AND WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF EYES
YOU CAN ALMOST SEE THE HIGH-WATER MARK,
THAT PLACE WHERE THE WAVE FINALLY BROKE...
- AND ROLLED BACK. - ( gunshot )
Martin Luther King was shot and was killed tonight.
- ( gunshot ) - ( women scream )
Nabulsi: IT'S AMAZING TO THINK THAT IN 1971
HE ALREADY SAW THAT FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF THE '60s,
WHICH IS REALLY BITTERSWEET.
AND I THINK FOR HUNTER IT WAS BITTERSWEET,
SO I THINK SPEECH SORT OF ENCAPSULATES THAT.
I HAVEN'T READ ANYTHING ELSE ON THAT GENERATION,
THAT SUBJECT THAT MOVES ME AS MUCH.
I FELT IT WAS SO IMPORTANT.
TO ME, IT WAS THE DRIVING THING
THAT MADE ME WANNA DO THE MOVIE.
WELL, I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF IT--
THAT ISN'T ONE OF THE BEST FUCKING THINGS I'VE EVER WRITTEN--
TO TURN IT INTO SOME KIND OF A STUPID CARTOON SHOW--
Woman: IT'S ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT ANYBODY'S EVER WRITTEN.
I JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE A VERY HIGH AFFECTION
FOR THAT ONE PIECE AND SO DO OTHER PEOPLE.
Nabulsi: BEFORE TERRY GILLIAM WAS HIRED TO DIRECT THE FILM,
THERE WAS ANOTHER DIRECTOR, BUT THINGS DIDN'T WORK OUT
WHEN HE WANTED TO PUT THIS ANIMATED SEQUENCE
IN THE WAVE SPEECH OF THIS LITTLE HUNTER ON A WAVE OF BONES.
YOU CAN SEE THAT I MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT EDGY
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PUTTING IT IN A CARTOON FORM
WITH ME ON SOME KIND OF TIDAL WAVE
ACROSS SOME IMAGINARY MICKEY MOUSE DESERT.
Man: YOU'VE BEEN PUT IN A CARTOON FORM ALREADY.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU'VE PUBLISHED A NOVEL WITH CARTOONS.
- I HIRED RALPH TO DO SOME DRAWINGS. - AND THEY'RE GREAT.
- No no no no. - You're really getting me angry.
Nabulsi: I KNOW HUNTER WELL ENOUGH
THAT EVEN IF HE WAS MAD, I'M NOT TERRIFIED
AND I KNOW HOW TO GET THROUGH IT,
BUT I WAS JUST SORT OF SHOCKED
THAT IT HAD GONE SO AWRY.
Hunter on TV: Just don't fucking go and make it a cartoon!
All right, we're having a little problem here
with your goddamn stupid fucking cartoons in this thing.
If you think you're in charge of this movie,
we're gonna have a real problem right now.
IF YOU WANT WAR-- HERE WE GO, BABY--
THERE'S GONNA BE A NASTY FUCKING WAR.
YEAH, BUT I DON'T LIKE YOU TURNING ON ME AT THE END.
I MUST SAY I DON'T LIKE THAT AT ALL.
Hunter: WHAT SHOULD I HAVE SAID?
"NO, I'VE KNOWN LAILA FOR MANY YEARS...
- ( all laughing ) - ...AND SHE WOULD NEVER SAY THAT."
- Man #2: FUCK. - HE HAD A KIND OF OVER-THE-TOP
DRAMATIC WAY OF BEING.
YEAH, I'LL TALK TO HUNTER NOW. YEAH, OKAY.
HUNTER, HOW ARE YA?
Wenner: HUNTER ALWAYS HAD TO HAVE A RUNNING CRISIS.
GOING ON OF SOME TYPE OF OTHER--
TO ANIMATE HIM, TO GET HIM GOING.
WHAT DISEASE? I MEAN, DO YOU-- IS IT A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS THING?
BRAIN-- BRAIN DAMAGE.
I SEE.
Jimmy Buffet: HUNTER DID EVERYTHING FOR EFFECT.
HE WAS NOT EVER HAPPY, I DON'T BELIEVE,
WHEN THINGS WERE STABLE AND TRANQUIL.
Crouse: HUNTER WAS A FORCE OF NATURE.
HUNTER WOULD SIT
VERY STILL AND VERY STRAIGHT
WITH HIS ARMS UP LIKE THIS, WAITING.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, HE WOULD GET A JOLT AND HE WOULD TYPE.
HE ALSO HAD DEADLINES,
AND HUNTER NEVER MET A DEADLINE.
HE WAS COMPLETELY BEHIND DEADLINE.
HE HADN'T WRITTEN A WORD AND JANN WAS CALLING AND SCREAMING.
HUNTER WAS, AT THAT TIME, CARRYING AROUND THE MOJO WIRE...
Announcer: Just insert the document--
...WHICH WAS A SUITCASE-SIZED PORTABLE TRANSMISSION MACHINE.
Announcer: In just six minutes or less,
an exact copy of the document
can be received anywhere in the country.
HE SAID, "I'VE GOTTA DO THE STORY." I SAID, "YOU HAVEN'T WRITTEN THE STORY."
"IT DOESN'T MATTER. JUST-- WHEN I TELL YOU TO,
JUST TAKE THE PLUG AND UNPLUG IT--
IN AND OUT-- ON THE MACHINE."
HE CALLED UP "ROLLING STONE" OFFICES,
"WELL, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING."
THE ENTIRE PLACE IS SHUT DOWN
BECAUSE EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DONE EXCEPT THESE FOUR PAGES
- YOU'VE BEEN HOLDING FOR HUNTER. - I WAS USUALLY THE GUY,
AT 2:00 OR 3:00 IN THE MORNING,
WHO HAD TO BE THERE TO GET THE FEED FROM HUNTER.
HE TOOK THE FAX MACHINE, HELD THE PHONE LIKE THIS AND DESTROYED IT.
AND THEN HE WENT INTO THIS RAVE
ABOUT SOME EDITOR ON THE OTHER END,
THEN HUNG THE PHONE UP AND WENT TO THE BAR.
Perry: JANN WAS GENERALLY SO HAPPY WITH THE KIND OF STUFF
THAT HUNTER WAS TURNING IN THAT IT DIDN'T MATTER.
IT WAS JUST MERELY A DAMN INCONVENIENCE FOR US.
Young Wenner: THE EDITOR'S NOTE SAYS
"AFTER LONG, HEAVY AND OCCASIONALLY BRUTAL NEGOTIATIONS,
DR. THOMPSON IS BACK ON THE PAYROLL.
HIS GIBBERISH WILL APPEAR REGULARLY
IN AN UNPREDICTABLE LENGTH ON A WIDE VARIETY OF SUBJECT MATTER.
WE HAVE TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN HIM, FOR GOOD OR ILL."
Wenner: AFTER "VEGAS," IT WAS CLEAR
WHAT AN ENORMOUS TALENT HUNTER WAS,
AND, WITH THE ENERGY AND THE REPORTING LEVEL,
HE WAS GOING TO BE BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE AT "ROLLING STONE."
WOULD YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PLACE TO PUBLISH YOUR STUFF
IF IT WASN'T FOR "ROLLING STONE"?
Wenner: SO IT WAS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WHAT WOULD BE NEXT.
WHAT WOULD BE THE NEXT ASSIGNMENT?
WHAT'S THE BIGGEST THING WE COULD THINK OF?
I CAME UP WITH THE IDEA THAT HE SHOULD MOVE TO WASHINGTON,
BECOME THE FULL-TIME CORRESPONDENT
FOR THE McGOVERN CAMPAIGN.
TWO OF THE CLASSICAL WORKS OF AMERICAN POLITICS
CAME OUT OF THAT CAMPAIGN AND OUT OF THAT ASSIGNMENT FOR "ROLLING STONE."
ONE IS "FEAR AND LOATHING: ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL" BY HUNTER;
AND "BOYS ON THE BUS" BY TIM CROUSE,
WHO WAS ONE OF OUR LITTLE JUNIOR STARS.
BUT HE WANTED TO BE UP THERE AND COVER THE CAMPAIGN,
SO I SAID, "SURE. GO RIGHT AHEAD. YOU CAN HELP HUNTER WHILE YOU'RE AT IT."
PART OF THE REASON I WAS THERE
WAS TO TAKE CARE OF HIM.
AND WHAT I FELT FROM HIM
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WAS A SENSE OF PROTECTION.
AND WE BECAME A VERY GOOD TEAM THAT WAY.
Young Wenner: IF YOU WERE REALLY INTERESTED IN WHAT WAS HAPPENING
ON THE McGOVERN CAMPAIGN, THE ELECTION,
YOU WOULD'VE ALSO-- ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT AS WIDELY KNOWN--
TURNED TO "ROLLING STONE" TO FIND OUT REALLY WHAT WAS GOING ON.
HUNTER'S COVERAGE AND RECORD OF IT--
HIS COVERAGE WAS JUST BRILLIANT.
( Wenner and Hunter speaking )
Pat Caddell: WHEN HE SHOWED UP AT THE CAMPAIGN, NO ONE KNEW WHO HE WAS.
BUT I'M STILL IN COLLEGE, SO I READ "ROLLING STONE,"
SO I KNEW WHO HE WAS. NOBODY ELSE KNEW.
THAT WAS HIS GREAT ADVANTAGE--
NOBODY WAS PAYING ATTENTION TO HIM...
UNTIL HE STARTED PUBLISHING,
THEN ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE.
Depp: "SO THIS IS MORE OF A JANGLED CAMPAIGN DIARY
THAN A RECORD OR REASONED ANALYSIS
OF THE '72 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
FROM DECEMBER '71 TO JANUARY '73
IN AIRPORT BARS, ALL-NIGHT COFFEE SHOPS
AND DREARY HOTEL ROOMS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
THERE IS HARDLY A PARAGRAPH IN THIS SAGA
THAT WASN'T PRODUCED IN A LAST-MINUTE TEETH-GRINDING FRENZY.
