Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls chronicles the rise and fall of New Hollywood cinema from the late 1960s through the early 1980s. The book tracks the careers of filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Dennis Hopper, and Peter Bogdanovich during this transformative era. Through hundreds of interviews and extensive research, author Peter Biskind documents how these young directors revolutionized the studio system and created a new kind of American filmmaking. The narrative follows their journeys from film school to mainstream success, examining both their creative breakthroughs and personal struggles with fame, drugs, and power. The book captures the cultural upheaval of the 1970s through the lens of Hollywood, revealing how societal changes influenced and shaped the films of the period. Biskind's account serves as both a film history and a cautionary tale about the price of success in the entertainment industry. The text stands as an exploration of artistic ambition, creativity under pressure, and the complex relationship between commerce and art in American cinema. It raises questions about whether true innovation in filmmaking can survive within the Hollywood system.

Readers praise the book's detailed look at 1970s Hollywood and behind-the-scenes stories about filmmakers like Coppola, Scorsese, and Spielberg. Many note the compelling narrative style makes complex industry dynamics accessible. Readers liked: - Rich collection of first-hand accounts - Intimate portraits of directors and executives - Clear explanation of how the studio system changed - Fast-paced, gossipy tone Readers disliked: - Focus on scandalous behavior over filmmaking craft - Potential bias and accuracy issues - Overemphasis on negative aspects - Limited coverage of some important films One reader called it "more focused on cocaine and bed-hopping than actual cinema." Another noted it "reads like a tabloid but contains valuable film history." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (22,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (650+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) The book remains consistently rated in the 4-4.5 star range across review platforms despite criticisms about its sensationalist approach.

Pictures at a Revolution by Mark Harris A detailed chronicle of the five Best Picture nominees of 1967 that documents Hollywood's transition from studio system films to New Hollywood.

The Devil's Candy by Julie Salamon A behind-the-scenes account of the making of Brian De Palma's "The Bonfire of the Vanities" reveals the inner workings of a Hollywood production gone wrong.

Rebels on the Backlot by Sharon Waxman A exploration of six maverick directors - Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, David Fincher, Steven Soderbergh, David O. Russell, and Spike Jonze - who transformed 1990s cinema.

Down and Dirty Pictures by Peter Biskind The story of how Miramax, Sundance, and the rise of independent film changed the movie business in the 1990s.

Final Cut by Steven Bach A first-hand account of the making of "Heaven's Gate" chronicles the fall of United Artists and the end of director-driven Hollywood.

🎬 The book was adapted into a documentary film of the same name in 2003, featuring interviews with many of the directors and actors profiled in the book. 🎯 Several prominent filmmakers, including Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, disputed some of the book's claims and criticized Biskind's portrayal of events from the era. 🌟 Peter Biskind spent three years conducting over 400 interviews to create this comprehensive look at New Hollywood, including conversations with Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, and Dennis Hopper. 📽️ The book chronicles how a group of young filmmakers—dubbed "film school generation"—revolutionized Hollywood between 1967 and 1980, starting with Bonnie and Clyde and ending with Heaven's Gate. 💫 The title combines two influential films of the era: Easy Rider (1969) and Raging Bull (1980), which respectively marked the beginning and end of the New Hollywood movement described in the book.