When this was made, the script was a comment on Regan's America and how the Military/Industrial Alliance combined with Fundamentalist Right Wing Churches tried to influence US politics. Sadly it seems that the points made in this picture are just as valid now as they were then. Hopper is outstanding as the Captain. He is joined by a top class cast who obviously take great delight in their roles. I particularly loved the soundtrack and will forever look at the music of Jimi Hendrix in a new light. Afficionados of the work of "Filthy George" of New York Cable TV fame, will enjoy the sequence which pays tribute to his rather unique "news gathering" techniques. What else can I say, great story, great script, great cast, great soundtrack - a classic, don't miss any opportunity to see this picture which restored my faith in the ability of the US industry to produce an intelligent, witty and thought provoking movie.

source: Riders of the Storm

Moviecut—Riders of the Storm

The American Way

During the Communism there was a custom you basically had not to pay for State propaganda. Well, in America you probably have to pay for your own piece of propagandist trash. I have expected some sort of black comedy. Instead I got boring, crazy, strange and stupid movie about the proper left wing war hating Vietnam veterans fighting the very bad republican religious nuts who want to wage unfair wars in the world. This movie seems to come straight out of heads of Politburo guys after an night of vodka drinking and a dip of LSD. I hope the film makers have asked for money to make this crash in the Soviet Union. You know the was a lot of similar trash made in here so you would well fit in line with this "piece of modern progressive cinema aiming at the corrupted militarist capitalism". I'm so angry I have paid for this. I have seen a ton of such crap during my adulthood. We had to, there was no way around that. Fortunately, the propaganda was free at least at that time.

Sorry. I can't think of a better summary. Riders Of The Storm rules. It's very, very funny, and at the same time, I felt it was very dramatic. I was suprised it's very little known, (maybe because it had a low budget and was filmed in 16mm) but it is well worth watching. It is not a waste of time at all (not like our 'friend', Mr. Maltin tells us) in fact watch it over and over and over and then...watch it some more!

Just when you thought you had seen one of Dennis Hopper's worst movies ever, along comes "The Amarican Way", and a new contender for worst of the worst is born. The script is like a free fall from the heavens, finally crashing to earth in such a predictable manner, there is nothing left. Don't ponder for meaning, because if this is an anti-war movie, it fails to prove any point other than mayhem. More like "The Groove Tube" or "Kentucky Fried Movie" on acid, only the most tolerant viewer will remain through the entire film. In fact, the only relief from the random dialog in the plane is the few welcome moments when the viewer is back on planet earth, a place this entire production has never been. Definitely the cream of the crap, and a must miss, avoid, movie. - MERK

I've been collecting Dennis Hopper films for some time. Tonight I decided to watch "Riders of the Storm" and I'm happily impressed! I bought a VHS copy of it on line for less than $2.00, and a DVD version is over $30.! This movie falls in the category of "Off Beat" or beyond. Hopper played a Vietnam vet in "Apocalpse Now", but this one is much, much closer to one of my all time favorites, "O.C. & Stiggs". My first reaction (and it's still playing), is that it's a combination of "Max Headroom" and "Pray TV". Wonderful entertainment if you like the style. Hope you can find a copy.

A group of Vietnam War veteran pilots try to discredit an ultra-conservative presidential candidate. Campy, low-brow satire of American politics, right-wing morality and the media. Very inexpensive film will probably appeal to Boomers who were in their youth during the 60's and early 70's. (Rating: B+)

The film dates from the time when Reagan was supporting the fundamentalist Christian movement. In the story the candidate woes support from a religious group, which has a strong resemblance to the style of Jehovah's witnesses and their publications. Quite hilarious especially if you are familiar with witnesses. Dennis Hopper creates a great performance as mad captain and he's not the only mad character in this movie. The captain's crew is formed by Vietnam veterans who fly B52 bomber-converted to pirate TV-station plane. They decide to start their own campaign to expose a candidate whom they know to be a war monger planning to take the nation to another war.