Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Directed by Terry Gilliam • 1998 • United States
Starring Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Ellen Barkin

It is 1971, and journalist Raoul Duke barrels toward Las Vegas—accompanied by a trunkful of contraband and his slightly unhinged Samoan attorney, Dr. Gonzo—to cover a motorcycle race. What should be a cut-and-dried journalistic assignment quickly descends into a feverish psychedelic odyssey. Director Terry Gilliam and an all-star cast, headlined by Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, show no mercy in bringing Hunter S. Thompson’s excoriating dissection of the American way of life to the screen, creating a film both hilarious and savage.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

    Directed by Terry Gilliam • 1998 • United States
    Starring Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Ellen Barkin

    It is 1971, and journalist Raoul Duke barrels toward Las Vegas—accompanied by a trunkful of contraband and his slightly unhinged Samoan attorney, Dr. Gonzo—to cover a motorcycle race. What shoul...

Extras

  • FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS Terry Gilliam Commentary

    This commentary features director Terry Gilliam and was recorded exclusively for the Criterion Collection in Lonson in 2002.

  • FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS Producer and Actor Commentary

    This commentary features producer Laila Nabulsi and actors Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro. It was recorded exclusively for the Criterion Collection in Los Angeles and London in 2002.

  • FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS Hunter S. Thompson Commentary

    This conversation with the late author Hunter S. Thompson was conducted by producer Laila Nabulsi and recorded exclusively for the Criterion Collection at Thompson's home near Aspen, Colorado, in 2002.

  • FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS Deleted Scenes

    The following deleted scenes, selected by Terry Gilliam, were assembled from the original work-print footage.

  • FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS Deleted Scenes with Commentary

    The following deleted scenes feature commentary by Terry Gilliam.

  • Johnny Depp and Hunter S. Thompson Correspondence

    In preparation for portraying author Hunter S. Thompson, actor Johnny Depp spent a great deal of time with him, and they maintained close contact throughout the production. For the following, recorded for the Criterion Collection in London in 2002, Depp selected some of their written corresponden...

  • Hunter S. Thompson Goes to Hollywood

    Director Wayne Ewing spent almost twenty years filming Hunter S. Thompson for his 2003 documentary BREAKFAST WITH HUNTER. This short peice by Ewing follows Thompson on his visit to the set of FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS.

  • Audio Discussion of WGA Dispute

    There were many screenplay adaptations of Hunter S. Thompson's book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas over the years, which ultimately resulted in a protracted dispute over who should receive credit when Terry Gilliam's film was released. Presented here is an audio discussion of that dispute, featur...

  • A Dress Pattern

    The following is a short film Terry Gilliam made as the WGA dispute raged.

  • A Dress Pattern Commentary

    This commentary features director Terry Gilliam.

  • FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS TV Spots

    Marketing FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS was a challenge, as it did not fit into any of the conventional Hollywood categories. Presented here are seven television spots, illustrating the varied attempts to position the film in the mainstream marketplace.

  • The Revolt of the Cockroach People

    In 1971, Oscar Zeta Acosta, an activist attorney and key figure in the Chicano Rights Movement, joined his friend Hunter S. Thompson on a road trip to Las Vegas. In 1974, Acosta appeared at the Festival de Flor y Canto, a Hispanic literary gathering hosted by El Centro Chicano at the University o...

  • Hunter S. Thompson on Oscar Zeta Acosta

    In 1989, Oscar Zeta Acosta's son Marco reissued his father's books The Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo and The Revolt of the Cockroach People, with an introduction by Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson recorded a reading of this introduction for the Criterion Collection in 2002.

  • Breakdown on Paradise Boulevard

    In 1996, Margaritaville Records released a spoken-word CD of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, featuring Jim Jarmusch as Duke, Maury Chaykin as Gonzo, and Harry Dean Stanton as the narrator. Presented here is an excerpt from that CD. This passage, known as the taco stand scene, was never filmed for...

  • Fear & Loathing on the Road to Hollywood

    In 1978, the BBC produced this feature-length documentary following Hunter S. Thompson and illustrator Ralph Steadman on a road trip to Hollywood by way of Las Vegas.

  • FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS Trailer with Commentary

    This commentary features director Terry Gilliam.