STUFF.
HE HADN'T BEEN REALLY PRODUCTIVE FOR FIVE OR SIX YEARS.
I THINK HE JUST HAD RUN OUT OF JUICE.
Brinkley: IN HUNTER'S LAST YEARS--
IN ORDER TO REALLY GET THE JUICES STIRRED UP IN HIM--
IN WHAT WE CALL QUINTESSENTIAL HUNTER--
IT TOOK SOMETHING LIKE--
IT HAD TO ALMOST A FEEL LIKE A KICK IN THE GROIN.
Johnny Depp: "IT WAS JUST AFTER DAWN IN WOODY CREEK, COLORADO,
WHEN THE FIRST PLANE HIT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER
IN NEW YORK CITY ON TUESDAY MORNING.
AND AS USUAL I WAS WRITING ABOUT SPORTS,
BUT NOT FOR LONG.
FOOTBALL SUDDENLY SEEMED IRRELEVANT
COMPARED TO THE SCENES OF DESTRUCTION AND UTTER DEVASTATION
COMING OUT OF NEW YORK ON TV."
( "All Along the Watchtower" playing )
"THE TOWERS ARE GONE NOW, REDUCED TO BLOODY RUBBLE,
ALONG WITH ALL HOPES FOR PEACE IN OUR TIME--
IN THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY."
( rock music continues )
"MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT: WE ARE AT WAR NOW."
* "THERE MUST BE SOME WAY OUT OF HERE" *
* SAID THE JOKER TO THE THIEF... *
Depp: "IT WILL BE A RELIGIOUS WAR-- A SORT OF CHRISTIAN JIHAD
FUELED BY RELIGIOUS HATRED
AND LED BY MERCILESS FANATICS ON BOTH SIDES--
GUERRILLA WARFARE ON A GLOBAL SCALE
WITH NO FRONT LINES AND NO IDENTIFIABLE ENEMY."
* ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER *
* PRINCES KEPT THE VIEW
* WHILE ALL THE WOMEN CAME AND WENT... *
Depp: "WE'RE GONNA PUNISH SOMEBODY FOR THIS ATTACK,
BUT JUST WHO OR WHAT WILL BE BLOWN TO SMITHEREENS IS HARD TO SAY--
MAYBE AFGHANISTAN, MAYBE PAKISTAN OR IRAQ."
* TWO RIDERS WERE APPROACHING *
* THE WIND BEGAN TO HOWL. *
"THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE WAR,
AND VICTORY IS NOT GUARANTEED FOR ANYONE--
AND CERTAINLY NOT FOR ANYONE AS BAFFLED AS GEORGE W BUSH.
HE WILL DECLARE A NATIONAL SECURITY EMERGENCY
AND CLAMP DOWN HARD ON EVERYBODY, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE OR WHY.
WINSTON CHURCHILL ONCE SAID,
'THE FIRST CASUALTY OF WAR IS ALWAYS THE TRUTH.'
THE LID IS ON. LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS.
DON'T SAY ANYTHING THAT MIGHT GIVE AID TO THE ENEMY."
TV anchor: A giant of the written word has died.
Hunter S Thompson was a lot of things--
a journalist, an author, a patriot,
a professional troublemaker,
a complex walking monument to misbehavior
who apparently took his own life with a gun last night.
Depp: "IT WAS ALWAYS AT NIGHT, LIKE A WEREWOLF,
THAT I WOULD TAKE THE THING OUT
FOR AN HONEST RUN DOWN THE COAST.
I WOULD START IN GOLDEN GATE PARK,
THINKING ONLY TO RUN A FEW LONG CURVES TO CLEAR MY HEAD."
( rock music playing )
"THE MOMENTARY FREEDOM OF THE PARK WAS LIKE THE ONE UNLUCKY DRINK
THAT SHOVES A WAVERING ALCOHOLIC OFF THE WAGON.
BUT IN A MATTER OF MINUTES, I'D BE OUT AT THE BEACH
WITH THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE IN MY EARS,
THE SURF BOOMING UP ON THE SEA WALL
AND A FINE EMPTY ROAD STRETCHING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO SANTA CRUZ.
THERE WAS NO HELMET ON THOSE NIGHTS,
NO SPEED LIMIT AND NO COOLING IT DOWN AROUND THE CURVES.
THEN INTO SECOND GEAR, FORGETTING THE CARS
AND LETTING THE BEAST WIND OUT-- 35, 45.
THEN INTO THIRD, NOT WORRIED ABOUT GREEN OR RED SIGNALS
BUT ONLY SOME OTHER WEREWOLF LOONY.
NOW THERE IS NO SOUND EXCEPT WIND.
THE NEEDLE LEANS DOWN ON 100,
AND WIND-BURNED EYEBALLS STRAIN TO SEE DOWN THE CENTERLINE--
NO ROOM AT ALL FOR MISTAKES.
THAT'S WHEN THE STRANGE MUSIC STARTS."
* IN THE NIGHT
* THOUGH WE'RE APART... *
Depp: "THE EDGE-- THERE IS NO HONEST WAY TO EXPLAIN IT
BECAUSE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO REALLY KNOW WHERE IT IS
ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE GONE OVER.
THE OTHERS-- THE LIVING--
ARE THOSE WHO PUSHED THEIR CONTROL AS FAR AS THEY FELT THEY COULD HANDLE IT,
AND THEN PULLED BACK, OR SLOWED DOWN.
BUT THE EDGE... IS STILL OUT THERE."
Man: What is your name, please?
My name is Hunter Thompson.
- My name is Hunter Thompson. - ( rock music playing )
Sonny Barger: I MET HUNTER IN THE '60s
A SHORT TIME BEFORE HE WROTE THE BOOK ON US.
AND HE WENT ON TO BECOME
PROBABLY ONE OF THE GREATEST WRITERS
THAT AMERICA WILL EVER HAVE.
DOESN'T MEAN HE ISN'T A JERK IN MY EYES,
BUT HE'S A VERY GOOD WRITER.
Wolfe: HUNTER REMINDS ME SO MUCH OF MARK TWAIN.
HE WAS A REPORTER-- TWAIN STARTED OUT AS A REPORTER--
WITH A WILD IMAGINATION
AND HE'S NOT TRYING TO FOOL YOU.
YOU KNOW IMMEDIATELY THAT HE IS FILTERING REALITY
THROUGH WHAT HUNTER CALLED GONZO.
Man: Will the real Hunter Thompson please stand up?
Wright: WILL THE REAL HUNTER THOMPSON STAND UP?
- ( laughing ) - ( applause )
THAT WAS BEFORE I UNDERSTOOD WHAT ALL THAT WAS GOING TO MEAN.
( sniffs, mumbles )
OOPS, ARE WE MARKING?
OH, NO! GOD! HELP US, JESUS!
I KNOW IT. IT'S IN MY INTEREST--
MAYBE IN THE INTEREST OF GREATEST GOOD--
FOR ME TO SMOKE A JOINT AND CALM DOWN.
Jimmy Carter: HE WAS NOT AFRAID TO ROCK THE BOAT,
TO CHALLENGE THE ESTABLISHMENT
AND EXPRESS HIMSELF IN UNIQUE AND RADICAL, SOMETIMES SHOCKING, WAYS.
Pat Buchanan: HE DESCRIBED ME AS A HALF-CRAZED DAVY CROCKETT
RUNNING AROUND THE PARAPETS OF NIXON'S ALAMO.
WE WERE ALL AMUSED BY HIM.
HE WAS AN INTERESTING GUY TO BE AROUND.
HE ASKED YOU UNEXPECTED QUESTIONS.
MOST PEOPLE WERE SURPRISED THAT I WALK ON TWO LEGS.
I THINK PEOPLE THINK I'M... VERY MUCH--
MAYBE A VIOLENT VERSION OF THAT COMIC STRIP.
THIS IS THE LAST DRAWING I DID OF HIM SO FAR.
"MY GOD! I MUSTA MISSED-- IT'S HELL DOWN HERE!!"
( chuckles )
Ralph Steadman: HE'S PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES AS MUCH AS HE COULD.
LIFE TO HIM WAS THE CHALLENGE.
HE WAS GONNA BE DEAD AT 30, ANYWAY,
SO NOW HE WAS LIVING ON BORROWED TIME.
( Hunter over phone )
"DEAR HUNTER, IT IS OVER A YEAR
SINCE YOU SET THE SCENE FOR YOUR STRANGELY- PLANNED SUICIDE.
THE MESSAGES THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FROM YOU
UP TO THE BUSH/KERRY ELECTION OF 2004
WERE INFECTED BY A DISMAL UNDERTONE.
'IF BUSH WINS,' YOU SAID, 'THE PLANET IS DOOMED.'
WHEN YOU PULLED THE TRIGGER ON YOUR MAGNUM .44,
MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO SAY, 'ABOUT BLOODY TIME.
HE'S BEEN THREATENING TO DO THAT FOR YEARS.'
