Films about hippies often explore themes of counterculture, anti-establishment ideals, peace, love, and sometimes drug use. These films might be set during the height of the hippie movement in the 1960s and 70s or involve characters influenced by the lifestyle during other periods. They can range from comedies and dramas to documentaries, providing various perspectives on the social movement that profoundly impacted culture and society.
Here is a list of films that explore the topic of hippies:
“Easy Rider”, 1969
Director: Dennis Hopper
This quintessential hippie film follows two bikers, Wyatt and Billy, who travel through the American Southwest and South with the hopes of achieving freedom and escaping societal constraints. Along the way, they encounter other hippies, drugs, and communes, reflecting on the counterculture of the era.
Starring: Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Toni Basil, Karen Black, Antonio Mendoza, Phil Spector, Mac Mashourian, Warren Finnerty, Tita Colorado;
Production year: 1969;
Genre: drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Easy Rider” on the website imdb.com
“Hair”, 1979
Director: Milos Forman
An adaptation of the 1968 Broadway musical of the same name, “Hair” is a rock musical focusing on a group of hippies in New York City during the Vietnam War. It showcases their lifestyle, anti-war protests, and the famous long, unkempt hair that became a symbol of the movement.
Starring: John Savage, Treat Williams, Beverly D'Angelo, Annie Golden, Dorsey Wright, Don Dacus, Cheryl Barnes, Richard Bright, Nicholas Ray, Charlotte Rae;
Production year: 1979;
Genre: musical, drama, melodrama, comedy, war;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Hair” on the website imdb.com
“The Trip”, 1967
Director: Roger Corman
Directed by Roger Corman, this film stars Peter Fonda as a TV commercial director who experiences a series of psychedelic escapades after taking LSD for the first time. It aims to visually replicate the experience of a psychedelic trip and delves into themes of self-discovery and existentialism, common among hippie culture.
Starring: Peter Fonda, Susan Strasberg, Bruce Dern, Dennis Hopper, Salli Sachse, Barboura Morris, Judy Lang, Luana Anders, Beach Dickerson, Dick Miller;
Production year: 1967;
Genre: drama;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 82 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
More information about the film “The Trip” on the website imdb.com
“Taking Woodstock”, 2009
Director: Ang Lee
Directed by Ang Lee, this comedy-drama is based on a true story and tells how the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival came to be. It focuses on a young man working at his parents' motel in the Catskills, who inadvertently plays a pivotal role in the creation of the iconic 1969 festival.
Starring: Henry Goodman, Edward Hibbert, Imelda Staunton, Demetri Martin, Kevin Chamberlin, Lee Wong, Anthoula Katsimatides, Clark Middleton, Bette Henritze, Sondra James;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, comedy, biography, history, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Taking Woodstock” on the website imdb.com
“Alice's Restaurant”, 1969
Director: Arthur Penn
This film is an adaptation of Arlo Guthrie's song “Alice's Restaurant Massacree” and features Guthrie himself playing a fictionalized version of his life and experiences surrounding the Vietnam War draft and counterculture.
Starring: Arlo Guthrie, Patricia Quinn, James Broderick, Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Michael McClanathan, Geoff Outlaw, Tina Chen, Kathleen Dabney, William Obanhein;
Production year: 1969;
Genre: drama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Alice's Restaurant” on the website imdb.com
“Across the Universe”, 2007
Director: Julie Taymor
A musical romantic drama that incorporates numerous Beatles songs into its narrative. The story is set in the 1960s and follows a group of young people, including a few devoted hippies, through the decade's tumultuous events, including the anti-war movement.
Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther, T.V. Carpio, Spencer Liff, Lisa Dwyer Hogg, Nicholas Lumley, Michael Ryan;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: musical, melodrama, fantasy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Across the Universe” on the website imdb.com
This list represents a small selection of films that reflect the various aspects of hippie culture and how it has been portrayed in cinema over the years.
In conclusion, films about hippies offer a colorful and often poignant portal into the countercultural movements of the 1960s and beyond, capturing the spirit of a generation that sought to rebel against the established norms with love, peace, and freedom. They serve as time capsules, preserving the essence of the hippie ethos, while also providing commentary on the social, political, and personal transformations of the era. Through a selection that ranges from the idealistic and celebratory to the critical and introspective, these films not only entertain but also invite reflection on the lasting impact that the hippie movement has had on contemporary culture and society. They remind us of a time when the pursuit of a more harmonious existence defined a generation's identity and continue to inspire discussions on how far we have come and the ideals we continue to strive for.
