Certainly, his writings have garnered many fans over the years, including Terry Gilliam. That, and the fact that Thomspon was such a bizarre character have also contributed to his status as one of the great writers of the last half century. While not what you would call the most natural journalist, Thompson’s writings are fascinating nonetheless, and offer a very unique voice to an era in our history that represented significant change. And one of his favorite subjects to write about was the rising drug culture in America, one in which he had very personal knowledge of. He was known for injecting his own bizarre experiences into his press pieces and for documenting the social, political, and cultural upheavals of the 60’s and 70’s with a sharp critical perspective. The creator of what would in time be called “Gonzo Journalism,” Hunter Thompson’s style of writing has achieved legendary status. Thompson, one of the counter-culture movement’s most notorious and influential writers. And if there were one title that has benefitted greatly from the Criterion treatment, this oddball masterpiece would certainly be it.įear and Loathing in Las Vegas was adapted from the book of the same name by Hunter S. It’s his 1998 cult hit, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Spine #175). For this article, I will be taking a look at one of Terry Gilliam’s later pieces of work one that actually marks a departure for the director in some ways, while at the same time being an ideal presentation of his unique style. They also give you a sense of the director’s versatility, showcasing his ability to create modern social commentaries ( Brazil, Spine #51) as well as pure fantasy adventures (Time Bandits, #37). Although Gilliam’s filmography isn’t as extensively included in the collection as some other filmmakers, the ones that are present are certainly worthy of their placement. That stong artistic style that has shaped Terry Gilliam’s film career has also made him a favorite from the Criterion company, earning some of his movies a coveted place in their collection. Couple that with an absurdist and anti-authoritarian point of view, and you can easily see the common current of Gilliam’s filmography.
Gilliam has a fondess for fantasy and science fiction really, anything that delves away from the ordinary. Though his films are practically produced, it’s the content and stories that often set his work apart. Starting off as the animator and sixth member of the legendary comedy troupe Monty Python, Gilliam soon made the transition to acclaimed filmmaker, bringing along his strange and whimsical sensibilities with him in the process. The films and career of filmmaker Terry Gilliam are unlike anything else seen in Hollywood.