YOU WERE NEVER REASONABLE, AND YOU KNEW,
IN SPITE OF YOUR WAYWARD SPIRIT,
YOU WERE NOT INVINCIBLE.
THOSE WHO GREW TO BE A THREAT TO YOUR AMERICA
CONTINUE TO BURGEON.
FOR YOU, IT WAS VICTORY OR GAME OVER.
I JUST WANTED YOU TO HANG AROUND AND NAIL THE BEAUTY
OF THAT IMAGE OF ABSOLUTE EVIL.
BUT YOU LEAVE US WITH A BLUEPRINT, OLD SPORT.
TAKE IT UP WITH THE GODS.
SEND WORD. RALPH."
Wright: I THINK HE WAS IMPORTANT
IN A LITERARY WAY
AND ALSO IN A POLITICAL WAY.
AND I THINK THAT HIS STORY IS TRAGIC.
HE WAS LOVING.
HE WAS GENEROUS.
ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM,
THE BOY IN THE MAN
WAS ABSOLUTELY VICIOUS.
GOD DAMN, YOU DUMBASS! REACH UNDER THERE
- AND GET SOME GODDAMNED MEDICINE! - Man: OVER HERE?
TO THE RIGHT.
Anita Thompson: HUNTER HAD TWO EXTREMES IN HIM
THAT HE LIVED WITH CONSTANTLY--
THE GENEROUS, BEAUTIFUL HUNTER
AND THE SCARY, MEAN, CRUEL HUNTER.
AND HE WAS AWARE OF BOTH.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE WAS IN CONTROL OF BOTH ALL THE TIME,
BUT HE WAS CERTAINLY AWARE OF BOTH.
AND THEY BECAME PRESENT IN HIS LIFE
WHEN HE WAS VERY YOUNG-- BOTH SIDES.
( jazz music playing )
Brinkley: YOU'VE GOTTA GO BACK TO LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY,
TO UNDERSTAND HIM. HIS FATHER DIED WHEN HE WAS YOUNG.
SO YOU HAD A MOTHER RAISING THREE BOYS
ON A LIBRARIAN SALARY.
HE LIVED-- IT WASN'T EVEN MIDDLE CLASS,
IT WAS A LOWER- MIDDLE-CLASS EXISTENCE.
HIS FRIENDS WERE THE RICH KIDS OF LOUISVILLE,
THE ONES THAT HAD ALL THE PRIVILEGE.
SO HE WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS.
YET, HUNTER WAS VERY SMART, NATURALLY INTELLIGENT,
AND HE ALWAYS FELT A BIT LIKE THE OUTSIDER.
HE WAS A REAL HELLION ON VANDALISM.
THE SEMINAL EXPERIENCE WAS WHEN HE AND A GROUP OF BUDDIES
WERE PARTYING AND SMOKING CIGARETTES
AND DRINKING BEER. THEY WERE ALL ARRESTED.
THE RICH KIDS WHO KNEW THE JUDGES GOT OUT.
HUNTER NEVER GOT TO WALK FOR GRADUATION.
HE WAS IN JAIL.
Depp: "I COULD SEE THE MOON HUNG HIGH IN THE SKY
WITH A MOCKING GRIN ON HIS FACE.
I SEIZED THE BARS, AND SHRIEKED AND WAILED
LIKE A SOUL WHO'S LOST IN HELL."
Wright: ESSENTIALLY, INSIDE...
HUNTER WAS AN AGONIZED HUMAN BEING.
BUT HE ALSO FELT
LIKE HE HAD THE POTENTIAL
OF BEING A REALLY GREAT WRITER.
Brinkley: "THE GREAT GATSBY" IS HOW HUNTER LEARNED TO WRITE.
HE WOULD TYPE "THE GREAT GATSBY" OVER AND OVER AGAIN
JUST TO LEARN THE MUSIC OF FITZGERALD.
"THE GREAT GATSBY" WAS FILLED WITH ANGER
THAT THE WHOLE DEAL IN AMERICAN LIFE WAS RIGGED.
HUNTER IDENTIFIED WITH FITZGERALD I'D SAY MORE THAN ANY OTHER WRITER.
THE DIFFERENCE IS FITZGERALD WOULD LOOK IN ON THE CANDY STORE WINDOW,
LOOK IN ON THE STOREFRONTS OF THE RICH.
HUNTER WANTED TO SMASH THE WINDOWS.
Wright: HUNTER WAS EXTREMELY SEDUCTIVE.
I WAS VERY ATTRACTED TO HUNTER.
HIS ENERGY WAS JUST PHENOMENAL.
HE WROTE EVERY DAY.
HE WAS GETTING PAID $100 FOR AN ARTICLE OR SOMETHING,
BUT WE WERE VERY POOR.
WHEN I WAS PREGNANT WITH MY SON,
HUNTER SHOT ELK AND I ATE ELK LIVER,
MILK AND SALAD, PERIOD. THAT'S ALL I ATE.
Brinkley: HERE WAS A GUY STRUGGLING.
HE HAD HIS WIFE SONDI WITH HIM.
HE WAS LIVING ON A FREELANCER,
CHECK TO CHECK, BARELY ABLE TO PAY RENT.
SO WHEN HE GOT THE ASSIGNMENT
FROM CAREY MCWILLIAMS OF "THE NATION"
TO WRITE ABOUT THIS PHENOMENON-- HELL'S ANGELS--
IT WAS A BIG DEAL.
Man: "I, Hunter Thompson, am a writer.
Recently, I spent over a year living
in close contact with a notorious
California motorcycle gang which is the basis
of my new book, 'Hell's Angels.'"
- Signed "Hunter Thompson." - ( applause )
Uh, number two, approximately how many members do the Hell's Angels have?
It varies. Anywhere from--
I'd say 100 to 200.
( rock music playing )
Brinkley: HUNTER INFILTRATED THE STORY.
HE CONSIDERED HIMSELF A PHOTOJOURNALIST.
IN HIS EARLY APPLICATIONS FOR JOBS,
HE WAS ALWAYS LOOKING TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHER.
Depp: "THE SIGHT OF A PHOTOGRAPHER INVARIABLY WHIPS THE ANGELS
INTO A KISSING FRENZY. THIS IS A GUARANTEED SQUARE-JOLTER,
AND THE ANGELS ARE GLEEFULLY AWARE OF THE REACTION IT GETS.
'THEY CAN'T STAND IT,' SAYS TERRY.
'IT BLOWS THEIR MINDS EVERY TIME--
ESPECIALLY THE TONGUE BIT.'"
Wolfe: IT IS ONE OF THE BRAVURA PIECES OF REPORTING OF ALL TIME.
HE ACTUALLY, AS THEY SAY, RAN WITH THE ANGELS FOR--
HE WAS EMBEDDED, YOU KNOW?
HE WAS EMBEDDED IN THE HELL'S ANGELS BATTALION.
( rock music playing )
Depp: "THE MENACE IS LOOSE AGAIN.
THE HELL'S ANGELS, THE 100-CARAT HEADLINE,
RUNNING FAST AND LOUD ON THE EARLY-MORNING FREEWAY
LIKE GENGHIS KHAN ON AN IRON HORSE...
A MONSTROUS STEED WITH A FIERY ANUS,
FLAT OUT THROUGH THE EYE OF A BEER CAN AND UP YOUR DAUGHTER'S LEG
WITH NO QUARTER ASKED AND NONE GIVEN."
Brinkley: IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF HUNTER
DEVELOPING HIS STYLE.
IT IS NOT GONZO, IT'S NOT SURREAL.
IT IS STRAIGHT JOURNALISM, BUT IT'S PARTICIPATORY.
Depp: "WEIRD AS IT SEEMS, AS THIS GANG OF COSTUMED HOODLUMS
CONVERGED ON MONTEREY THAT MORNING
THEY WERE ON THE VERGE OF 'MAKING IT BIG,'
AS THE SHOWBIZ PEOPLE SAY,
AND THEY WOULD OWE MOST OF THEIR SUCCESS TO A CURIOUS RAPE MANIA
THAT RIDES ON THE SHOULDER OF AMERICAN JOURNALISM
LIKE SOME JEERING, MASTURBATING RAVEN.
NOTHING GRABS AN EDITOR'S EYE LIKE A GOOD RAPE.
TO THEM, THE APPEARANCE OF THE HELL'S ANGELS
MUST HAVE SEEMED LIKE A WONDERFUL PUBLICITY STUNT."
HELL'S ANGELS ACCUSED OF RAPE AND PERVERSION,
THEFT, NARCOTICS AND VIOLENCE.
AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS,
"THEY WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED TO THREATEN THE LIVES,
THE PEACE AND SECURITY OF HONEST CITIZENS.
HELL'S ANGELS ARE THE BIGGEST
OF THE OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE CLUBS."
OH, SHIT! I JUST CAN'T DO IT.
