Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Gets a Psychedelic Criterion Release

The Criterion Collection released Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas to Blu-ray on April 26, 2011. Terry Gilliam directed the film starring Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, and Tobey Maguire.

‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ Movie Synopsis

It is 1971, and journalist Raoul Duke barrels toward Las Vegas—accompanied by a trunkful of contraband and his slightly unhinged Samoan attorney, Dr. Gonzo—to cover a motorcycle race. What should be a cut-and-dried journalistic assignment quickly descends into a feverish psychedelic odyssey. Director Terry Gilliam and an all-star cast headlined by Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro show no mercy in bringing Hunter S. Thompson’s excoriating dissection of the American way of life to the screen, creating a film both hilarious and savage.

Read the full summary.

Director-Approved Special Edition Features

• Digital transfer, approved by director Terry Gilliam, with a DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack and an optional 5.1 mix on the Blu-ray edition
• Three audio commentaries: one with Gilliam, one with stars Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro and producer Laila Nabulsi, and one with author Hunter S. Thompson
• Deleted scenes, with optional commentary by Gilliam
• Selection of Thompson correspondence, read on camera by Depp
• Hunter Goes to Hollywood, a short documentary
• A look at the controversy over the screenwriting credit
• Profile of Oscar Zeta Acosta, the inspiration for Dr. Gonzo
• Collection of artwork by illustrator Ralph Steadman
• Excerpt from the 1996 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas recording featuring Jim Jarmusch and Maury Chaykin
• BBC documentary from 1978 with Thompson and Steadman
• Storyboards, production designs, stills, and trailer
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by critic J. Hoberman and two pieces by Thompson

Cover illustration by Ralph Steadman