HUNTER S. THOMPSON & NEW JOURNALISM
Hunter Stockton Thompson (July 18, 1937 – February 20, 2005), Kentucky-born, Air Force veteran, dedicated to journalism early on, was a storyteller who incorporated anthropological approaches to his journalistic fieldwork. He perceived the truth that a story about others depended on the self at the desk writing the story. How much, how honestly, and how overtly that self is recognized in the story is critical, Thompson felt, and he wasn’t shy about saying so. He is the founder of New Journalism, what he called “gonzo journalism,” which is an ongoing experiment in narrative in which the writer is a central character and thereby a participant in what is related or described.
Thompson’s influence is staggering to this day. Not only the obvious comrades in the field — Jimmy Breslin, Truman Capote, Joan Didion, David Halberstam, Pete Hamill, Norman Mailer, Joe McGinniss, George Plimpton, Rex Reed, Mike Royko, Terry Southern, Gail Sheehy, Gay Talese, Dan Wakefield, and Tom Wolfe — but fiction writers, too, paid attention to the possibilites of what Thompson articulated.
Thompson is an essential American moral voice in its literature, a description that would probably make him laugh, but consider the evaluation an Air Force officer wrote in giving Thompson his honorable discharge: "In summary, this airman, although talented, will not be guided by policy. Sometimes his rebel and superior attitude seems to rub off on other airmen staff members.” Classic description of the role of the writer in American literature.
In developing this page, associated New Journalism writers will be added, both those contemporary to Thompson and those who operate in his legacy.
DVD - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Criterion edition
DVD - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Criterion edition
DVD video release of the film produced in 1998.; Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround and DTS.; Optional subtitles: English for the deaf and hearing impaired.; Special features: DISC 1: Three audio commentaries (Terry Gilliam; Johnny Depp, Benicio del Toro, Laila Nabulsi; Hunter S. Thompson); Deleted scenes with commentary by Terry Gilliam; DISC 2: Storyboards and production designs; Stills gallery; A selection of Hunter S. Thompson correspondence read by Johnny Depp; Hunter goes to Hollywood a short documentary by Wayne Ewing; A look at the controversy over the screenwriting credit; Original trailer and TV spots; Rare materials on Oscar Zeta Acosta, the inspiration for Dr. Gonzo; Collection of original artwork by illustrator Ralph Steadman; Excerpt from 1996 Fear and Loathing audio CD; Fear and Loathing on the road to Hollywood, a 1978 BBC documentary.; It is 1971 and journalist Raoul Duke barrels towards Las Vegas to cover a motorcycle race, accompanied by a bootload of contraband and his slightly unhinged Samoan attorney, Dr Gonzo. But what is ostensibly a cut-and-dried journalistic endeavour quickly descends into a feverish psychedelic odyssey and an excoriating dissection of the American way of life.; Includes a booklet featuring an essay by critic J. Hoberman and two pieces by Thompson.; Cast: Johnny Depp, Benicio del Toro, Ellen Barkin, Gary Busey, Cameron Diaz, Mark Harmon, Katherine Helmond, Tobey Maguire, Christina Ricci.; Credits: Director of photography, Nicola Pecorini; production designer, Alex McDowell; costume designer, Julie Weiss; film editor, Lesley Walker.; NTSC Region 1: USERS IN UK REQUIRE MODIFIED DVD PLAYER.