( engine revs )
Depp: "IN A NATION OF FRIGHTENED DULLARDS
THERE'S ALWAYS A SORRY SHORTAGE OF OUTLAWS,
AND THOSE FEW WHO MAKE THE GRADE ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.
THE HELL'S ANGELS POSE FOR TELEVISION CAMERAMEN
AND ANSWERED QUESTIONS ON RADIO CALL-IN SHOWS.
THEY WERE SOUGHT OUT BY MYSTICS AND POETS,
CHEERED ON BY STUDENT REBELS
AND INVITED TO PARTIES GIVEN BY LIBERALS AND INTELLECTUALS."
Number two, who is the author
that sort of leads the kind of LSD sect out there
in Los-- San Francisco?
Ken Kesey.
Number two, the Merry Pranksters gave a party
for the Hell's Angels-- were you there?
- --that lasted two days? - Yes.
WE'RE GOING OUT ON AN OUTING-- ON A SUNDAY OUTING.
OH, THIS IS LOVELY. YOU KNOW, OUR LITTLE FAMILY.
AND SO WE ENDED UP-- HUNTER SAID,
"OH, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING'S HAPPENING OVER--
LET'S GO JUST KIND OF CHECK IT OUT."
THE BIG BANNERS OUT THERE SAYING
"THE MERRY PRANKSTERS WELCOME THE HELL'S ANGELS."
I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A LOT OF FUN.
JUAN WAS IN THE CAR ASLEEP. EVERYBODY WAS ON ACID.
I WASN'T.HUNTER WASN'T. HE HADN'T TAKEN ACID YET.
AND EVERYBODY IS PRETTY HAPPY AND DANCING
AND THEN WATCHING THIS FIVE-HOUR FILM
OR SOMETHING KESEY HAD PUT TOGETHER.
AND WHEN WE LEFT...
HUNTER SAID, "DID YOU KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THERE?"
AND I SAID, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?"
AND HE SAID, "WELL, THERE WAS A GANGBANG GOING ON."
Hunter: I'm watching it as I was about six feet away.
See from the door, the lights were on,
there was a kind of a filmy curtain over the door.
You could see shadows moving around on the side. If you knew what was happening--
you could interpret the movements of all these shadowy figures
behind this curtain-- silhouettes is what they were.
You could see people getting down on her, other people holding her legs,
and really...
surrealistically horrifying.
Brinkley: THE TAPE RECORDER FOR HUNTER WAS ESSENTIAL.
HE ALWAYS BROUGHT A TAPE RECORDER--
LIKE THOSE FAMOUS-- NOW-- TAPES OF THE HELL'S ANGELS PARTY.
( Hunter speaking )
Brinkley: THOSE TAPES BECAME A BIG PART OF THE BOOK "HELL'S ANGELS,"
BUT HE ALSO LOANED THOSE TAPES TO TOM WOLFE.
WOLFE USED THOSE TAPES
AND EXTRACTED THINGS FROM THEM FOR "THE ELECTRIC KOOL-AID ACID TEST."
Wolfe: I HAD A HARD TIME WITH THE TAPE
ABOUT THE RAPE SCENE AT THE HELL'S ANGELS PARTY.
IT WAS DYNAMITE, FROM A REPORTING POINT OF VIEW,
BUT THE THING WAS, I KNEW WHO THE KEY FIGURES IN THAT WERE.
ONE WAS THE EX-WIFE...
OF NEAL CASSADY.
AND SHE QUITE WILLINGLY...
INVITED THE--
THE ENTIRE CORPS
OF HELL'S ANGELS TO HAVE A GO AT HER.
Wright: IT WASN'T THE KESEY PEOPLE WHO WERE DOING THE GANGBANG.
THEY WERE ABOUT LOVE AND HAPPINESS...
AND TOGETHERNESS AND COMMUNITY...
AND LOVE AND LIGHT. THEY WERE, THE ANGELS WEREN'T.
Depp: "IT WAS ABOUT THIS TIME
THAT MY LONG-STANDING RAPPORT WITH THE ANGELS BEGAN TO DETERIORATE.
FOR NEARLY A YEAR I HAD LIVED IN A WORLD THAT SEEMED, AT FIRST,
LIKE SOMETHING ORIGINAL.
IT WAS OBVIOUS FROM THE BEGINNING
THAT THE MENACE BORE LITTLE RESEMBLANCE TO ITS PUBLICIZED IMAGE.
LATER, AS THEY ATTRACTED MORE AND MORE ATTENTION,
THE MYSTIQUE WAS STRETCHED SO THIN
THAT IT FINALLY BECAME TRANSPARENT.
THE HONEYMOON CAME TO A JANGLED END ON OCTOBER 16th,
WHEN THE HELL'S ANGELS ATTACKED A GET OUT OF VIETNAM DEMONSTRATION
AT THE OAKLAND-BERKELEY BORDER."
Man on TV: The bike rider is Clifford Workman,
treasurer of the Hell's Angels.
He's here to challenge his biographer,
a tense young literary journalist named Hunter Thompson.
What did you think of the book?
Well, I'll tell you, Al
- and Hunter, everybody in this room, - ( audience laughs )
that that book is 60% cheap trash.
This is what happened: Junkie George was beating his own lady.
- Al: Junkie George? - ( audience laughs, applause )
Clifford: Junkie George's dog bit him, right?
- Hunter: I didn't see-- - To me, this is a personal affair.
If a guy wants to beat his wife and his dog bites him,
that's between the three of them.
But there was somebody about 30' to my left
beating his wife to a pulp on the rocks.
If he had been beating her that bad, somebody would have stopped him.
Oh, no.Don't-- don't-- you're kidding me
and you're gonna kid everybody else. Nobody stopped him.
You know he beat his wife up. You just said it, right?
You walked right up to him and you said,
"Only a punk beats his wife and dog."
- You finish it-- - And he said, "Hunter, you want some of this?"
And you said, "No." But you got it anyways.
And when he hit you, three or four others hit you too.
We let them beat him up for a minute,
then we broke it up and told him to get out of there.
He left and got in his car. Well, uh--
he says that he went to the police station
all bloodied-up and they threw him out, which is malarkey.
I mean, but it's part of his style of writing.
Depp: "MY FACE LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN JAMMED
INTO THE SPOKES OF A SPEEDING HARLEY,
AND THE ONLY THING KEEPING ME AWAKE
WAS THE SPASTIC PAIN OF A BROKEN RIB.
IT HAD BEEN A BAD TRIP--
FAST AND WILD IN SOME MOMENTS, SLOW AND DIRTY IN OTHERS,
BUT ON BALANCE IT LOOKED LIKE A BUMMER.
ON MY WAY BACK TO SAN FRANCISCO,
I TRIED TO COMPOSE A FITTING EPITAPH.
I WANTED SOMETHING ORIGINAL,
BUT THERE WAS NO ESCAPING THE ECHO OF MISTAH KURTZ'S FINAL WORDS
FROM THE 'HEART OF DARKNESS':
'THE HORROR! THE HORROR!
EXTERMINATE ALL THE BRUTES!'"
Brinkley: ALTHOUGH "HELL'S ANGELS" ROCKETED HIM
TO NAME RECOGNITION AND SUCCESS,
HE DIDN'T SEE IT HIMSELF AS BEING THE SUCCESSFUL BOOK THAT HE WANTED.
IT DIDN'T SELL ENOUGH FOR HIM,
EVEN THOUGH IT MADE THE BEST-SELLER LIST.
HE DIDN'T MAKE ENOUGH MONEY OFF OF IT.HE FELT RIPPED OFF BY THE PUBLISHER.
HE GOT FRUSTRATED WITH THAT.
HE HAD THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE THE HOME RUN,
BUT WHAT IT DID DO, THAT BOOK MADE HIM REALIZE
THAT THERE WAS A MARKET IN THE FREAK CIRCUS OF THE '60s.
( "It's No Secret" playing )
Brinkley: AND IT BECAME THIS THING GOING ON OUT IN THE BAY AREA
AND HUNTER WAS DEEPLY PART OF IT.
HE USED TO DRIVE HIS BSA LIGHTNING MOTORBIKE
AND GO TO THE MATRIX AND BEFRIENDED JEFFERSON AIRPLANE.
HE HAD A HUGE CRUSH ON GRACE SLICK.
* OH!
* IS IT ANY WONDER WHY I FEEL LIKE *
* MY WHOLE LIFE IS THROUGH? *
* YEAH!
* WHEN I STOP FEELING HOW STRONG MY LOVE IS FOR YOU... *
Jann Wenner: THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WAS A HOTBED
OF LIVE ROCK 'N' ROLL STUFF,
DRUG CULTURE, PSYCHEDELICS, KESEY,
POLITICS, CAMPUS ACTIVISM.
IT WAS MORE ON THE EDGE CULTURALLY
THAN ANY OTHER PLACE IN THE COUNTRY. THERE'S MORE FREEDOM THERE.
