Dennis Hopper enjoyed a career in the film industry that few can rival, with a trajectory that began with iconic roles in classics like Rebel Without a Cause and Giant. His subsequent appearances in films such as Cool Hand Luke, Hang’ Em High, and True Grit solidified his standing in Hollywood and extended his influence far beyond.
In 1968, Hopper ventured into the director’s chair for the first time with Easy Rider, a film that stands as a seminal exploration of the 1960s counterculture movement. While he continued to leave his mark as an actor in films like The American Friend and Apocalypse Now, he also took on directorial roles in projects such as The Last Movie and Colors.
Dennis Hopper Hated One Of His Films
Yet, in the world of triumphs, there are inevitable setbacks, and Dennis Hopper experienced a significant one in 1990 with one of his films. His disdain for the movie was so profound that he disassociated himself from it by adopting the pseudonym Alan Smithee, a name employed by numerous directors seeking to disown their work from the credits.
The movie in question is Catchfire, featuring a cast that includes Jodie Foster, Fred Ward, and Vincent Price, along with special appearances by Charlie Sheen, Joe Pesci, and Bob Dylan. In this suspenseful plot, a witness to a mob assassination embarks on a harrowing journey, constantly on the move from one town to another, all while being relentlessly pursued by a deadly assassin dispatched to eliminate her once and for all.
Catchfire experienced a dismal box office performance and garnered scathing reviews from critics upon its initial release. However, two years later, it underwent a transformation, reemerging as a director’s cut titled Backtrack, featuring an additional 18 minutes of footage. This revised version found a more favorable reception, and Dennis Hopper’s name was rightfully reinstated in the credits.
Jodie Foster Found It Challenging Working With Dennis Hopper
The original screenwriter, Anne Louise Bardach, previously shared her experience collaborating with Hopper on Catchfire, implying that the director’s approach was utterly unconventional. According to Bardach, Hopper instructed her to craft a tightly-wound thriller, but the final product turned out to be more of a whimsical and theatrical escapade. She conveyed her thoughts to The Express, labeling her collaboration with Dennis as a profoundly eccentric experience.
Nevertheless, the writer acknowledged Hopper’s strengths, acknowledging, “He had a beautiful eye. Dennis was not a narrative artist; he was a visual artist.” However, not everyone viewed Hopper through such a nuanced lens. Jodie Foster, in particular, found him to be extremely “challenging” to collaborate with.
Anne Louise Bardach told The Express:
“I worked with an actor-director who was a major pain,” she said. “It was very difficult for me. Very difficult.”
From its troubled production to its lackluster storytelling and dismal execution, the film appeared to have a one-way ticket to the discount VHS rack. When a movie’s own director despises their creation, it becomes evident that it’s not worth anyone’s time to watch.
Catchfire can be streamed on Prime Video.
