The film has a real-life basis, but large parts are fictionalized.
Read more about the inspiration for the motorcycle movie below.
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IsThe Bikeridersbased on a true story?
Norman Reedus in ‘The Bikeriders’Kyle Kaplan/Focus Features
Many of the characters in the film have a foundation in Lyons book of photography and stories.
The audiorecording of Kathyrecounting how she met Benny is available to play on bleakbeauty.com.
Theres a photo I gave to every Department Head.
Austin Butler as Benny in director Jeff Nichols’ THE BIKERIDERS, a Focus Features release.
It was in the 2003 edition and it was printed in color.
In the original version, it was printed in black and white.
LyontoldA Rabbits Footthat the books text is made up entirely from audio recordings.
Kathy spoke to him on a 14 inch analog Huer tape recorder.
Are the Chicago Vandals a real biker gang?
The film changed the name slightly.
The film alludes to this founding as the home base of the Vandals is a bar.
According to Biography.com, the Hells Angels biker gang was a chief rival of the Outlaws.
The Hells Angels operated out of Fontana California, where they were founded in 1948.
Funny Sonny was originally a member ofthe Hells Angels.
Cal was also a former Hells Angel, as hinted at in the film when Sonny confronts him.
His real-life inspiration was Arthur Dion.
How did Danny Lyon set out to capture The Bikeriders story?
He left the city in 1962 and became a full-fledged member of the motorcycle group by 1965.
He was 24 when he joined and long gone from school.
Heleft the clubin 1967 as he felt it was time to move on to the next project and story.
Did Cockroach really eat bugs?
Are The Outlaws still around today?
Yes, but as the film hints at, the culture within the chapters in at least26 stateshas changed.
The Outlaws are one of 300 OMGs oroutlaw motorcycle gangslabeled by the U.S. Justice Department as of November 2023.
OMGs are organizations whose members use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprises.
Are there other similar stories about biker culture?