"ROLLING STONE" BEGAN AND MERGED ALL THOSE ELEMENTS.
AND WE JUST THOUGHT THERE WAS A TIME FOR A NEW KIND OF POLITICS
AND IT WOULD EMERGE OUT OF THE ROCK 'N' ROLL CONSCIOUSNESS
AND THAT ROCK 'N' ROLL ETHOS AND THAT IDEA.
* TODAY I FEEL LIKE PLEASING YOU *
* MORE THAN BEFORE...
Wright: THE ENERGY WAS JUST PHENOMENAL.
IT WAS LIKE LOSING YOUR IDENTITY
AND BEING JUST KIND OF SUCKED...
INTO WHATEVER, YOU KNOW?
WHATEVER-- WHATEVER THIS WAS,
IT WAS SOME KIND OF MAGICAL SOMETHING OR OTHER.
* ...ALL I WANT TO DO
* TO BE LOVING YOU
* IT'LL ALL BE THERE WHEN MY DREAMS COME TRUE... *
Tim Crouse: HUNTER WAS A ROMANTIC. HUNTER'S UTOPIA,
WHICH HE HAD EXPERIENCED BEFORE I MET HIM,
WAS SAN FRANCISCO IN THE EARLY '60s.
BUT THERE WAS ALWAYS TWO GREAT MORAL PRESSURES--
THE WAR AND CIVIL RIGHTS.
- ( clamoring ) - * TODAY YOU'LL MAKE ME SAY... *
Buchanan: THERE'S BITTERNESS AND NASTINESS TO POLITICS TODAY,
BUT I DON'T SENSE THE SAME ANGER AND RAGE
THAT WE HAD IN THE 1960s--
ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS, RIOTS,
DISORDERS OF RACIAL CONFLICT, THE GENERATIONAL CONFLICT.
AND HUNTER WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT.
* ...ANY MORE THAN ALL I AM *
* WOULD BE A LIE...
Brinkley: THE LAST PERIOD WHERE THERE WAS AN OPTIMISM
IN HUNTER ABOUT AMERICA WERE THE KENNEDYS,
WITH JOHN KENNEDY AND BOBBY KENNEDY.
HUNTER LIKED THAT THEY HAD SUCH HUBRIS.
THEY COULD BE GOOD POLITICIANS BUT PLAY HARD AT MIDNIGHT.
THAT MEANT A LOT. THOSE WERE HIS GUYS.
I WANT THE POLITICS OF HOPE,
BECAUSE I THINK THAT WE CAN DO BETTER IN THIS COUNTRY.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT WE CAN SAY
THAT WE ARE JOYOUS OR THAT WE ARE HAPPY
IF 590 AMERICANS ARE KILLED IN VIETNAM LAST WEEK
AND IF WE HAVE RIOTING IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL.
I THINK THAT WE CAN DO BETTER.
* ...ALL FOR YOU.
( gunshot )
( people screaming )
Depp: "THE DAY AFTER ROBERT KENNEDY DIED
I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE LOCAL RAILWAY EXPRESS OFFICE
SAYING MY WALTHER P-38 AUTOMATIC PISTOL HAD ARRIVED.
WE SHOT IT ONE AFTERNOON, AGREEING THAT IT HAD A VERY SMOOTH ACTION...
AND THEN I SENT IT BACK.
RETURNING THE P-38 SOLVED NOTHING.
IT ONLY POSTPONED THE NECESSITY
OF COMING TO GRIPS WITH MY GUN PROBLEM."
- ( gunshots ) - * HEY, JOE...
* WHERE YOU GOIN' WITH THAT GUN IN YOUR HAND? *
Brinkley: HUNTER SAW GUNS AS ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS IN LIFE.
HE LOVED SHOOTING THEM AND FIRING THEM WHENEVER HE COULD.
* WHERE YOU GOIN' WITH THAT GUN IN YOUR HAND? *
WHEN HE'S AT BIG SUR, HE WOULD GO
WILD-BOAR, WILD-PIG HUNTING WITH A SUBMACHINE GUN.
( gunshots )
Juan Thompson: I HAD A BB GUN WHEN I WAS LIKE SEVEN, PROBABLY.
THOSE ARE SOME OF MY BEST MEMORIES FROM THAT TIME,
BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING WE BOTH ENJOYED DOING,
BUT IT WAS ALSO BECAUSE IT WAS TIME
WE WERE BUILDING OUR RELATIONSHIP
AS A FATHER AND SON, AND NOT JUST AS KIND OF ROOMMATES.
Wenner: THE GUNS-- THEY WEREN'T JUST FOR AMUSEMENT.
HE LIKED THE NOISE, THE VIOLENCE AND THE DESTRUCTION OF IT.
AND HE HAD THAT IN HIS PERSONAL LIFE TOO.
WE HAD A REAL VIOLENT STREAK.
Wright: THE FIRST TIME HE TOOK ACID, HUNTER SAYS,
"SONDI, GET ME THE GUN." I SAID, "I CAN'T GET YOU THE GUN.
I'M TERRIFIED SOMETHING IS GONNA HAPPEN TO JUAN."
AND-- AND HUNTER SAYS,
"YOU GET ME THAT GUN
OR I'M THROWING THIS BOOT THROUGH THE WINDOW."
HE THROWS THE BOOT THROUGH THE WINDOW. ( mimics glass shattering )
Depp: "HAD MY BRAIN TURNED INTO JELLY FROM TOO MUCH ACID?
WHAT WAS I DOING WITH ALL THESE GUNS?
MY ANGST BEGAN TO FESTER
AS THE GUN-CONTROL ARGUMENT RAGED CLOSER TO HOME.
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE BEGAN TELLING EACH OTHER
THAT THE GUN WAS THE ULTIMATE CURE FOR WHAT AILS US...
THE AMERICAN WAY."
Brinkley: BY 1968, HUNTER TAKES ON THIS IDEA
THAT HE'S GONNA BE ABLE TO WRITE ON THE DEATH OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.
AND HUNTER THOUGHT THAT COVERING POLITICS--
'68 WAS GONNA BE THE BOOK.
( rock music playing )
Depp: "I WENT TO CHICAGO AS A JOURNALIST.
MY CANDIDATE HAD BEEN MURDERED IN LOS ANGELES
TWO MONTHS EARLIER."
* COME ON, COME ON, COME ON *
* COME ON
* DIDN'T I MAKE YOU FEEL... *
Crouse: HUNTER WAS IN CHICAGO RIGHT IN THE MIDST OF THE GAS
AND THE BEATINGS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
AND I THINK THAT THAT WAS A MILESTONE EVENT
FOR HUNTER THAT HE NEVER GOT OVER.
AND HE NEVER FORGAVE HUMPHREY WHO WAS THE CANDIDATE,
AND HE NEVER FORGAVE MUSKIE WHO WAS THE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
FOR SUPPORTING MAYOR DALEY AND HIS CHICAGO POLICE.
* TAKE IT, TAKE ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE OF MY HEART NOW, BABY... *
Depp: "I WITNESSED AT LEAST 10 BEATINGS IN CHICAGO
THAT WERE WORSE THAN ANYTHING I EVER SAW THE HELL'S ANGELS DO.
I LEFT IN A STATE OF HYSTERICAL ANGST,
CONVINCED BY WHAT I HAD SEEN
THAT THE AMERICAN DREAM WAS CLUBBING ITSELF TO DEATH."
* IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD... *
Wright: THERE WERE ONLY TEARS TWICE THAT I REMEMBER EVER IN OUR 19 YEARS TOGETHER.
I REMEMBER ONE, WHEN HE CAME BACK FROM THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
AND HE WAS TELLING ME THE STORIES
ABOUT THE PEOPLE BEING BEATEN
AND HE-- YOU KNOW, THE TEARS JUST--
AND THAT WAS VERY-- YOU KNOW.
IT WAS-- HUNTER WAS A MAN THAT DIDN'T CRY.
* AND BABY, DEEP DOWN IN YOUR HEART... *
Wright: AND HE CARED SO MUCH. HUNTER WAS A PATRIOT.
HE KNEW THE CONSTITUTION, HE CARED ABOUT IT,
AND THEN THERE HE WAS IN CHICAGO AND IT'S ALL BEING DESTROYED.
( Janis Joplin shrieks )
* TAKE IT, TAKE ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE... *
Wright: I THINK CHICAGO INSPIRED HIM TO DO--
TO DO MORE, TO GET MORE INVOLVED.
* TAKE ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE OF MY HEART *
- * NOW, DARLING, YEAH YEAH YEAH * - * OH, HAVE A...
Wenner: RIGHT AWAY, RIOTS STARTED-- CHICAGO, '68 TOOK PLACE.
THEN THAT WAS KIND OF A RADICALIZING, GALVANIZING EVENT.
WE WERE ALREADY ESCHEWING MAINSTREAM NOSTALGIA IN POLITICS
SAYING, "LOOK, THE SYSTEM IS TOO RIGGED. POLITICS IS...
