Easy Riders, Raging Bulls

Simon & Schuster

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Headquarters	United States
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Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N Roll Generation Saved Hollywood is a 1998 publication authored by Peter Biskind and released by Simon & Schuster. This work explores the revolutionary period of Hollywood during the 1960s and 1970s, focusing on iconic movies such as The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, The French Connection, Chinatown, Taxi Driver, Jaws, Star Wars, The Exorcist, and The Last Picture Show. The book provides a comprehensive examination of the influential directors and producers who defined this era and whose impact endures in the film industry. Its title alludes to two significant films that bracket this timeframe: Easy Rider (1969) and Raging Bull (1980).

In 2003, this book served as the basis for a documentary sharing its name, directed by Kenneth Bowser with narration by William H. Macy. The documentary was showcased out of competition at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival and achieved a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on eight critical reviews.

Featured personalities in the book

• Robert Altman
• Hal Ashby
• Luke Askew
• Gerald Ayres
• Warren Beatty
• Peter Bogdanovich
• Francis Ford Coppola
• Brian De Palma
• Robert Evans
• Peter Fonda
• William Friedkin
• Buck Henry
• Dennis Hopper
• Amy Irving
• George Lucas
• Marcia Lucas
• John Milius
• Jack Nicholson
• Polly Platt
• Bob Rafelson
• Bert Schneider
• Leonard Schrader
• Paul Schrader
• Martin Scorsese
• Cybill Shepherd
• Don Simpson
• Steven Spielberg
• Robert Towne

Participants interviewed in the film

• Dede Allen
• Peter Bart
• Tony Bill
• Karen Black
• Peter Bogdanovich
• Ellen Burstyn
• Roger Corman
• Micky Dolenz
• Richard Dreyfuss
• Peter Fonda
• Carl Gottlieb
• Jerome Hellman
• Monte Hellman
• Dennis Hopper
• Willard Huyck
• Stanley Jaffe
• Henry Jaglom
• Gloria Katz
• Margot Kidder
• Laszlo Kovacs
• Kris Kristofferson
• Mardik Martin
• Mike Medavoy
• Sylvia Miles
• John Milius
• Charles Mulvehill
• David Newman
• Arthur Penn
• Michael Phillips
• David Picker
• Polly Platt
• Albert S. Ruddy
• Jennifer Salt
• Andrew Sarris
• Paul Schrader
• Cybill Shepherd
• Jonathan Taplin
• Joan Tewkesbury
• Fred Weintraub
• Gordon Willis
• Rudy Wurlitzer
• Vilmos Zsigmond

Reception

Several directors featured in the book voiced strong criticism toward Biskind, often expressing it vehemently. Robert Altman condemned both the author and his approach, labeling the work as "hate mail" and accusing Biskind of producing a deliberately damaging piece commissioned by others. Francis Ford Coppola claimed that Biskind selectively interviewed only those who held unfavorable opinions about him.

Biskind’s depiction of the Sundance Film Festival attracted significant backlash; he portrayed it primarily as a mechanism to rescue a problematic real estate transaction connected to Robert Redford’s ski resort. According to Biskind, Sundance failed to fulfill its original goal of supporting independent filmmakers. Redford responded by highlighting the festival’s achievements and refuting any negative implications suggested by Biskind.

Critic Roger Ebert relayed Steven Spielberg’s assertion that all allegations made about him in the book were inaccurate, while Ebert himself observed that Biskind shaped narratives to suit his own perspective.

Filmmaker William Friedkin dismissed Biskind’s portrayal of him as a blend of "partial truth, partial myth and partial lies," attributing some claims to spurned romantic partners. Peter Bogdanovich expressed dissatisfaction, noting that despite extensive time spent with Biskind, he felt misrepresented.

In an interview from 2014, Biskind acknowledged feeling upset by the adverse reactions but pointed out Coppola’s enduring legacy due to his seminal films. He also mentioned reconciling with Coppola during a 2000 cruise; however, witnesses recounted Coppola confronting Biskind with hostile questions before concluding with a pointed "I forgive you," referencing a notable scene from Godfather II.

See also

• A Decade Under the Influence, a documentary exploring the New Hollywood period (2003)