EVERY DEADLINE WAS A CRISIS
WHEN I WAS CRANKING IT OUT OF THE TYPEWRITER
ONE PAGE AT A TIME AND FEEDING IT
- INTO THE PLASTIC MAW OF THAT GODDAMN MOJO WIRE... - ( fax buzzing )
...TO SOME HASH-ADDLED FREAK OF AN EDITOR
AT THE 'ROLLING STONE' NEWS DESK IN SAN FRANCISCO."
THERE. CHEW ON THAT GIBBERISH FOR A WHILE, YOU HEARTLESS SCUM.
- ( buzzing ) - YOU PUSHED ME TOO FAR.
( buzzing frantically )
( buzzing stops )
( gunshot )
McGovern: I COULDN'T READ THAT BOOK, "FEAR AND LOATHING,"
WITHOUT BEING IN A PLACE WHERE I COULD LAUGH OUT LOUD
FROM TIME TO TIME.
IT WAS A HILARIOUS BOOK.
I HAVE BEEN QUOTED MANY TIMES AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN--
IT WAS THE MOST ACCURATE AND LEAST FACTUAL ACCOUNT OF THAT CAMPAIGN.
( all laugh )
McGovern: I'LL SAY ONE OTHER THING:
THAT BOOK WAS WRITTEN FOR "ROLLING STONE"
AS THE CAMPAIGN PROGRESSED.
IT WASN'T SOMETHING WRITTEN FROM THE HINDSIGHT
OF THE CAMPAIGN. THOSE CHAPTERS ROLLED OFF
OF HIS TYPEWRITER AS THE CAMPAIGN MOVED ALONG.
Perry: IT WAS A JOURNALISTIC RISK.
HE HAD COVERED POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS BEFORE
HE WAS JUST SICK OF THE CONVENTIONS,
SITTING AROUND AND REPORTING THE SPEECHES.
AND THE SPEECHES WERE ALL WRITTEN FOR REPORTERS TO WRITE ABOUT.
Depp: "AS FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED,
THERE WAS NO SUCH THING AS 'OFF THE RECORD.'
UNLIKE MOST OTHER CORRESPONDENTS
I COULD AFFORD TO BURN ALL MY BRIDGES BEHIND ME,
'CAUSE I WAS ONLY THERE FOR A YEAR.
AND THE LAST THING I CARED ABOUT
WAS ESTABLISHING LONG-TERM CONNECTIONS ON CAPITOL HILL."
HE WANTED TO STIR THINGS UP.
Buchanan: THERE WAS NO ONE QUITE LIKE HUNTER.
HE WAS ON THE EDGE AND BEYOND THE EDGE,
AND IT WAS VERY FUNNY.
I REMEMBER HE WROTE THAT HUBERT HUMPHREY,
THE GREAT FATHER OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT--
HE SAID, "THEY OUGHT TO STUFF HUBERT IN A GODDAMN BOTTLE
AND SEND HIM OUT WITH THE JAPANESE CURRENT."
Depp: "THERE IS NO WAY TO GRASP WHAT A SHALLOW, CONTEMPTIBLE
AND HOPELESSLY DISHONEST OLD HACK HUBERT HUMPHREY REALLY IS
UNTIL YOU'VE FOLLOWED HIM AROUND FOR A WHILE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.
HUBERT HUMPHREY IS A TREACHEROUS,
GUTLESS OLD WARD-HEELER."
Buchanan: HE HAD A VIEW OF THE RIDICULOUSNESS OF IT ALL...
THANK YOU. SHALOM SHALOM.
...AND HUNTER DID SOME OF HIS BEST WORK ON THE LIBERALS.
McGovern: HE WAS PARTICULARLY HOSTILE TO HUBERT,
BUT HE CERTAINLY LOATHED RICHARD NIXON.
Depp: "OUR BARBIE DOLL PRESIDENT WITH HIS BARBIE DOLL WIFE
AND HIS BOXFUL OF BARBIE DOLL CHILDREN
IS ALSO AMERICA'S ANSWER TO THE MONSTROUS MR. HYDE.
HE SPEAKS TO THE WEREWOLF IN US
ON NIGHTS WHEN THE MOON COMES TOO CLOSE."
NIXON REPRESENTS EVERYTHING THAT'S WRONG WITH THIS COUNTRY...
DOWN THE LINE.
Buchanan: WELL, HE FIRST CAME INTO OUR CONSCIOUSNESS
IN THE BEGINNING OF 1968. HE WAS WRITING FOR "PAGEANT" MAGAZINE.
HE CAME UP TO COVER US. I WAS WITH NIXON IN THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY
AND HUNTER WOULD IMPORTUNE ME TO GET SOME TIME WITH THE CANDIDATE.
SO WE GOT HUNTER-- AS I RECALL IT--
WE PUT HIM IN THE CAR WITH NIXON
IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE LIMO
WHEN NIXON WAS GOING TO MANCHESTER AIRPORT.
Man: WASN'T IT IN 1968 YOU TRIED TO INTERVIEW NIXON?
Hunter: NO, I DID IT. I HAD A WONDERFUL TALK WITH HIM.
WHAT DID YOU TALK ABOUT?
FOOTBALL. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE PRESS CORPS
WHO COULD TALK ABOUT FOOTBALL.
IS THIS A NEED THAT OCCURS TO HIM DURING--
OH, YEAH. HE'S A COMPLETE FOOTBALL FREAK.
AND I SAID, "NO, OF COURSE. I'M A FREAK. I KNOW ALL ABOUT IT."
HE SAID, "BUT YOU-- YOU'RE THE ONE WHO WANTS
TO TALK ABOUT VIETNAM AND THAT KIND OF THING."
I SAID, "NO, I'LL TALK ABOUT FOOTBALL. DON'T WORRY."
HE SAID, "OKAY, IF YOU PROMISE, THEN YOU CAN RIDE
IN THE CAR WITH HIM BACK TO THE AIRPORT."
IT'S ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF RIDE,
JUST ME A NIXON IN THE BACKSEAT.
WAS HE AN AMIABLE FELLOW?
OH, ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. IT WAS KIND OF PLEASANT. IT WAS WEIRD.
( chanting ) FOUR MORE YEARS, FOUR MORE YEARS...
TONIGHT I AGAIN PROUDLY ACCEPT THAT NOMINATION
- FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. - ( crowd cheering )
Hunter: RICHARD NIXON REPRESENTS EVERYTHING THAT I...
NOT ONLY HAVE CONTEMPT FOR BUT DISLIKE AND THINK SHOULD BE STOMPED OUT.
Depp: "HE WAS A CHEAP CROOK AND A MERCILESS WAR CRIMINAL
WHO BOMBED MORE PEOPLE TO DEATH IN LAOS AND CAMBODIA
THAN THE U.S. ARMY LOST IN ALL OF WORLD WAR II.
WHEN STUDENTS AT KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
IN OHIO PROTESTED THE BOMBING,
HE CONNIVED TO HAVE THEM ATTACKED AND SLAIN
- BY TROOPS FROM THE NATIONAL GUARD." - ( gunfire )
"SOME PEOPLE WILL SAY THAT WORDS LIKE 'SCUM' AND 'ROTTEN'
ARE WRONG FOR OBJECTIVE JOURNALISM,
WHICH IS TRUE. BUT THEY MISS THE POINT.
IT WAS THE BUILT-IN BLIND SPOTS
OF THE OBJECTIVE RULES AND DOGMA
THAT ALLOWED NIXON TO SLITHER
INTO THE WHITE HOUSE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
HE SEEMED SO ALL-AMERICAN."
* AND THE SKIES ARE NOT CLOUDY ALL DAY. *
Depp: "YOU HAD TO GET SUBJECTIVE TO SEE NIXON CLEARLY.
HE WAS SO CROOKED THAT HE NEEDED SERVANTS
TO HELP HIM SCREW ON HIS PANTS EVERY MORNING."
I AM FILLING WITH HATE AND RAGE RIGHT NOW JUST THINKING ABOUT IT.
Gary Hart: I HAD NEVER TRIED TO PSYCHOANALYZE HUNTER
IN MOOD SWINGS AND SO ON,
BUT I THINK IN HIS BAD MOMENTS OR WORSE MOMENTS
HE THOUGHT IT WAS ALL FEAR AND LOATHING.
Crouse: "FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS"
IS OSTENSIBLY ABOUT A MAN IN SEARCH
OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.
AND "FEAR AND LOATHING: ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL"
IS ABOUT A MAN IN SEARCH OF AN HONEST POLITICIAN.
AND THE ONLY ONE IN SIGHT WHO EVEN VAGUELY QUALIFIED
- WAS GEORGE McGOVERN. - WHEN YOU SUPPORT GEORGE McGOVERN--
AT THE POSITION I AM IN THE POLLS,
THAT'S AN ACT OF COURAGE.
Depp: "GEORGE McGOVERN-- THE ONLY CANDIDATE
IN EITHER PARTY WORTH VOTING FOR
IS HUNG IN A FRUSTRATED LIMBO
CREATED MAINLY BY THE GROSS CYNICISM
OF THE WASHINGTON PRESS CORPS.
'HE'D BE A FINE PRESIDENT,' THEY SAY,
'BUT OF COURSE HE CAN'T POSSIBLY WIN.'
- WHY NOT?" - I JUST WANTED TO SAY HELLO.
I'M SENATOR McGOVERN, FOLKS. NICE TO SEE YOU.
YES, YOU TOO.
YOU FELLAS KNOW I'M RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT?
I HOPE YOU'LL HELP ME OUT.
( crowd cheering )
Crouse: McGOVERN'S PROGRAM WAS
IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL FROM VIETNAM...