FINE, BUT IN SOME OTHER VENUE."
I GOT A LETTER FROM HUNTER OUT OF THE BLUE,
COMPLIMENTING ME ON "ROLLING STONE," HOW MUCH HE LIKED IT.
SO I WROTE HIM BACK AND SAID, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING THESE DAYS?
I'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU IN THE MAGAZINE."
THEN HE MENTIONED HE WAS RUNNING FOR SHERIFF.
SO I SAID, "HOW ABOUT THAT? SOUNDS GREAT."
IT'S THE KIND OF THING WE WOULD RUN TODAY,
YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY RUNNING FOR SHERIFF IN ASPEN, TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE TOWN.
James Salter: Hunter Thompson is a moralist
posing as an immoralist.
Nixon is an immoralist disguised as a moralist.
This is James Salter.
There'll be thieves and auto wrecks in Aspen whoever gets elected,
but Hunter represents something wholly alien
to the other candidates for sheriff--
ideas, and the sympathy
towards the young, generous, grass-oriented society,
which is making the only serious effort
to face the technological nightmare we have created.
The only thing against him is
he is a visionary who wants to cure the world.
George Stranahan: FIRST OF ALL, HE DROVE EVERYBODY BATSHIT NUTS.
HUNTER WAS MY FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR,
THE MAN WHO NEVER PAID HIS RENT, BROKE UP MY MARRIAGE
AND TAUGHT MY CHILDREN TO SMOKE DOPE.
NOW HUNTER WAS OUTRAGEOUS,
BUT THERE WAS SUCH A SORT OF MOVEMENT
THAT THIS GUY MAY BE CRAZY,
BUT BETTER THAT THAN WHITMIRE.
( bell tolling )
Announcer: The American sheriff's job was carved out of the rugged West.
It was a desperately- needed position
of few words, much action, and little praise or glory.
Today the sheriff has reams of responsibility.
But still-- as in the past-- the number-one responsibility
is to protect his people and enforce their laws.
Vote for and elect
Carrol Whitmire for our sheriff.
I THINK A LOT OF PLACES ARE BEYOND THIS KIND OF POLITICS.
WE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING AN EXPERIMENT THAT PEOPLE WERE WATCHING.
Stranahan: HUNTER CAME TO ASPEN, HE HAD MOVED INTO OUR FARM.
HUNTER LIKED TO TALK POLITICS.
I WAS JUST AT THAT AGE OF WAR PROTEST-- 1968.
I WAS BECOMING POLITICAL...
AND SO HUNTER AND I HAD A LOT IN COMMON TO TALK ABOUT.
Bob Braudis: ASPEN THEN WAS A MAGNET FOR INTELLECTUALS
WHO WANTED TO DROP OUT.
AND HUNTER CONVINCED US
THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH EFFECT ON WHAT HAPPENED
IN WASHINGTON DAY TO DAY
AND WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON FROM DAY TO DAY DIDN'T HAVE MUCH EFFECT ON US.
BUT WHAT HAPPENED IN PITKIN COUNTY HAD A VISCERAL,
DAILY, HOURLY EFFECT ON THE WAY WE LIVED HERE.
PEOPLE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT ASPEN WAS A BATTLEGROUND.
ASPEN WAS MORE OF A DISNEYLAND.
HUNTER WAS A VISIONARY. HE UNDERSTOOD MORE ABOUT LAND USE
AND DEVELOPMENT THAN ANY OF US DID.
NOBODY AT THE TIME WAS STANDING UP TO THE BULLDOZERS.
"TENTATIVE PLATFORM, THOMPSON FOR SHERIFF,
ASPEN, COLORADO, 1970:
1-- RIP UP ALL CITY STREETS WITH JACKHAMMERS
AND SOD THE STREETS AT ONCE.
2-- CHANGE THE NAME 'ASPEN' TO 'FAT CITY.'
THIS WOULD PREVENT GREEDHEADS, LAND-RAPERS
AND OTHER HUMAN JACKALS FROM CAPITALIZING ON THE NAME 'ASPEN.'
THESE SWINES SHOULD BE FUCKED, BROKEN,
AND DRIVEN ACROSS THE LAND.
3-- IT WILL BE THE GENERAL PHILOSOPHY
OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT NO DRUG WORTH TAKING
SHOULD BE SOLD FOR MONEY.
MY FIRST ACT AS SHERIFF
WILL BE TO INSTALL ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN A SET OF STOCKS
IN ORDER TO PUNISH DISHONEST DOPE DEALERS
IN A PROPER PUBLIC FASHION."
( "Walk on the Wild Side" playing )
Juan: I WAS ONLY ABOUT SIX AT THE TIME,
BUT LEGEND HAS IT THAT MY FATHER SHAVED HIS HEAD
SO HE COULD SAY, "UNLIKE MY LONG-HAIRED OPPONENT, SHERIFF WHITMIRE."
I JUST WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN OLD ENOUGH
TO REALLY UNDERSTAND PEOPLE'S REACTION
ABOUT THIS CRAZY, BALD, FREAK DRUG-FIEND
WHO WAS ABOUT TO TAKE OVER THE WHOLE POLITICAL MECHANISM.
* HOLLY CAME FROM MIAMI, F.L.A... *
HUNTER THOMPSON IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO HAS THE IMAGINATION
AND INTELLIGENCE TO BE A LAW-ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVE.
ELECT HUNTER THOMPSON SHERIFF.
YOU HAVEN'T BEEN LISTENING!
WHY DOESN'T ANYBODY LISTEN TO ME ANYMORE?!
( screams ) THIS IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!
* HEY, HONEY, TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE... *
( woman laughs, applauds )
Braudis: AT THE START, I THINK IT WAS MORE TO GET A MESSAGE OUT
KNOWING THAT DEFEAT WAS CERTAIN.
THE SERIOUS COMPONENT OF HUNTER'S CAMPAIGN SNOWBALLED
AND, AS THE MOVEMENT GAINED MOMENTUM,
I THINK HUNTER ACTUALLY BELIEVED THAT HE HAD A CHANCE.
AND A LOT OF US THAT WERE SUPPORTING HUNTER SHARED THAT BELIEF.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET TOGETHER A LIST OF ENDORSEMENTS
FOR HUNTER THOMPSON FOR SHERIFF.
Braudis: WE WERE ALL FREAKS--
THE PEOPLE WHO CAME TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF HUNTER--
BUT I THINK OUR BIGGEST ISSUE AT THE TIME WAS THE ENVIRONMENT,
AND A SECONDARY ISSUE
WAS THE ILLEGAL STATUS OF DRUGS.
WHAT IS THAT YOU'RE SMOKING?
THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE MARIJUANA.
( all laugh )
- YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T TELL? - ( laughs )
AN AWFUL LOT OF US WERE SMOKING DOPE
BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT SAID, "THOU SHALT NOT."
WE SAID, "WE SHALL."
MARIJUANA LAWS ARE ONE OF THE REASONS
THAT HAS ENGENDERED THIS LACK OF RESPECT
THAT COPS COMPLAIN ABOUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
WHEN YOU GET A WHOLE GENERATION THAT GROWS UP
AS FELONS, THEY KNOW THE LAW IS RIDICULOUS
AND THEY'RE TOLD US ALL THIS GIBBERISH ABOUT IT--
"IT DRIVES YOU CRAZY AND MAKES YOUR BRAIN SOFT, AND YOUR FEET FALL OFF."
( all laughing )
EVEN THE POLICE KNOW IT'S A SILLY LAW.
IT'S TIME THAT WE EITHER BRIDGE THAT CHASM
WITH SOME KIND OF REALISTIC LAW ENFORCEMENT OR ELSE--
I DON'T THINK IT'S GONNA BE BRIDGED IN THIS COUNTRY. WE'RE GOING TO REVOLUTION.
Wright: I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF HUNTER'S
GREATEST TIMES, MYSELF.
HE HAD THE PASSION TO MOVE PEOPLE,
CHANGE PEOPLE'S THINKING,
MAKE THEM ACT
AND BRING THEM OUT-- NOT JUST DEFY AUTHORITY
AND TAKE AS MANY DRUGS AS YOU WANT,
BUT TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TRYING TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM,
MAKE THE SYSTEM WORK
AND MAKE THE SYSTEM GOOD.
HE HAD THAT IN HIM.
Whitmire: IF HE WAS ELECTED SHERIFF, I CAN FORESEE
THAT YOU WOULD HAVE AN INFLUX OF WHAT WE CALL THE HIPPIES.
AND I THINK IF THIS HAPPENED,
IT WOULD ACTUALLY DESTROY ASPEN.
Man: WHEN YOU PUBLICLY COME OUT WITH STATEMENTS
OF MESCALINE, MARIJUANA--
MY GOOD GOD!
THIS ISN'T THE WAY OF AMERICAN LIFE.