McGovern: EVEN IF WE STAYED THERE
AND BOMBED FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
AND AMERICANS CONTINUE TO DIE, FIVE YEARS FROM NOW
WE'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT WHERE WE ARE NOW.
SO LET'S RECOGNIZE THAT WE MADE A MISTAKE.
LET'S BRING THIS WAR TO AN END.
...AMNESTY FOR DRAFT DODGERS AND DESERTERS,
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN
AND-- AND A CUT IN THE DEFENSE BUDGET.
WELL, GOOD LUCK.
McGovern: THE TRANSCENDENT ISSUE OF '72 WAS VIETNAM,
AND I DESPERATELY WANTED TO WIN THAT ELECTION
TO PUT AN END TO THAT SENSELESS WAR.
I'M SICK AND TIRED OF OLD MEN SITTING AROUND
IN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOMS HERE IN WASHINGTON
DREAMING UP WARS FOR YOUNG MEN TO DIE IN.
McGovern: IT IS A TIDE THAT WOULD SWEEP AWAY
THE BARBARISM OF WAR
AND END THE FOLLY OF VIETNAM ONCE AND FOR ALL.
( cheering )
Depp: "McGOVERN IS THE ONLY MAJOR CANDIDATE
WHO LINES OUT THE PAINFUL TRUTH,
AND HIS REWARD HAS BEEN JUST ABOUT THE SAME
AS THAT OF ANY OTHER POLITICIAN WHO INSISTS ON TELLING THE TRUTH:
HE IS MOCKED, VILIFIED,
IGNORED AND ABANDONED AS A HOPELESS LOSER."
THE PRESIDENT IS ATTACKING...
Hart: HUNTER NEVER TRUSTED ANYBODY WHO WAS ELECTED.
THAT WAS THE IRONY,
BECAUSE TO BE ESTIMABLE IN HIS JUDGMENT
YOU HAD TO BE A LOSER, IN EFFECT.
A NOBLE LOSER.
Brinkley: WHAT WAS BOLD ABOUT HUNTER WITH McGOVERN
IS HE WASN'T BEING OBJECTIVE.
HE WAS SAYING "THIS IS THE GUY I WANT TO SEE AS PRESIDENT.
I'M GONNA TRY TO HELP MAKE HIM PRESIDENT."
- ( woman screaming ) - ( gun fires )
McGovern: LEAVING OUT GEORGE WALLACE, WHO WAS SHOT,
THE TWO STRONGEST DEMOCRATIC CONTENDERS
WERE MUSKIE AND HUMPHREY.
THEREFORE, HUNTER SAW THEM
AS A THREAT TO BE UNMASKED,
BECAUSE BY THEN I THINK HE WAS PRETTY STRONGLY COMMITTED TO ME.
Crouse: HUNTER'S PIECES WERE A VERY PARTICULAR HYBRID
OF VERY CLEAR-MINDED,
ACCURATE STRAIGHT REPORTAGE
AND THEN SOMETIMES FLAT-OUT FANTASY.
IT WAS ALL RUN TOGETHER,
AND SOME PEOPLE FOUND IT HARD
TO TELL THE FANTASY FROM THE OTHER STUFF.
IT OCCURRED TO ME ABOUT HALFWAY DURING THE CAMPAIGN
THAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY BELIEVED
A LOT OF THE THINGS I WAS WRITING ABOUT--
MUSKIE EATING THIS STRANGE BRAZILIAN DRUG.
HUNTER HAD IT IN FOR MUSKIE
LIKE YOU COULDN'T BELIEVE.
HUNTER JUST COULD NOT LAY OFF OF MUSKIE.
WHAT DID YOU DO TO ED MUSKIE?
NOTHING. ED MUSKIE DID IT TO HIMSELF.
I JUST HELPED HIM ALONG.
Depp: "NOT MUCH HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THE IBOGAINE EFFECT
AS A SERIOUS FACTOR IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN,
BUT TOWARD THE END OF THE WISCONSIN PRIMARY RACE,
ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE VOTE,
WORD LEAKED OUT THAT SOME OF MUSKIE'S TOP ADVISORS
HAD CALLED IN A BRAZILIAN DOCTOR
WHO WAS SAID TO BE TREATING THE CANDIDATE
WITH 'SOME KIND OF STRANGE DRUG.'"
WHAT WAS THE DRUG THAT YOU SAID HE WAS ON?
- IBOGAINE. - IBOGAINE.
Perry: FIRST WE SAW HIS WORK, THEN WE HAD TO LOOK IT UP
AND THEN WE STARTED WONDERING
WHETHER SOMEBODY COULD SUE US ABOUT THIS.
THEN WE REALIZED HOW SILLY THAT WOULD BE,
SO WE WENT AHEAD WITH IT.
Caddell: "ROLLING STONE" REPORTS
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE EDMUND MUSKIE
IS IN FACT ADDICTED. IT ENDED UP ON THE WIRES AS A STRAIGHT STORY.
IT CAUSED A MAJOR SENSATION.
IT WAS JUST THIS MAGICAL LYRICAL MOMENT OF HUNTER'S.
Depp: "IT HAD BEEN COMMON KNOWLEDGE FOR MANY WEEKS
THAT HUMPHREY WAS USING AN EXOTIC BRAND OF SPEED KNOWN AS 'WALLOT.'
AND IT HAD LONG BEEN WHISPERED
THAT MUSKIE WAS INTO SOMETHING VERY HEAVY,
BUT IT WAS HARD TO TAKE THE TALK SERIOUSLY UNTIL I HEARD ABOUT THE APPEARANCE
OF A MYSTERIOUS BRAZILIAN DOCTOR. THAT WAS THE KEY."
( all speaking Portuguese )
BY ATTACKING ME, HE'S PROVED HIMSELF TO BE A GUTLESS COWARD.
Depp: "I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED THE IBOGAINE EFFECT
FROM MUSKIE'S TEARFUL BREAKDOWN
ON THE FLATBED TRUCK IN NEW HAMPSHIRE..."
Perry: HE SAID, "WELL, LOOK AT THE WAY
THE GUY GIVES HIS SPEECHES.
IT EXACTLY FITS THE SYMPTOMS
OF SOMEBODY WHO'S STONED ON IBOGAINE."
AND THE CHARGE WAS SO BIZARRE, SO OFF-THE-WALL,
IT REALLY BROUGHT A LOT OF ATTENTION TO HUNTER'S REPORTING.
DO YOU MIND IF I STATE MY VIEW?
Depp: "...TO THE DELUSIONS AND ALTERED THINKING
THAT CHARACTERIZED HIS CAMPAIGN IN WISCONSIN,
AND FINALLY THE CONDITION OF 'TOTAL RAGE'
THAT GRIPPED HIM IN FLORIDA."
BUT I AM SPEAKING TO THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO LISTEN TO ME!
Man: THE RUMOR BEGAN TO SPREAD EVERYWHERE
AMONG ALL THE PEOPLE WHO WERE COVERING THE CAMPAIGN
THAT MUSKIE WAS IN FACT ON THIS BIZARRE DRUG.
- YOU FINALLY SAID YOU MADE IT ALL UP. - I HAD TO.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE TOOK THIS STUFF SERIOUSLY.
PEOPLE REALLY BELIEVED THAT MUSKIE WAS EATING IBOGAINE.
I NEVER SAID HE WAS. I SAID THERE WAS A RUMOR IN MILWAUKEE THAT HE WAS...
WHICH WAS TRUE. I STARTED THE RUMOR IN MILWAUKEE.
- ( audience laughing ) - YEAH, IF YOU'RE REALLY CAREFUL--
I'M A VERY ACCURATE JOURNALIST.
Depp: "MUSKIE'S ALWAYS TAKEN PRIDE
IN HIS ABILITY TO DEAL WITH HECKLERS.
HE'S FREQUENTLY CHALLENGED THEM,
CALLING THEM UP TO THE STAGE IN FRONT OF BIG CROWDS
AND THE FORCING THE POOR BASTARDS TO DEBATE WITH HIM IN A BLAZE OF TV LIGHTS.
BUT THERE WAS NONE OF THAT IN FLORIDA.
WHEN THE BOOHOO BEGAN GRABBING AT HIS LEGS
AND SCREAMING FOR MORE GIN,
BIG ED WENT ALL TO PIECES,
WHICH GAVE RISE TO SPECULATION AMONG REPORTERS
FAMILIAR WITH HIS CAMPAIGN STYLE IN '68 AND '70
THAT MUSKIE WAS NOT HIMSELF."
...SHREDDED, TORN, BATTERED AND BEATEN
BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION.
Depp: "IN RETROSPECT, HOWEVER,
IT IS EASY TO SEE WHY MUSKIE FELL APART
ON THAT CABOOSE PLATFORM IN THE MIAMI TRAIN STATION.
IT IS ENTIRELY CONCEIVABLE,
GIVEN THE KNOWN EFFECTS OF IBOGAINE,
THAT MUSKIE'S BRAIN WAS ALMOST PARALYZED
BY HALLUCINATIONS AT THE TIME,
THAT HE LOOKED OUT AT THE CROWD
AND SAW GILA MONSTERS INSTEAD OF PEOPLE.
THAT HIS MIND SNAPPED COMPLETELY
WHEN HE FELT SOMETHING LARGE AND APPARENTLY VICIOUS
CLAWING AT HIS LEGS."
THAT'S CRAZY STUFF.
NOBODY WAS WRITING LIKE THAT.
I MEAN, IN THE SERIOUS WORLD OF POLITICAL JOURNALISM
THEY THOUGHT THAT WAY OF HUNTER,
THAT HE WAS GETTING AWAY WITH STUFF
THAT THEY COULDN'T IN WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
AND THEY ALL LIVED VICARIOUSLY THROUGH HIM.
Crouse: THE SOCIAL SCENE OF THE PRESS--
IN THOSE DAYS IT WAS ALMOST ALL MALES
AND THEY ALMOST ALL DRANK PRETTY SERIOUSLY.
AND HUNTER, HE WAS KIND OF IMPERVIOUS MAN
WHEN IT CAME TO DRUGS AND TO LIQUOR.
YOU SAW THAT STUFF GO IN
AND THERE WAS NO DISCERNABLE EFFECT
IN HIS BEHAVIOR.
AND THAT LEFT AN IMPRESSION
ON THE PEOPLE HE WAS WITH.
HUNTER COULDN'T RESIST, EVER,
TRYING TO SHOCK THE SQUARES.
HUNTER WOULD TURN TO ME AND SAY,
"MAYBE AT THE NEXT STOP WE CAN SHOOT UP,"
OR "HEY, IF THEY HAVE A MEN'S ROOM,
IT WOULD BE GOOD TO EAT SOME ACID."
AND HUNTER, IN THIS SENSE,
ALMOST HAD THE ATTRIBUTES OF AN ACTION HERO.
McGovern: I GOT A CALL FROM HUNTER.
HE INVITED ELEANOR AND ME TO MEET HIM FOR DINNER.
WHEN WE GOT THERE, THE WAITRESS MATERIALIZED
AND HE SAID, "BRING ME THREE MARGARITAS
AND SIX BEERS,"
AND THE GIRL LAUGHED.
SHE SAID, "ARE YOU EXPECTING SOME OTHER PEOPLE, SIR?"
HE SAID, "NO. FIND OUT WHAT THESE TWO FOLKS WANT,
BUT BRING ME THREE MARGARITAS
AND SIX BEERS." ( laughs )
Hart: I DON'T THINK HUNTER EVER THOUGHT McGOVERN WAS GONNA WIN.
I THINK HE WAS ALONG FOR THE RIDE.
THIS THING PICKS UP SPEED FAST, DOESN'T IT?
Man: OH YEAH, SO IS YOUR CAMPAIGN.
Hart: AND ALL OF A SUDDEN,
THIS THING BEGINS TO BE SERIOUS.
Man: OF THE SIX DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES,
WHICH ONE ARE YOU SUPPORTING IN THE PRIMARY?
- McGOVERN? - WHY?
BECAUSE I THINK THAT HE'S THE ONLY MAN THAT CAN UNITE THE COUNTRY.
- GEORGE McGOVERN. - Man: WHY?
BECAUSE I THINK HE'S THE PEOPLE'S MAN.
UH, WHAT'S HIS NAME?
- Man: WALLACE? - NO NO NO. NO.
- LINDSAY? - NO.
- HUMPHREY? - NO.
- MUSKIE? - NO.
- McGOVERN? - YES, YOU'VE GOT IT RIGHT THERE.
I THINK YOU'RE COMING ON GOOD TO LABOR PEOPLE.
- YEAH. - Hart: I THINK HUNTER REALIZED
THAT THE MAN HE WAS FOLLOWING MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE A CHANCE.
Man: MUSKIE, JACKSON, LINDSAY TRAIL BADLY.
WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN DOING?
WE WON BY A LANDSLIDE.
THE PRESS COVERAGE IS UNBELIEVABLE.
HE'S GONNA BE ON THE COVER OF "NEWSWEEK,"
PROBABLY THE COVER OF "TIME,"
AND THEY'RE CALLING HIM THE FRONTRUNNER
FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.
NOW WE'VE GOT TO WORRY.
( cheering )
Man: Senator George McGovern,
having received the majority vote
of this convention of certified delegates,
is hereby declared
the 1972 Democratic nominee
for President of the United States.
Depp: "McGOVERN APPEARED TO HAVE A SURE LOCK
ON THE WHITE HOUSE WHEN THE SUN CAME UP
ON MIAMI BEACH ON THE MORNING OF THURSDAY, JULY 13TH.
SINCE THEN HE HAS CRIPPLED HIMSELF
WITH A SERIES OF ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE BLUNDERS."
Hart: THE POLLS GOING INTO THAT WEEKEND
SHOWED McGOVERN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN.
NOW IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DEFEAT AN INCUMBENT,
PARTICULARLY AT WAR TIME,
SO YOU HAD TO HAVE EVERYTHING GO RIGHT.
YOU COULD NOT HAVE ONE THING GO WRONG.
AND OF COURSE WE HAD A HUGE MAJOR THING GO WRONG WITHIN HOURS.
THERE WAS THIS DISASTER
WITH THE CHOICE FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT--
THOMAS EAGLETON, SENATOR FROM MISSOURI.
Frank Mankiewicz: HE MEETS THE MAIN REQUIREMENTS
SENATOR McGOVERN SET DOWN WHEN HE BEGAN HIS CONSIDERATION,
WHICH IS A MAN IN WHOM HE WOULD HAVE
ABSOLUTE AND COMPLETE CONFIDENCE
AND IN WHOM HE BELIEVES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD HAVE COMPLETE CONFIDENCE
TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SHOULD AN OCCASION ARISE.
I THINK IT WAS MANKIEWICZ WHO ASKED HIM
IF HE HAD ANY SKELETONS IN HIS CLOSET AND HE SAID NO.
TOM SAID HE COULDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING
AND THEN THE CLOCK STARTED TO TICK.
Hart: THE WEEKEND AFTER THE CONVENTION IN MIAMI
WE HAD GOTTEN AN ANONYMOUS CALL AT HEADQUARTERS
SAYING THAT SENATOR EAGLETON HAD HAD...
SHOCK THERAPY, WHICH WE HAD NOT KNOWN.
- ( speaking indistinctly ) - * WELL, I THINK I'M GOING OUT OF MY HEAD *
* YES, I THINK I'M GOING OUT OF MY HEAD *
* OVER YOU...
ON THREE OCCASIONS IN MY LIFE,
I HAVE VOLUNTARILY GONE INTO HOSPITALS
AS A RESULT OF NERVOUS EXHAUSTION AND FATIGUE.
Buchanan: I'D BEEN IN ST. LOUIS. I'D HEARD ABOUT THE EAGLETON STUFF,
EVEN BEFORE-- WHEN THEY NOMINATED HIM.
IT WOULD SURPRISE ME WHEN THEY NOMINATED HIM.
WHEN THAT HIT, THAT WAS THE COUP DE GRACE.
I WAS IN NIXON'S OFFICE
AND THERE WAS WHAT I WOULD SAY WAS CONSIDERABLE MERRIMENT.
NIXON SAID, "WELL, PAT TOLD US, DIDN'T HE, CHUCK?"
Depp: "TOM EAGLETON WAS EXACTLY THE KIND OF VP CANDIDATE
THAT MUSKIE OR HUMPHREY WOULD HAVE CHOSEN--
A PEACE OFFERING TO THE OLD POLITICS GANG,
BECAUSE McGOVERN THOUGHT HE NEEDED
THOSE BASTARDS TO BEAT NIXON."
IS IT YOUR INTENTION THEN TO REMAIN ON THE TICKET?
- CATEGORICALLY, YES. - Depp: "IT'S HARD TO SEE
HOW GEORGE COULD HAVE DONE ANY WORSE,
EVEN WITH CHARLES MANSON FOR A RUNNING MATE."
Hart: ALL OF A SUDDEN, HUNTER JUMPS ON THAT CRITICAL BANDWAGON.
HIS WHOLE CRITIQUE OF McGOVERN IN THE FALL CAMPAIGN WAS
"SELLOUT, COMPROMISER."
BUT YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS ABOUT AMERICAN POLITICS
AND BE INFANTILE ABOUT IT.
AND THERE WAS AN INFANTILE--
I SAY THIS WITH ALL RESPECT TO MY LATE FRIEND--
AN INFANTILE ASPECT TO HUNTER.
HE WANTED IT ALL TO BE FUN,
ALL TO BE AMUSING, ALL TO BE GOOD AND EVIL,
AND "WE'RE THE GOOD GUYS, THEY'RE THE BAD GUYS
AND WE'RE GONNA CRUSH 'EM,"
AND OVERDRAMATIZING
WHAT IS REALLY SOME OF THE TOUGHEST THINGS
HUMAN BEINGS HAVE TO DO,
AND THAT IS TO TRY TO GOVERN A DEMOCRACY.
McGovern: THE PUBLIC DEBATE OF SENATOR EAGLETON'S
PAST MEDICAL HISTORY
CONTINUES TO DIVERT ATTENTION
FROM THE GREAT NATIONAL ISSUES
THAT NEED TO BE DISCUSSED.
THEREFORE WE HAVE JOINTLY AGREED
THAT THE BEST COURSE IS FOR SENATOR EAGLETON
- TO STEP ASIDE. - ( applause )
Crouse: WHEN McGOVERN FINALLY HAD TO GIVE IN,
IT MADE McGOVERN LOOK LIKE A LIAR,
IT MADE HIM LOOK LIKE A WAFFLER.
IT WAS A BLOW FROM WHICH THE CAMPAIGN
NEVER REALLY COVERED.
WISH I WORE MY DRIP-DRY SUIT.
McGovern: THE NATIONAL PRESS WASN'T VERY RESPONSIBLE AT THAT TIME.
I DON'T CONDEMN THE PRESS.
THEY WERE DOING WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS RIGHT,
BUT THEY SPENT FAR MORE INK
DWELLING ON MY MISHANDLING
OF THE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL SELECTION
THAN WAS EVER DEVOTED TO THE WATERGATE BREAK-IN
ON THE PART OF THE NIXON PEOPLE DURING THE CAMPAIGN.
IT WAS HARD TO GET THEM INTERESTED IN THAT.