* YOU WALK INTO THE ROOM *
* WITH YOUR PENCIL IN YOUR HAND *
* YOU SEE SOMEBODY NAKED *
* AND YOU SAY, "WHO IS THAT, MAN?" *
THEY ARE RAPING OUR FORESTS.SOME OF THEM ARE LIVING LIKE ANIMALS.
* BECAUSE SOMETHING IS HAPPENING HERE *
* BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS *
* DO YOU, MR. JONES? *
HUNTER THOMPSON...
HAS NO GRIP ON REALITY. I THINK HE'S PSYCHOTIC.
I THINK IF THERE WAS EVER GONNA BE ANY EXCESSES
WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT,
I'D LOOK FOR MORE OUT OF HUNTER THOMPSON THAN CARROL WHITMIRE.
* AND YOU GO WATCH THE GEEK... *
Braudis: HE WAS A REDNECK AND VERY POPULAR
WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CONTROLLED THIS VALLEY THEN.
THEY DIDN'T WANT A SMART SHERIFF.
THEY WANTED PEOPLE WHO WOULD DO THEIR BIDDING.
* BE SUCH A FREAK...
I'M NOT AT ALL EMBARRASSED AT THE USE OF THE WORD "FREAK."
I THINK THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING, IN THIS COUNTRY TODAY
IT'S A VERY HONORABLE DESIGNATION. I'M PROUD OF IT.
* AND SOMETHING IS HAPPENING HERE... *
Hunter: WE HAVE A SITUATION HERE, AN ISOLATED TOWN,
WITH A VERY UNUSUAL KIND OF POPULATION.
WE DO HAVE A FREAK POWER BASE. IT'S UNDENIABLE.
WE HAVE ABOUT 1,000 VOTES THAT WOULDN'T--
IF I WENT OUT THERE AND WALKED THROUGH THE STREETS NAKED WITH A BOMB IN EACH HAND,
( laughs ) THEY WOULD STILL VOTE FOR ME.
Braudis: ONE OF HUNTER'S "FREAK POWER" TOOLS
WAS TO REGISTER PEOPLE WHO HAD NEVER VOTED BEFORE.
- OKAY, WHERE'S THIS VOTING PLACE? - ( laughs )
- HUNTER, 182; WHITMIRE, 137. - ( phone rings )
- RICKS, 10. - YEAH!RIGHT!
( all cheering )
Woman: ONE COULD DO IT, ONE COULD DO IT.
THE SUBURBS-- THE SILENT MAJORITY.
- OKAY, HERE'S THE TOTALS. - Man: HE'S NOT AVAILABLE RIGHT AT THIS SECOND.
WHITMIRE, 204;
- HUNTER, 173. - ( murmuring )
OKAY, UH...
UNFORTUNATELY, IT PROVED WHAT I SET OUT TO PROVE--
AND IT WAS MORE A POLITICAL POINT THAN A LOCAL ELECTION--
- THAT THE AMERICAN DREAM REALLY IS --. - ( bleeps )
VERY HARD TO HAVE A BALDHEADED LUNATIC--
I'LL DO THAT FOR THE CAMERAS. HEY, YOU FELLOWS.
Man: ALL RIGHT!
AND WE MADE A MISTAKE IN THINKING...
THAT THE TOWN WAS READY FOR AN HONEST POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.
Depp: "WE FRIGHTEN THE BASTARDS SO BADLY
THAT ON ELECTION DAY THEY ROLLED PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS--
EVEN ON STRETCHERS-- INTO THE POLLING PLACES TO VOTE AGAINST US.
AND WHEN I LOST, THEY INSTANTLY GOT DOWN TO MAKING SURE
THAT NOBODY LIKE ME COULD EVER RUN FOR OFFICE AGAIN."
WE RAN THAT STORY,
HAD THE INFAMOUS POSTER OF A TWO-THUMBED HAND
HOLDING A PEYOTE BUTTON.
HE CAME IN AND TALKED TO AN EDITOR NAMED JOHN LOMBARDI.
AFTERWARDS, LOMBARDI, WHO WAS FROM PHILADELPHIA
AND WAS NOT QUITE USED TO THE WEST COAST CRAZY--
HE SAID, "YOU KNOW, THAT HUNTER THOMPSON IS WEIRD.
HE'S REALLY WEIRD.
HE CAME IN WITH A BOX FULL OF WIGS AND HATS.
HE WAS TAKING THEM OFF AND PUTTING THEM ON
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CONVERSATION."
( "Sympathy for the Devil" playing )
* PLEASE ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF *
* I'M A MAN OF WEALTH AND TASTE... *
Wenner: RALPH IS CRAZIER THAN HUNTER EVER WAS.
WHEREAS HUNTER COULD ALWAYS PULL BACK FROM THE EDGE,
RALPH WAS A TRUE BELIEVER. AND IF IT WAS TIME
TO TAKE THE FUCKING THING DOWN, RALPH WAS PREPARED
TO GO IN LIKE GUY FAWKES AND BLOW UP PARLIAMENT.
AND SO WE HAD THIS PURITY OF VISION,
AND HUNTER SAW THAT.
I KNOW YOU FROM SOMEWHERE. I WONDER WHERE.
* PLEASED TO MEET YOU... *
HAVE I SEEN YOU SOMEWHERE BEFORE?
ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME? ARE YOU LISTENING?
PLEASE!
Stewardess: On behalf of Rocky Mountain Airways and your flight crew,
we'd like to thank you for flying with us today.
Have a pleasant stay in Aspen
or wherever your final destination might be.
Steadman: I THINK WHAT HE SAW IN THIS CONNECTION
WAS SOMEBODY THAT SOMEHOW SAW THE THING IN PICTURES
AS HE SAW IT IN WORDS. AND THAT SEEMED TO ME
TO BE PART OF THE WHOLE CHEMISTRY, OF OUR CHEMISTRY,
THAT MADE GONZO POSSIBLE.
HERE I GO.
Perry: I'VE SEEN THE ILLUSTRATIONS STEADMAN WAS DOING
BEFORE HE WORKED WITH HUNTER.
HE WAS MUCH MORE CONVENTIONAL BEFORE HUNTER GOT AHOLD OF HIM.
HUNTER TOLD ME HE LIKED STEADMAN'S STUFF,
SO HE ASKED HIM TO HELP HIM COVER THE KENTUCKY DERBY
FOR A MAGAZINE CALLED "SCANLAN'S."
AND RALPH TOLD ME AS SOON AS HE GOT OFF THE AIRPLANE,
HUNTER GAVE HIM SOME PSILOCYBIN AND HIS LIFE CHANGED.
- COME ON, BUDDY. - COME ON, HEY! HUNTER!
* WHEN AFTER ALL IT WAS YOU AND ME... *
SO NICE TO SEE YOU.
Wright: RALPH-- WHEN HE FIRST MET HUNTER,
HE'D NEVER DONE ANY DRUGS.
HE DRANK, BUT HE'D NEVER DONE ANYTHING HALLUCINOGENIC.
AND SO HERE COMES HUNTER, HE GIVES HIM MESCALINE
AND HE LOSES IT.
YOU KNOW, RALPH LOSES IT.
Steadman: I WAS A CHOIRBOY--
YOU KNOW, DECENT, INNOCENT ABROAD.
YOU KNOW HOW THINGS ARE.
AND SO I GUESS IT WAS ATTRACTIVE,
THAT KIND OF RACINESS.
* OH, YEAH
* GET DOWN, BABY...
Steadman: I THINK THE BIRTH OF GONZO HAPPENED
WHEN THE EVIL CAME OUT OF ME IN THE DRAWINGS.
Depp: "UNLIKE MOST OF THE OTHERS IN THE PRESS BOX,
WE DIDN'T GIVE A HOOT IN HELL WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON THE TRACK.
WE HAD COME TO WATCH THE REAL BEASTS PERFORM.
WHEN THE CROWD STOOD TO FACE THE FLAG
AND SING 'MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME,'
STEADMAN FACED THE CROWD AND SKETCHED FRANTICALLY.
THOUSANDS OF RAVING, STUMBLING DRUNKS
GETTING ANGRIER AND ANGRIER AS THEY LOSE MORE AND MORE MONEY."
Wolfe: IN THAT STORY, YOU GET ALL OF THE ATTITUDES
TO THE DERBY, AND YOU NEVER GET TO THE DERBY.
YOU'RE THERE TO-- HE SAID TO COME TO THE DERBY,
AND YOU GET ALL THE DRUNK SOUTHERNERS,
YOU GET ALL THE WEIRD SOCIALITES,
THE WEIRD BOOKIES, THE HANGERS-ON.
Depp: "IT WAS A FACE I'D SEEN A THOUSAND TIMES
AT EVERY DERBY I'D BEEN TO.
I SAW IT IN MY HEAD AS THE MASK OF THE WHISKEY GENTRY--
THE INEVITABLE RESULT OF TOO MUCH INBREEDING."
Hunter: FIRST, I'D REALIZED I WAS DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
A FRIEND OF MINE, HE WROTE ME A NOTE SAYING
"THAT DERBY PIECE WAS PURE GONZO."
AND I THOUGHT, "WELL, IF THAT'S WHAT IT WAS..."
I THOUGHT IT WAS A BRUTAL FAILURE.
I'D BOTCHED MY ASSIGNMENT, YOU KNOW?
IT WAS ONE OF MY WORST FAILURES
AND I GOT THIS ONSLAUGHT OF MAIL-- MAIL, CALLS--
SAYING I MADE A GREAT BREAKTHROUGH IN JOURNALISM.
WELL, CHRIST, IF I MADE IT--
AS A BREAKTHROUGH, WE'VE GOTTA CALL IT SOMETHING.
SO I LIKED THE WORD "GONZO," AND IT SEEMED TO ME WHAT I WAS DOING--
KIND OF NICE AND CRAZY, LIKE ZEN. GONZO.
* HOPE YOU GUESS MY NAME... *
- I'M EDWARD. - Steadman: HE HAS A BIRD CALLED EDWARD.
HE'S SUCH A MARVELOUS CHARACTER.
I THINK HUNTER TORMENTED IT, BUT IT WAS KIND OF A TWO-WAY AFFECTION.
HUNTER WOULD USE IT, I THINK, TO BOUNCE OFF,
TO BRING INTO THE STORY
HOW HE WAS FEELING ABOUT IT, WHO WAS THE BIRD.
I SUPPOSE THAT AT SOME POINT I, IN A WAY, BECAME THE BIRD.
SPEAK UP, EDWARD. SPEAK UP! SPEAK UP! TALK TO ME!
HE BANGED THE CAGE-- BANG BANG BANG BANG!
"EDWARD. IT'S ME, EDWARD.
I'M COMING TO GET YOU, EDWARD."
HE'D OPEN THE CAGE, AND HE'D SAY, "EDWARD, THERE IS NO BIRD GOD
THAT'S GONNA HELP YOU NOW, EDWARD."
AND THIS BIRD'S GOING... ( mimics bird )
( squawking )
Steadman: I FEEL LIKE EDWARD SOMETIMES...
NOW, WE'RE GOING TO TALK, EDWARD.
Steadman: ...HOLDING ME LIKE A BIRD,
AND I'M TRYING TO BITE MY WAY OUT OF IT.
I NEVER FELT FEAR
WHEN HE WAS AT THE WHEEL.
THERE'S NO HOLES OVER HERE.
- OOH! - THIS IS A BIG BOX.
NO WONDER WHY I DON'T BUY AMERICAN CARS. GOD DAMN IT.
MOVE OVER, I'M GONNA KILL SOMEBODY! YOU'RE TOO SMALL!
- I WANT TO KILL SOMEBODY A LOT BIGGER THAN YOU! - ( tires screeching )
- WHAT'S THE SPEED LIMIT? - 70. OH MY GOD, IT'S 75.
HOLY SHIT. NO WONDER HE'S GOING--
Duke's voice: WE WERE SOMEWHERE AROUND BARSTOW,
ON THE EDGE OF THE DESERT, WHEN THE DRUGS BEGAN TO TAKE HOLD.
SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE ROAR ALL AROUND US
AND THE SKY WAS FULL OF WHAT LOOKED LIKE HUGE BATS,
ALL SWOOPING AND SCREECHING AND DIVING AROUND THE CAR.
AND A VOICE WAS SCREAMING, "HOLY JESUS, WHAT ARE THESE GODDAMN ANIMALS?!"
( yelling softly )
( screeches )
DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?HUH?
NEVER MIND.
- IT'S YOUR TURN TO DRIVE. - * EVERYBODY'S DANCING... *
Duke's voice: "NO POINT IN MENTIONING THESE BATS," I THOUGHT.
"THE POOR BASTARD WILL SEE THEM SOON ENOUGH."
Wenner: "FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS"-- IT STARTS OFF LIKE A ROCKET.
"WE WERE SOMEWHERE ON THE EDGE OF BARSTOW
WHEN THE DRUGS BEGAN TO TAKE HOLD."
WELL, THAT JUST GRABS YOU-- DAMN-- RIGHT THERE,
THE DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUNK WHAT WAS IN THE TRUNK--
ALL THE DRUGS, THE SALT SHAKERS
FULL OF MESCALINE, COCAINE-- ON AND ON AND ON.
IT WAS MAD GENIUS STUFF.
Duke's voice: WE HAD TWO BAGS OF GRASS,
75 PELLETS OF MESCALINE,
FIVE SHEETS OF HIGH-POWERED BLOTTER ACID,
- A SALT SHAKER HALF-FULL OF COCAINE... - ( bat screeching )
...A PINT OF RAW ETHER, AND TWO DOZEN AMYLS.
NOT THAT WE NEEDED ALL THAT FOR THE TRIP,
BUT ONCE YOU GET LOCKED INTO A SERIOUS DRUG COLLECTION,
THE TENDENCY IS TO PUSH IT AS FAR AS YOU CAN.
* DON'T MATTER WHERE YOU COME FROM... *
Radio host: A House subcommittee report
says illegal drugs killed 160 American GIs last year,
40 of them in Vietnam. Drugs--
- * One toke over the line, sweet Jesus... * - ONE TOKE, MAN!
* ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE
* SITTIN' DOWNTOWN IN A RAILWAY STATION *
* ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE... *
Wenner: THROUGH ALL THIS TIME, HE'S TRAVELING WITH OSCAR ACOSTA.
THEY WENT THERE AND HAD THIS DRUG RAMPAGE.
- I FOUND SOME GOOD GRASS FOR $12 A LID. - Hunter: GOOD.
- I JUST ORDERED TWO LIDS. I'LL GET IT TOMORROW. - GOD BLESS YOU.
Wenner: HUNTER'S RAOUL DUKE-- THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK--
WE PUBLISHED WHATEVER WAS PUBLISHED IN "ROLLING STONE."
IT WAS PUBLISHED AS "BY RAOUL DUKE."
OSCAR TRANSMOGRIFIES FROM OSCAR ZETA ACOSTA,
CRUSADING CHICANO ATTORNEY, INTO DR. GONZO.
* I FELT THE JOY AND I LEARNED ABOUT THE PAIN *
* THEN MY MAMA SAID...
Laila Nabulsi: RAOUL DUKE AND DR. GONZO
WERE HUNTER THOMPSON AND OSCAR ACOSTA.
HE JUST USED THAT AS A COVER.
YOU HAVE THESE SORT OF ANTIHEROES.
IT'S "BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID."
IT'S JUST THE NEXT VERSION IN A WAY.
THEY'RE OUTLAWS. THESE GUYS WERE FIGHTING
AND THEY REALLY WERE IN REAL LIFE.
OSCAR ACOSTA WAS USING THE LAW
AND THE BROWN POWER MOVEMENT
AND HUNTER WAS FIGHTING WITH THE PEN AND USING JOURNALISM.
SO THEY REALLY WERE WARRIORS OF THEIR GENERATION.
* ...IN A RAILWAY STATION, ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE *
* ONE TOKE, ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE. *
Brinkley: WHEN HUNTER WENT TO LAS VEGAS,
HE WAS ON AN ASSIGNMENT FOR "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED"
TO WRITE ABOUT THIS MOTORCYCLE RACE.
THEY ONLY WANTED A VERY BRIEF, ALMOST LIKE A LITTLE BOX ABOUT THE RACE.
HE DELIVERED THIS SCREED THAT WENT ON FOR ABOUT 60 PAGES
DETAILING THE DESERT AND EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED.
AND IT HAD IN IT A LITTLE BIT OF THAT
WILD, DRUGGY...
FEEL THAT THE FINAL "FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS" HAD.
Duke's voice: IGNORE THIS TERRIBLE DRUG. PRETEND IT'S NOT HAPPENING.
UH... HI THERE! ( groans )
MY NAME...
UH...
- RAOUL DUKE. - YOUR SUITE ISN'T READY YET, BUT...
( hisses, voice distorts ) SOMEONE WAS LOOKING FOR YOU.
( yells ) NO! WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING YET. MOVE!
I CAN HANDLE THIS.
AT THAT POINT THERE WAS STILL
KIND OF THAT TIMOTHY LEARY APPROACH TO PSYCHEDELICS
GOING AROUND, WHERE IT'S THIS VERY PIOUS THING.
YOU SAT ON A PERSIAN RUG AND LISTENED TO INDIAN MUSIC.
THERE HAD BEEN VERY LITTLE IN THE WAY
OF ACTUALLY DEALING WITH THE FACT THAT WHEN YOU'RE STONED ON PSYCHEDELICS,
YOU'RE OFTEN JUST WAY OUT OF CONTROL
AND YOU DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'RE GONNA HANDLE THINGS.
AND HUNTER MADE THAT HIS REAL TOPIC.