Depp: "AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT IN WASHINGTON
A DROOLING RED-EYED BEAST WITH THE LEGS OF A MAN
AND THE HEAD OF A GIANT HYENA
CRAWLS OUT OF ITS BEDROOM WINDOW
IN THE SOUTH WING OF THE WHITE HOUSE
AND LEAPS 50' DOWN TO THE LAWN,
PAUSES BRIEFLY TO STRANGLE THE CHOW WATCHDOG,
THEN RACES OFF INTO THE DARKNESS
TOWARDS THE WATERGATE, SNARLING WITH LUST,
LOPING THROUGH THE ALLEYS BEHIND PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
AND TRYING DESPERATELY TO REMEMBER
WHICH ONE OF THOSE 400 IDENTICAL BALCONIES
IS THE ONE OUTSIDE MARTHA MITCHELL'S APARTMENT."
( growling )
Depp: "DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND MY CONTROL,
I WOULD RATHER NOT WRITE ANYTHING
ABOUT THE 1972 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN AT THIS TIME.
ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH,
I WILL GET OUT OF BED LONG ENOUGH
TO GO DOWN TO THE POLLING PLACE
AND VOTE FOR GEORGE McGOVERN.
AFTERWARDS, I WILL DRIVE BACK TO THE HOUSE,
LOCK THE FRONT DOOR, GET BACK IN BED
AND WATCH TELEVISION AS LONG AS NECESSARY.
IT WILL PROBABLY BE A WHILE BEFORE THE ANGST LIFTS.
BUT WHENEVER IT HAPPENS,
I WILL GET OUT OF BED AGAIN
AND START WRITING THE MEAN, COLD-BLOODED BUMMER
THAT I WAS NOT QUITE READY FOR TODAY."
Crouse: HE WAS THE RIGHT MAN IN THE RIGHT PLACE
AND HE WAS EQUIPPED TO CAPTURE
A CERTAIN MOMENT IN HISTORY
AS NOBODY ELSE WAS EQUIPPED TO DO.
IN HIS BEST PAGES,
I THINK HE CAPTURED CERTAIN TRUTHS
ABOUT HUMAN PERVERSITY
THAT WILL NEVER LOSE THEIR STING.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT ANYBODY CAN BE TOO SURPRISED
THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE NIGHTMARE WE'RE IN TODAY
BECAUSE IT'S ESSENTIALLY THE SAME
AS THE NIGHTMARE HE DESCRIBED BACK THEN.
AND I THINK IT WILL ALWAYS BE SALUBRIOUS
AND CLEANSING TO HAVE SOMEONE EXPRESS
THE MOCKERY AND THE RAGE
AND FINALLY THE DESPAIR
THAT ARE THE ONLY REACTION
OF A REAL HUMAN TO THAT NIGHTMARE.
Reporter: Massachusetts has gone
for the Democratic candidate--
the only state going for McGovern.
Reporter #2: We project that President Nixon
will come out of this the winner.
with about 60% of the popular vote. And somewhere between 450-500 or more election votes.
I've never known a national election
when I would be able to go to bed earlier than tonight.
( audience laughs )
* PUT A CANDLE IN THE WINDOW... *
Crouse: "THIS MAY BE THE YEAR WHEN WE FINALLY COME
FACE TO FACE WITH OURSELVES,
FINALLY JUST LAY BACK AND SAY
THAT WE ARE REALLY JUST A NATION
OF 220 MILLION USED-CAR SALESMEN
WITH ALL THE MONEY WE NEED TO BUY GUNS
AND NO QUALMS AT ALL ABOUT KILLING ANYBODY ELSE IN THE WORLD
WHO TRIES TO MAKE US UNCOMFORTABLE."
McGovern: NEVER AGAIN WILL WE SEND
THE PRECIOUS YOUNG BLOOD OF THIS COUNTRY
TO DIE TRYING TO PROP UP
A CORRUPT MILITARY DICTATORSHIP ABROAD.
( crowd cheers )
"THE TRAGEDY OF ALL THIS IS THAT GEORGE McGOVERN,
FOR ALL HIS MISTAKES
AND ALL HIS IMPRECISE TALK ABOUT NEW POLITICS
AND HONESTY IN GOVERNMENT,
IS ONE OF THE FEW MEN WHO WOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES IN THIS CENTURY
WHO REALLY UNDERSTANDS WHAT A FANTASTIC MONUMENT
THIS COUNTRY MIGHT HAVE BEEN
IF WE COULD'VE KEPT IT OUT OF THE HANDS
OF GREEDY LITTLE HUSTLERS LIKE RICHARD NIXON."
* GUESS I'VE GOT THAT OLD TRAVELING BONE *
* GONNA FEEL REALLY ALONE... *
...WHETHER OR NOT THEIR PRESIDENT IS A CROOK.
WELL, I'M NOT A CROOK.
* BUT I WON'T-- I WON'T BE LOSING MY WAY, NO NO... *
Crouse: "McGOVERN MADE SOME STUPID MISTAKES,
BUT, IN CONTEXT, THEY SEEM ALMOST FRIVOLOUS
COMPARED TO THE THINGS RICHARD NIXON DOES
EVERY DAY OF HIS LIFE ON PURPOSE
AS A MATTER OF POLICY
AND A PERFECT EXPRESSION OF EVERYTHING HE STANDS FOR.
JESUS, WHERE WILL IT END? HOW LOW DO YOU HAVE TO STOOP
IN THIS COUNTRY TO BE PRESIDENT?"
* PUT A CANDLE IN THE WINDOW *
* THOUGH I'M GOING, GOING *
* I'LL BE COMING HOME SOON *
* LONG AS I CAN SEE THE LIGHT... *
WHEW.
Wenner: AS MUCH AS HE WAS REVILED AND REVULSED
BY NIXON, HE IDENTIFIED WITH HIM.
HE UNDERSTOOD THAT DARKNESS OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT.
YOU KNOW, HUNTER WAS DEEPLY INVESTED IN AMERICA.
WHETHER YOU CALL IT THE AMERICAN DREAM OR AMERICAN POLITICS,
ALL THE THINGS HE WROTE ABOUT
WERE ALWAYS LOOKING AT THE DARK SIDE AS WELL AS THE HOPE.
BUT DURING HIS LIFETIME IT KEPT LOOKING LIKE,
ONCE AGAIN, THE EVIL, THE DARKNESS WOULD TRIUMPH.
Crouse: IN 1972, HE BEGAN TO FEEL DISILLUSIONED.
AND WITH JIMMY CARTER, HE WAS TRYING
TO GIVE POLITICS ONE LAST CHANCE.
( "Georgia on my Mind" playing )
Depp: "I HAVE HEARD HUNDREDS OF SPEECHES
BY ALL KINDS OF CANDIDATES AND POLITICIANS,
BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD A SUSTAINED PIECE
OF POLITICAL ORATORY THAT IMPRESSED ME MORE
THAN THE SPEECH JIMMY CARTER MADE ON LAW DAY
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
ONE SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN MAY, 1974.
IT WAS A KING HELL BASTARD OF A SPEECH.
BY THE TIME IT WAS OVER, IT HAD RUNG EVERY BELL IN THE ROOM."
Carter: Senator Kennedy and distinguished fellow Georgians,
friends of the Law School of Georgia and--
Hunter: I WAS THE ONLY REPORTER THERE
AND I WAS WITH KENNEDY.
I HAD NO INTEREST IN CARTER
AND NO INTENTION OF EITHER LISTENING TO HIM
OR REPORTING ANYTHING HE SAID.
Carter: NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION TO ME,
HE WAS GOING OUTSIDE EVERY NOW AND THEN
TO REPLENISH HIS GLASS OF WHAT WAS APPARENTLY ICE TEA
BUT WAS REALLY WILD TURKEY WHISKEY.
I STARTED SPEAKING FROM MY HEART
ABOUT THE DEFECTS
IN THE AMERICAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
( Carter speaking )
Depp: "BUT WHAT SENT ME BACK OUT TO THE TRUNK
TO GET MY TAPE RECORDER INSTEAD OF ANOTHER DRINK
WAS THE SPECTACLE OF A SOUTHERN POLITICIAN
TELLING A CROWD OF JUDGES AND LAWYERS
THAT 'THE SOURCE OF MY UNDERSTANDING
ABOUT WHAT'S RIGHT AND WRONG IN THIS SOCIETY
IS FROM A FRIEND OF MINE--
A GREAT POET NAMED BOB DYLAN.'"
( Carter speaking )
* I AIN'T GONNA WORK ON MAGGIE'S FARM NO MORE... *
- ( crowd laughs ) - Carter: SHE SAID...
Hunter: "AT THIS POINT, CARTER WAS ATTACKED
BY WHAT WAS LATER IDENTIFIED AS A 48 LB SLOPE."
( Carter speaking )
Carter: I WAS SPEAKING TO A BUNCH OF LAWYERS
AND THE REACTION AMONG THEM WAS ONE
OF STUNNED SILENCE.
( silence )
( Carter speaking )
"...HE WAS GREETED WITH HORROR.
STILL, ONCE THAT CHANGE WAS MADE--
A VERY SIMPLE, DIFFICULT CHANGE--
NO ONE IN HIS RIGHT MIND WOULD WANT TO GO BACK
TO CIRCUMSTANCES PRIOR TO THAT JUNCTURE
IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NATION'S SOCIETY."
IT CHANGED MY LIFE.
OF COURSE, HUNTER IS THE PERSON THAT FOUND JIMMY CARTER.
HUNTER WOULD GO AROUND THE COUNTRY AND PLAY IT FOR PEOPLE.
Brinkley: HIS COVER STORY ON "ROLLING STONE"
THAT HUNTER WROTE ENDORSING CARTER
HELPED JIMMY CARTER WIN THAT ELECTION.
HE WAS THE MOST POPULAR WRITER IN THE UNITED STATES.
My next guest is one of the most controversial writers in America
and the inventor of gonzo journalism.
We're delighted that he could be with us tonight.
Welcome, please, Dr. Hunter Thompson.
- ( applause ) - Brinkley: HE HAD JUST DELIVERED "HELL'S ANGELS"
"VEGAS," "CAMPAIGN TRAIL,"
AND ALL THOSE GREAT "ROLLING STONE" PIECES.
PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THIS GUY WAS GONNA STOP AT THAT POINT.
YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER HE WOULD HAVE 30 YEARS OF THIS KIND OF PRODUCTIVITY.
HE WAS-- HE WAS SO HOT.
HE'D GIVE A SPEECH AT A COLLEGE
AND 20 WOMEN WANTED TO PARTY WITH HIM ALL NIGHT.
CLASSIC ROCK 'N' ROLL ATTITUDE.
AND HUNTER SAW ROCK STARS,
AND HE THOUGHT, "WHY SHOULDN'T A WRITER BE A ROCK STAR?"
HE BECAME THAT ROCK 'N' ROLL-- TRASH THE HOTEL ROOM,
THROW THE TYPEWRITER OUT THE WINDOW,
LET THE WOMEN IN, TOO MUCH DRUGS--
MEANWHILE, THERE WAS THIS OTHER SIDE OF HIM.
HE WAS THE SQUIRE OF WOODY CREEK,
WHO HAD A WIFE AND A KID.
( "Devil or Angel" playing )
* DEVIL OR ANGEL
* I CAN'T MAKE UP MY MIND *
* WHICH ONE YOU ARE
* I'D LIKE TO WAKE UP AND FIND *
* DEVIL OR ANGEL
* DEAR, WHEREVER YOU ARE
* I MISS YOU, I MISS YOU... *
Wright: HERE WAS ALL THIS FAME,
ALL THESE FAMOUS PEOPLE,
ALL THESE HANGER-ON GIRLS
AND PEOPLE COMING INTO MY KITCHEN
WITH HEELS LIKE THIS.
WE LIVED OUT IN WOODY CREEK--
AND IN TIGHT JEANS AND STILETTOS
AND EVERYTHING GORGEOUS.
AND I SAID, "WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING IN MY WORLD?"
Juan: YOU DON'T THINK HOW IT SHOULD BE DIFFERENT.
YOU JUST ACCEPT THAT MY DAD GETS UP AT 5:00 IN THE AFTERNOON
FOR THE 5:00 NEWS.
HE EATS BREAKFAST, I EAT DINNER.
IT'S A SHAME HE WASN'T AROUND MORE,
BUT THAT'S WHO HE WAS.
I MET HUNTER IN JOHN BELUSHI'S DRESSING ROOM
AT "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE."
HE WAS THE ULTIMATE BAD BOY,
BUT WE BECAME FANTASTIC FRIENDS.
AND ONE NIGHT HE WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE
AND I GUESS BY THE WAY HE WAS TALKING TO THEM--
WHEN HE HUNG UP I SAID, "OH, WHO WAS THAT?"
AND HE SAID, "WELL, THAT'S SONDI."
I SAID, "WELL, WHO'S SONDI?" HE SAID, "MY WIFE,"
AND I SAID, "YOUR WIFE?"
Brinkley: MEANWHILE, HIS MARRIAGE WAS GETTING VERY ROCKY,
HE WAS STARTING TO DRINK AND DO TOO MANY DRUGS
AND FELL INTO FAME.
Caddell: WHAT HAD GIVEN HIM HIS STRENGTH--
HIS ANONYMITY-- WAS GONE.
BY WRITING AND BECOMING THE POLITICAL REPORTER HE WAS,
HE HAD LOST THAT ANONYMITY THAT HAD BEEN HIS CLOAK.
SO NOW HE WAS THE STORY.
I USED TO BE ABLE TO STAND IN THE BACK
AND OBSERVE STORIES AND ABSORB THEM.
NOW THE MINUTE I APPEAR AT A STORY,
THEN I BECOME PART OF IT.
FIRST TIME I WENT TO A PRESS CONFERENCE WITH JIMMY CARTER
I HAD TO SIGN MORE AUTOGRAPHS THAN CARTER SIGNED.
AND THE SECRET SERVICE HAD NO IDEA WHO I WAS.
THEY THOUGHT I WAS AN ASTRONAUT.
Wenner: AT THAT POINT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS HARD.
HOW DO YOU FIND STUFF FOR HUNTER TO DO?
YOU'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A STORY THAT SOMEHOW
CAN TOP THE CAMPAIGN STORY OR VEGAS,
SOMETHING BIG ENOUGH FOR HIS TALENT.
GOING TO ZAIRE SEEMED LIKE A NATURAL ASSIGNMENT FOR HUNTER,
A BIG SPECTACLE, HEAVYWEIGHT FIGHT;
ALI, WHOM HE KNEW OR HAD WRITTEN ABOUT BEFORE.
HE WENT. STEADMAN CAME DOWN FROM LONDON.
I'M GONNA RETIRE THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!
SEPTEMBER THE 25th, THE WORLD WILL BE STUNNED!
Brinkley: HIS HERO, NUMBER ONE, WAS MUHAMMAD ALI.
HE USED TO ALWAYS SAY THAT HE WAS RELATED
TO CASSIUS CLAY IN THE BLOODLINE.
I'VE NEVER FULLY BELIEVED IT--
IT COULD BE TRUE-- BUT HE LOVED TO SAY
THAT HE WAS BLOOD-RELATED TO MUHAMMAD ALI.
HAH! SUCKER, YOU AIN'T NOTHING.
YOU'RE TOO UGLY TO REPRESENT US COLORED FOLKS.
Brinkley: AND REMEMBER AGAIN, MUHAMMAD ALI IS
THIS TOUCHSTONE FOR HUNTER,
THAT THE KENTUCKY BOYS ARE MAKING IT BIG.
- ( grunts ) YOU OUT, SUCKER. - ( men chuckle )
Wolfe: HE WENT TO ZAIRE TO COVER THE RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE.
IT WAS THE FOREGONE CONCLUSION
THAT GEORGE FOREMAN WAS GOING TO KNOCK OUT MUHAMMAD ALI.
THERE SEEMED TO BE NO WAY
THAT ALI COULD SURVIVE THAT FIGHT.
( Hunter speaks )
( Steadman speaks )
( Hunter speaking )
( inhaling deeply )
HE STOPS, AND HE LOOKS UP AT THE DRUG DEALER AND HE SAYS...
( Hunter yelling )
( yelling )
YOU KNOW, AND IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE AND WORSE AND WORSE.
( Hunter yelling )
THIS WAS WHEN HUNTER GAVE OUR TICKETS AWAY.
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT I DID.
I JUST THINK I TRIED TO WATCH IT ON TELEVISION OR SOMETHING
SO I WOULD GET SOME IDEA OF IT,
BUT HUNTER HAD GONE DOWN TO THE POOL
WITH A BUCKET OF ICE
AND A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY,
DRINKING AND SMOKES-- HIS DUNHILLS.
AND HUNTER DECIDED TO...
TAKE A DIP IN THE POOL,
FLOAT IN THE POOL AT THE HOTEL
THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FIGHT.
( Hunter whoops )
Announcer: 30 seconds left in round eight.
AS IT TURNED OUT, IT WAS ONE OF THE...
CLASSIC FIGHTS OF ALL TIME.
Announcer: Another sneaky right hand.
This time he worked over his shoulder.
Unbelievable!
( cheering )
( Hunter speaks )
Referee: Four, five, six, seven--
( announcer yelling )
( Hunter speaks )
THIS WAS CALLED THE BIGGEST FUCKED-UP JOURNALISTIC STORY
IN THE HISTORY OF JOURNALISM--
THAT WE REALLY DIDN'T GET A STORY.
Wenner: ZAIRE WAS HUNTER'S FIRST BIG FAILURE AS AN ASSIGNMENT.
THERE WAS A BIG EXPENSE BILL-- WHICH I PAID FOR--
AND DIDN'T DO THE PIECE,
AND THAT WAS DISAPPOINTING TO US ALL.
I THINK HUNTER FELT A STRONG SENSE OF FAILURE.
THAT WAS KIND OF THE BEGINNING OF A PERIOD OF DECLINE THERE.
HE, AS A WRITER, A JOURNALIST AND A PERSON,
RAN UP AGAINST SOME WALL THERE OR A PERIOD THERE,
WHETHER IT WAS COMING FROM EXHAUSTION
OR SOMETHING GOING ON WITH HIS MARRIAGE-- SOMEWHERE HE JUST LOST IT.
Wright: HUNTER CAME BACK FROM AFRICA,
HE DIDN'T WAKE UP FOR A DAY AND A HALF.
AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HE JUST COULDN'T WRITE.
HE COULDN'T PIECE IT TOGETHER.
HIS LIFE REALLY CHANGED AFTER THAT
AND HE KNEW THAT HE WASN'T THE WRITER THAT HE WANTED TO BE.
- ( chatting ) - * MAN...
* YOU KNOW I DONE ENJOYED THINGS *
* THAT KINGS AND QUEENS WILL NEVER HAVE... *
Wenner: HE STOPPED WRITING FULL-TIME IN THE MID-'70s,
THEN HE'D JUST DO THE ARTICLES.
PART OF WHAT HAPPENED WAS I THINK
THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE HANGING AROUND WOODY CREEK,
AND HE WAS VERY WELCOMING AND ENJOYED IT ALL,
BUT IT REALLY MADE IT DIFFICULT TO WORK.
"...SAFE FOR MY YOUNG SON."
( all laughing )
"BUT THE FRONT DOORS ARE A DIFFERENT MATTER."
Brinkley: I WAS A BIT OF A STRAIGHT MAN ENTERING HIS CARNIVAL LIFE.
HE USED TO CALL HIMSELF A DRUG-ADDLED COMPOUND JUNKIE.
* AND GOOD TIMES, MMM
* I HAVE HAD MY FUN...
Stranahan: I'D GO AROUND TO TAKE CARE OF HUNTER.
IF HE CAN TOSS THE HEINEKEN BOTTLE AND CATCH IT,
HE HASN'T HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK.
AND HE BEGAN TO RETREAT TO OWL FARM MORE AND MORE.