Depp: "WHAT LEARY TOOK DOWN WITH HIM
WAS THE CENTRAL ILLUSION OF A WHOLE LIFESTYLE
THAT HE HELPED CREATE--
A GENERATION OF PERMANENT CRIPPLES,
FAILED SEEKERS, WHO NEVER UNDERSTOOD
THE ESSENTIAL OLD-MYSTIC FALLACY OF THE ACID CULTURE:
THE DESPERATE ASSUMPTION THAT SOMEBODY OR AT LEAST SOME FORCE
IS TENDING THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL."
Woman: I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I'M STARTING TO FEEL THAT DRINK.
- PEANUTS, MAN. - OH, GOD! OH, GOD.
TWO CUBA LIBRES WITH BEER AND MESCAL ON THE SIDE.
Duke's voice: TERRIBLE THINGS WERE HAPPENING ALL AROUND US.
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO WALK IN THIS MUCK-- NO FOOTING AT ALL.
Perry: AT LAST THERE WAS A VOCABULARY FOR TALKING ABOUT PSYCHEDELICS,
AND IT WAS ALSO AN EARLY CLUE TO THE NEW DIRECTION--
MORE AND MORE CRAZINESS FROM HUNTER. OF COURSE, HE WAS HIGH ANYWAY.
I NEVER SAW THE GUY WITHOUT EITHER A CAN OF BUD
OR A BOTTLE OF WILD TURKEY IN HIS HAND.
HE DRANK A BOTTLE OF BOURBON A DAY,
AND THAT WAS ON TOP OF ALL THE PILLS HE WAS TAKING,
SO HE WAS JUST CONSTANTLY PUSHING THE LIMIT OF CONSCIOUSNESS.
( reptiles roaring )
Duke's voice: I WAS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A FUCKING REPTILE ZOO
AND SOMEBODY WAS GIVING BOOZE TO THESE GODDAMN THINGS.
IT WON'T BE LONG NOW BEFORE THEY TEAR US TO SHREDS!
( roars )
( yells ) PLEASE!
TELL ME ABOUT THE FUCKING GOLF SHOES!
All: HUH?
THE REJECTION BY "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED" INFURIATED HIM.
AND IT WAS ONLY AT THAT POINT THAT HE STARTED REALIZING,
LIKE, "EUREKA! CHICAGO MAY NOT BE
WHERE THE DEATH OF THE AMERICAN DREAM IS.
IT'S LAS VEGAS."
( Hunter vocalizes )
* OOH YES!
( vocalizes )
* OOH YES!
* THESE LONG STRANGE NIGHTS
* THESE LONG STRANGE NIGHTS... *
Wenner: HUNTER HAD RENTED A CADILLAC AND WANTED ME TO PAY FOR IT.
I SAID, "NO," YOU KNOW? "I'M NOT PAYING FOR THE RENT OF A CADILLAC."
AND HE WAS LIKE, "WELL, I CAN'T COVER THE GODDAMN AMERICAN DREAM
IN A VOLKSWAGEN. WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
AND UM...
YOU KNOW, OF COURSE THAT'S QUITE TRUE.
( Steadman vocalizes )
* DRIVE YOUR STAKE
* THROUGH A DARKENED HEART *
* IN A RED MERCEDES BENZ... *
Depp: "BREAKDOWN ON PARADISE BLVD."
"AT THIS POINT IN THE CHRONOLOGY,
DR. DUKE APPEARS TO HAVE BROKEN DOWN COMPLETELY.
THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT IS SO SPLINTERED
THAT WE WERE FORCED TO SEEK OUT THE ORIGINAL TAPE RECORDING
AND TRANSCRIBE IT VERBATIM."
Hunter: TESTING-- ONE, TWO.
CLOSING. OKAY, IT IS NOW 11:30 A.M.
Depp: "THE TRANSCRIPTION BEGINS SOMEWHERE
ON THE NORTHEAST OUTSKIRTS OF LAS VEGAS--
ZOOMING ALONG PARADISE ROAD IN THE WHITE WHALE."
( Hunter speaking )
( Acosta speaking )
( Hunter speaking )
( Acosta speaking )
( Hunter speaks )
- HELLO. - MAY I HELP YOU?
- YEAH.YOU HAVE TACOS HERE? - MM-HMM.
BUT THEY'RE FIVE FOR A DOLLAR?
I'LL TAKE FIVE OF THEM.
DO YOU WANT ANYTHING TO DRINK?
BEER.NO, I HAVE BEER IN THE CAR--
TONS OF IT-- THE WHOLE BACK SEAT'S LOADED WITH IT.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM.
WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS SOMEWHERE IN THIS AREA, BUT--
- THE AMERICAN DREAM? - YEAH, THE AMERICAN DREAM.
- I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING-- GO TO PARADISE. - IS THAT IT?
WE'RE HERE LOOKING FOR IT BECAUSE THEY SENT US OUT HERE,
ALL THE WAY FROM SAN FRANCISCO, TO LOOK FOR IT.
THAT'S WHY THEY GAVE US THAT WHITE CADILLAC.
THEY FIGURED THAT WE COULD CATCH UP WITH IT IN THAT.
HEY, LUKE, DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE AMERICAN DREAM IS?
Acosta: SHE'S ASKING HIM.
- WHAT IS IT? - THAT'S WHAT WE DON'T KNOW.
WE WERE SENT OUT HERE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO LOOK FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM.
NOW ARE YOU GUYS SERIOUS?! BECAUSE--
Acosta: NO, LOOK AT THE CAR. I MEAN, DO I LOOK LIKE--
COULD THAT BE THE OLD PSYCHIATRISTS' CLUB? IT WAS A DISCOTHEQUE PLACE.
ALL WE WERE TOLD WAS, "GO TILL YOU FIND THE AMERICAN DREAM.
TAKE THIS WHITE CADILLAC
AND GO FIND THE AMERICAN DREAM.
IT'S SOMEWHERE IN THE LAS VEGAS AREA."
ARE YOU TAKING PICTURES OF IT OR--
- NO NO NO, PICTURES, JUST-- - SOMEBODY JUST SENT YOU ON A GOOSE CHASE.
IT'S SORT OF A WILD GOOSE CHASE MORE OR LESS, YEAH.
Woman: IT HAS TO BE THE OLD PSYCHIATRISTS'.
BUT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HANG OUT THERE
IS A BUNCH OF PUSHERS, PEDDLERS,
- UPPERS-AND-DOWNERS AND ALL THAT STUFF. - MAYBE THAT'S IT.
- DOPERS. - COULD BE IT.
I THINK THIS PLACE, THE WAY YOU'RE DESCRIBING IT--
I THINK-- YOU KNOW, MAYBE THAT'S IT.
( "Get Together" playing )
Wenner: HUNTER SAID, YOU KNOW, VEGAS IS THE CITY
THAT WAS THE DEATH OF WHAT HE THOUGHT
WAS THE AMERICAN DREAM. IN THAT FAMOUS SCENE,
HE SEES THAT OPPORTUNITY AND POSSIBILITY THAT WAS REPRESENTED BY THE '60s.
"THE WAVE ROLLS BACK
AND," HE SAID, "ONCE FOR A BEAUTIFUL MOMENT THERE,
- WE THOUGHT WE HAD IT." - * IT FEELS THE WAY WE DIE... *
Duke's voice: SAN FRANCISCO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE '60s
WAS A VERY SPECIAL TIME AND PLACE TO BE A PART OF,
BUT NO EXPLANATION,
NO MIX OF WORDS OR MUSIC OR MEMORIES
CAN TOUCH THAT SENSE OF KNOWING THAT YOU WERE THERE
AND ALIVE IN THAT CORNER OF TIME IN THE WORLD,
WHATEVER IT MEANT.
* AND YOU MAY NOT KNOW WHY... *
Duke's voice: THERE WAS MADNESS IN ANY DIRECTION, AT ANY HOUR.
YOU COULD STRIKE SPARKS ANYWHERE.
THERE WAS A FANTASTIC UNIVERSAL SENSE
THAT WHATEVER WE WERE DOING WAS RIGHT,
THAT WE WERE WINNING.
AND THAT, I THINK, WAS THE HANDLE...
I have seen... the promised land. I may not get there with you...
Duke's voice: ...THAT SENSE OF INEVITABLE VICTORY
OVER THE FORCES OF OLD AND EVIL.
NOT IN ANY MEAN OR MILITARY SENSE;
WE DIDN'T NEED THAT.
OUR ENERGY WOULD SIMPLY PREVAIL.
WE HAD ALL THE MOMENTUM.
WE WERE RIDING THE CREST OF A HIGH AND BEAUTIFUL WAVE.
We, as a people, will get to the promised land!
Duke's voice: SO NOW, LESS THAN FIVE YEARS LATER,
YOU CAN GO UP ON A STEEP HILL
IN LAS VEGAS AND LOOK WEST