Juan: THEN EVENTUALLY HE DIDN'T REALLY GO OUT AT ALL.
I GUESS PEOPLE CAME TO HIM.
Wenner: HE WAS WRITING OCCASIONAL COLUMNS
FOR THE "EXAMINER" AND HE DID THAT "LONO" BOOK.
THEY WERE ALL RIGHT.
BUT HE WROTE THREE PIECES,
JUST-- THEY WERE JUST BRILLIANT.
ELKO, PULITZER, "POLO"-- THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL,
BUT HIS WORK NEVER GOT QUITE BACK TO THOSE LEVELS.
IT WAS ALL JUST REPETITIVE,
NOT FUNNY GOOFBALL STUFF.
HUNTER WANTED A PERSONA,
BUT HE BECAME A HOSTAGE TO THAT PERSONA
AS HE GOT OLDER AND OLDER
AND HE WAS BEING RIDICULED AS A COMIC-BOOK CHARACTER.
WHEN GARRY TRUDEAU FIRST MADE DUKE
A CHARACTER IN DOONESBURY
IT WAS ABSOLUTELY, LITERALLY,
THE RAOUL DUKE CHARACTER THAT HUNTER INVENTED.
IT WAS HUNTER'S LITERARY PROPERTY.
SO I THINK HE SHOULD'VE-- HE COULD HAVE AND--
IN RETROSPECT-- SHOULD HAVE STOPPED THAT.
BUT THEN HE SAID, "WHAT CAN I DO?
I DECIDED TO OWN IT. THEY WANT TO SEE UNCLE DUKE?
I'LL GIVE 'EM UNCLE DUKE TIMES FIVE."
- WOW. - Man: YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?
Caddell: HE HATED "DOONESBURY." HE HATED BEING A CARICATURE.
HE ALSO LOVED BEING A STAR,
BUT ALSO IT INTERFERED WITH HIM BEING A REPORTER,
WHICH IS WHAT HE WANTED TO BE.
Hunter: IF YOU WANT TO BE A FAMOUS AMERICAN WRITER,
YOU DON'T REALLY THINK OF...
BEING IN THE COMIC STRIPS,
- YOU KNOW, BEING-- - ( ice clatters )
OH, ARE WE DOING THINGS LIKE THAT?
YES, IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA
AND IT WILL BE ON FILM, WON'T IT? MMM.
HUNTER DID BECOME, IN A WAY, A PRISONER OF HIS OWN FAME.
Wright: I WAS GETTING MORE DISTRAUGHT WITH HIS FAME.
IT WAS TOTAL CHAOS IN THE HOUSE.
JUST THOUGHTS OF BOOZE, DRUGS,
STAYING UP FOR DAYS AND PARTIES.
AND LITTLE DID I KNOW HE WAS HAVING AFFAIRS ALL OVER THE PLACE.
IT WAS UNHEALTHY FOR ME, IT WAS UNHEALTHY FOR MY SON.
Brinkley: EVENTUALLY SONDI UNCOVERED A TAPE
OF A WOMAN THAT HE WAS WITH.
Woman: I'm gonna burn up with unfulfilled desire
if I have to stay here one more minute alone.
( Hunter speaks )
No, I don't want the delivery boy. I want you.
( woman giggles )
Wright: SO I REMEMBER SITTING ON THE PHONE,
I LOOKED UP AT HIM AND I SAID,
"YOU KNOW I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO HAVE A DIVORCE."
WELL... ( mimics explosion )
HE JUST BLEW UP AND THEN I GOT SCARED
AND I ENDED UP CALLING THE SHERIFF.
AND A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY COMES OUT TO THE HOUSE.
THE GUYS SAYS...
"UM, DOES HE HAVE ANY GUNS?"
AND I SAID, "'DOES HE HAVE ANY GUNS?'
HE HAS 22 GUNS
AND EVERY ONE IS LOADED."
- ( gunshot ) - Woman: HEY!
( mumbles )
Brinkley: IT WAS NOT AN EASY DIVORCE FOR HUNTER.
HE REFUSED TO LEAVE OWL FARM.
SANDY SAID, "THE ONLY THING HE OWNS IS THIS LAND.
I HAVE TO HAVE HALF OF WHAT HUNTER OWNS,
'CAUSE I'M DIVORCING HIM.
AND I DON'T WANT HALF THE LAND
BECAUSE I HAVE TO LIVE NEXT TO THE SON OF A BITCH."
SO I GOT TO BUY MY LAND BACK.
WELL, I'D GIVEN IT TO HUNTER.
SO THEN I ENDED UP MAKING PAYMENTS TO SONDI FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS.
BUZZ OFF! I'M GOING TO FLORIDA.
Brinkley: HE COULDN'T WRITE.
HE WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED
AND JIMMY BUFFET CAME TO HIS RESCUE
AND ALLOWED HIM TO COME DOWN
AND STAY AT HIS HOUSE IN KEY WEST FREE OF CHARGE.
* WASTING AWAY AGAIN IN MARGARITAVILLE... *
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.
* SEARCHING FOR MY LOST SUGAR AND SALT... *
Hunter: YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN PEOPLE DRIVE SO FUCKING SLOWLY.
IT'S INCREDIBLE. YOU DIRTY SONS OF BITCHES.
MOVE OVER. GO GET IN THE FAST LANE, YOU COCKSUCKERS.
Buffet: THE FIRST THING I SEE IS
"GONZO JOURNALIST COMES TO KEY WEST,"
FRONT PAGE, FUCKING "MIAMI HERALD."
HUNTER'S STRETCHED OUT IN MY APARTMENT.
AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, I GOT A CALL FROM MY ACCOUNTANT.
HE SAID, "WHAT'S THIS
$9,000 TELEPHONE BILL?" AND I WENT...
"OH MY GOD, HUNTER'S DOWN THERE AND I LEFT THE PHONE ON."
AND LIKE ALWAYS...
THEN HE GOT A BOAT AND I THOUGHT, "OH, JESUS."
YOU KNOW, I EXPECTED TO READ THE OBITUARY DURING THOSE DAYS.
* IF I HAD A BOAT, I'D GO OUT ON THE OCEAN *
* AND IF I HAD A PONY
* I'D RIDE HIM ON MY BOAT *
* AND WE COULD ALL TOGETHER *
* GO OUT ON THE OCEAN
* I SAID ME UPON MY PONY ON MY BOAT *
* I SAID ME UPON MY PONY *
* ON MY BOAT.
Anita on tape: Say hello to the dolphins. Well, hello.
Okay.
Anita: WELL, THE FIRST TIME I MET HUNTER,
IT WAS JUST KIND OF A-- BIG WRITER THAT I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT.
WHEN WE GOT MARRIED, HE PROMISED ME 10 YEARS.
I JUST FIGURED HE WAS SUCH A POWERFUL FORCE
THAT HE WOULD KNOW.
IF HE SAID 10 YEARS, THAT MEANT 10 YEARS.
HE HAD TALKED ABOUT SUICIDE A LOT SINCE I'VE KNOWN HIM,
AND NOW I KNOW, TALKING TO HIS FORMER WIFE
AND OTHER GIRLFRIENDS, THAT HE HAD TALKED ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.
Depp: "TROUBLE CAN COME AT YOU
FROM ANY DIRECTION THESE DAYS,
LIKE BEING CHASED THROUGH A CROWDED PARKING LOT
BY A PACK OF VICIOUS STRAY DOGS.
THE WORLD'S SITUATION HAS BECOME SO NERVOUS AND WRONG
THAT DISASTERS THAT WOULD'VE BEEN INCONCEIVABLE
TWO YEARS AGO ARE ALMOST COMMONPLACE TODAY."
Anita: I DID START TO WORRY ABOUT HIM
RIGHT AFTER THE BUSH ELECTION.
THAT I THINK WAS THE TRIGGER.
HE DIDN'T GET ANGRY, HE JUST GOT DEPRESSED.
YOU KNOW, I COULD HANDLE WHEN HE WAS ANGRY,
FEISTY OR SULKY--
ANYTHING BUT DEPRESSED OR SOMETHING I WASN'T USED TO.
* Goodbye, Norma Jean... *
THERE ARE CERTAIN MOMENTS THAT I'M REALLY GLAD I HAD THE CAMERA.
THERE'S A MOMENT I WALK OUT ONTO THE BALCONY--
HE HAD BEEN LISTENING TO "CANDLE IN THE WIND" OVER AND OVER AND OVER.
THERE WAS A LOOK OF A GRIN,
LIKE A ROGUISH EYE IN HIS EYE
WHEN HE WAS ABOUT TO HAVE SOME FUN.
Whoo-hoo-hoo.
Anita: SEEING HIM LOOK AT THE KEYS--
ESPECIALLY TO MUSIC-- WHEN HE WAS HAVING FUN,
YOU COULD SEE IT IN HIS FACE AND ALSO ON THE PAGE.
* I would have liked to have known you *
* Oh, but I was just a kid *
* Your candle burned out long before... *
( both laughing )
- * Your legend ever did. - I feel wet.
Anita on tape: Uh-oh. Good.
WHEN HE DID DIE, HIS WORDS TOOK ON A NEW SPARKLE,
MAYBE BECAUSE THEY ARE FINITE NOW.
WE HAVE A FINITE AMOUNT.
AND JUST THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THE WORDS IS A LUCKY THING.
I MEAN, IMAGINE IN A TWISTED UNIVERSE
WHEN HE DIED IF SOMEHOW HE TOOK
HIS WORDS WITH HIM, HIS WORK.
- ( grapefruit thuds ) - Anita: OH, COME ON, HUNTER.
- THAT WAS NOT COOL AT ALL. - I WAS TOSSING IT TO YOU.
- NO, YOU WEREN'T. - WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
- I DIDN'T HIT HIM IN THE HEAD LIKE THAT. - Anita: THAT'S ENOUGH.
Wolfe: TO FEEL COMPELLED TO BE GONZO ALL THE TIME
MUST HAVE BEEN A BURDEN ON HIS POOR MIND.
HE WAS SO IDENTIFIED WITH THE LIFE HE'S DESCRIBED,
IT WAS HARD FOR HIM NOT TO BE IN COSTUME,
NOT TO BE THE ACTOR THAT WAS REQUIRED.
HUNTER MUST HAVE FELT TRAPPED-- TRAPPED IN GONZO.
Hunter: SO, I'M REALLY IN THE WAY AS A PERSON.
THE MYTH HAS TAKEN OVER
AND I FIND MYSELF, YOU KNOW, AN APPENDAGE.
I'M...
I'M NO LONGER NECESSARY. I'M IN THE WAY.
IT'D BE MUCH BETTER IF I DIED,
THEN PEOPLE COULD TAKE THE MYTH AND MAKE FILMS.
LIKE, WHEN I GO OUT TO--
WHEN I GOT INVITED TO SPEAK AT, SAY, UNIVERSITIES,
I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE INVITING DUKE OR THOMPSON.
so I'm not sure who to be--
SO I'M NOT SURE WHO TO BE.
I suppose that my plans are to figure out some new identity.
You know, I have to kill off one life and start another one--
KILL OFF ONE LIFE AND START ANOTHER ONE.
( "Mr. Tambourine Man" playing )
* HEY, MR. TAMBOURINE MAN, PLAY A SONG FOR ME *
- * I'M NOT SLEEPY... * - ( gunshot )
* AND THERE IS NO PLACE I'M GOING TO... *
Juan: IT WAS NO SECRET THAT
THAT'S THE WAY HE WOULD DIE.
HE'D MADE THAT CLEAR MANY YEARS BEFORE,
THAT WHEN THE TIME CAME, HE WAS GONNA--
HE WAS GONNA TAKE HIMSELF OUT
AND IT WOULD BE WITH A GUN.
SO THAT-- THAT WAS NO SURPRISE.
BUT IT'S ONE THING TO KNOW THAT AT SOME POINT,
YOU KNOW, HE WAS GONNA KILL HIMSELF
AND IT'S ANOTHER WHEN IT ACTUALLY HAPPENS.
IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM
THAT WE WERE THERE.
IT WAS A SUNNY AFTERNOON IN THE WINTER
AND IT WAS JUST A VERY PEACEFUL TIME.
HIS FAMILY WAS THERE AND HE DECIDED
"ALL RIGHT, THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO GO OUT."
IT SOUNDS KIND OF SAPPY,
BUT IT WAS A WARM FAMILY MOMENT.
* I'M READY TO GO ANYWHERE *
* I'M READY FOR TO FADE... *
Steadman: WHEN HE DID IT, JUAN WAS IN THE NEXT ROOM
AND HE SAID, "WHEN IT HAPPENED
I THOUGHT I HEARD A BOOK DROP."
( book thuds )
IT WENT LIKE THAT.
JUAN WENT OUTSIDE WITH A GUN
AND SHOT THREE TIMES INTO THE AIR.
( three gunshots )
Steadman: IT WAS A KIND OF SALUTE TO HIM
AS MUCH AS ANYTHING-- OR SHOCK.
Wright: HUNTER WAS VERY MUCH ABOUT PRESERVING A LEGACY,
AND THIS WAS PERFECT.
THIS WAS ROMANTIC.
AND IN A LOT OF PEOPLE'S MINDS,
IT WAS A VERY STRONG ACT. IT WAS A NOBLE ACT.
"GO OUT WHEN YOU'RE ON TOP." HE WASN'T ON TOP.
HE WAS NOWHERE NEAR ON TOP.
BUT SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT,
AND SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY COURAGEOUS ACT.
I THINK JUST THE OPPOSITE.
I THINK THIS IS A TIME
WHEN A TOGETHER HUNTER THOMPSON
COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS COUNTRY.
* I WOULDN'T PAY IT ANY MIND *
* IT'S JUST A SHADOW YOU'RE SEEING *
* THAT HE'S CHASING... *
Buffet: IT'S A TRAGIC MISTAKE. I WISH HE WAS STILL HERE.
I WISH THERE WAS STILL A HUNTER AROUND TO TALK TO.
IT'S AN AMAZING THING. YOU THINK ON ONE SIDE
IT'S FUN TO REMINISCE, BUT ITS SAD THAT HE'S GONE.
WE COULD HAVE USED A FEW MORE YEARS OF HUNTER.
HE COULD WIELD A PRETTY EFFECTIVE SWORD
AGAINST WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
* I'LL COME FOLLOWIN' YOU... *
( Wenner speaking )
YOU KNOW, JUST ALL OF IT.
JUST ALL OF IT.
HUNTER, NO! YOU BASTARD!
- ( Hunter chuckles ) - FUCKHEAD!
- OH SHIT. - Hunter: YOU'RE OKAY.
I CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT.
( fire roars )
Buchanan: HE FLAMED OUT TOO QUICKLY,
BECAUSE OF THE WAY HE LIVED HIS LIFE
AND CHOSE TO LIVE HIS LIFE.
SO IN MY VIEW IT WAS-- IT WAS SELF-INDULGENT.
MAYBE THAT'S WHAT HE WANTED TO DO,
BUT HE HAD SO MUCH MORE HE COULD GIVE HIS READERS
AND HIS PEOPLE... AND HIMSELF.
( motorcycle roars loudly )
THAT'S FITTING. THAT'S FITTING.
- Man: THAT'S FITTING FOR HUNTER. - A MOTORCYCLE...
- ( men laughing ) - ...ROARS OFF.
OKAY.
Steadman: IT SEEMS WE'RE HERE TODAY TO DISCUSS
SOME KIND IDEA FOR A MONUMENT.
IF I SHOW YOU THIS-- THIS IS THE BASIC IDEA,
BUT ACTUALLY, HUNTER HASN'T APPROVED IT YET.
IT'S JUST A THOUGHT, YEAH.
HE LIVES IN ASPEN
- IN COLORADO. - Man: THAT IS DIFFERENT.
IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO DO
- IN THE NEAR FUTURE? - Hunter: HE'S WRITTEN--
- I'M NOT SURE. - I MEAN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING
THAT MAYBE YOU WANT TO DO AFTER YOU DIE.
OH, YEAH, IT'S IN THE WILL. IT'S ALL DESCRIBED.
IT'S GONNA BE A LITTLE HARD TO DO, PARTICULARLY WITH ME GONE.
THIS RIM OF MOUNTAINS IS A GIANT VALLEY 20 MILES ACROSS.
- IS THIS PROPERTY THAT YOU OWN NOW? - Hunter: YEAH.
THE PROPERTY GOES BACK OVER THE CLIFFS,
SO I CAN DO WHATEVER-- IF I WANTED TO BUILD A...
McDONALD'S, I COULD DO IT BACK THERE.
( "Spirit in the Sky" playing )
Hunter: IT'S GONNA BE A PILE OF ROCKS ABOUT 100' TALL.
* WHEN I DIE AND THEY LAY ME TO REST... *
A GIANT CONE-- CONICAL.
GOING AROUND AND TAPERING DOWN TO THE TOP.
ABOUT EVERY TWO YEARS, THE DOCTOR TELLS ME I'M GONNA DIE.
FOR ALL I KNOW, SOMEHOW I MIGHT LIVE FOR 10 MORE YEARS.
WELL, THAT'S SOMETHING-- NONE OF US KNOW HOW LONG WE'RE GONNA LIVE.
ON TOP OF THE BIG ARM,
A DOUBLE-- A FIST WITH DOUBLE THUMBS-- THE SYMBOL.
I'VE TOLD YOU 1,000 TIMES FOR 10 YEARS--
YOU'VE GOT TO PUT TWO THUMBS ON THE FIST.
Steadman: IT'S BETTER THAN NO THUMB, WHICH IS WHAT YOU HAD.
* SO YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU DIE *
* HE'S GONNA RECOMMEND YOU *
* TO THE SPIRIT IN THE SKY *
* GONNA RECOMMEND YOU TO THE SPIRIT IN THE SKY *
* THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE GONNA GO WHEN YOU DIE *
* WHEN YOU DIE AND THEY LAY YOU TO REST... *
Hunter: AFTER THE CREMATION, THEY PUT THE ASHES IN A CANISTER
AND SHOOT IT OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FIST OVER THE VALLEY.
SAY 500' UP, IT EXPLODES
AND THE ASHES DRIFT OUT ALL OVER THERE.
THAT I DO KNOW ABOUT. WE PLACE ASHES IN DIFFERENT AREAS.
I'M A FIRM BELIEVER IN "ASHES TO ASHES, AND DUST TO DUST."
( crowd cheers )
AND THAT'S IT. THAT'S MY FUNERAL.
Man: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!
( "Lawyers, Guns and Money" playing )
* I WENT HOME WITH THE WAITRESS *
* THE WAY I ALWAYS DO
* HOW WAS I TO KNOW
* SHE WAS WITH THE RUSSIANS TOO? *
* I WAS GAMBLING IN HAVANA *
* I TOOK A LITTLE RISK *
* SEND LAWYERS, GUNS AND MONEY *
* DAD, GET ME OUT OF THIS
* HAH!
* I'M THE INNOCENT BYSTANDER *
* SOMEHOW I GOT STUCK
* BETWEEN THE ROCK AND THE HARD PLACE *
* AND I'M DOWN ON MY LUCK *
* YES, I'M DOWN ON MY LUCK *
* WELL, I'M DOWN ON MY LUCK *
* AND I'M HIDING IN HONDURAS *
* I'M A DESPERATE MAN *
* SEND LAWYERS, GUNS AND MONEY *
Subtitled by AL-97 Subtitled using AMIABLE release subs to sync with SAPHiRE release check out FUNKYSOULS.COM for great music downloads & stuff