The books Abbie Hoffman wrote are interesting. But it is the film Steal This Movie that evokes emotion in me, makes me laugh and cry, makes me angy and sad and think about it. Possibly because I find Abbie's life story so utterly poignant. And because of Vincent's outstanding perfomance! Also, Abbie's immense strength is encouraging.
A page of the letter from Abbie Hoffman to John Sinclair, discussing the upcoming trial of the Chicago Seven
(Full text of letter here)
The FBI Headquarters copied 4,100 pages of files, covering Abbie Hoffman.
Democratic Convention in Chicago 1968
Abbie Hoffman - "The only way to support a revolution is to make your own."
"I was probably the only revolutionary referred to as cute."
May be Abbie was cute, but in my opinion, that's not so impartial for obvious reason, Vincent is HOT!
Another quote by Hoffman:
"You measure a democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists".
"I only regret that I have but one shirt to give for my country."
Post-trial statement after being declared guilty of flag desecration for wearing a shirt that resembled an American flag (1968)
"We were young, we were reckless, arrogant, silly, headstrong ... and we were RIGHT! I regret nothing!"
Closing words from his last speech, Vanderbilt University (April 1989)
"The '60s are gone, dope will never be as cheap, sex never as free, and the rock and roll never as great."
"The key to organizing an alternative society is to organize people around what they can do, and more importantly, what they want to do."
"The first duty of a revolutionist is to get away with it. The second duty is to eat breakfast. I ain't going."
Spoken to police immediately prior to his arrest at the Lincoln Hotel Restaurant in Chicago (August 1968)
"My critique of democracy begins and ends with this point:
Kids must be educated to disrespect authority or else democracy is a farce."
"There is absolutely no greater high than challenging the power stucture as a nobody, giving it your all, and winning."
A page of the letter from Abbie Hoffman to John Sinclair, discussing the upcoming trial of the Chicago Seven
(Full text of letter here)
The FBI Headquarters copied 4,100 pages of files, covering Abbie Hoffman.
Democratic Convention in Chicago 1968
Abbie Hoffman - "The only way to support a revolution is to make your own."
"I was probably the only revolutionary referred to as cute."
May be Abbie was cute, but in my opinion, that's not so impartial for obvious reason, Vincent is HOT!
Another quote by Hoffman:
"You measure a democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists".
"I only regret that I have but one shirt to give for my country."
Post-trial statement after being declared guilty of flag desecration for wearing a shirt that resembled an American flag (1968)
"We were young, we were reckless, arrogant, silly, headstrong ... and we were RIGHT! I regret nothing!"
Closing words from his last speech, Vanderbilt University (April 1989)
"The '60s are gone, dope will never be as cheap, sex never as free, and the rock and roll never as great."
"The key to organizing an alternative society is to organize people around what they can do, and more importantly, what they want to do."
"The first duty of a revolutionist is to get away with it. The second duty is to eat breakfast. I ain't going."
Spoken to police immediately prior to his arrest at the Lincoln Hotel Restaurant in Chicago (August 1968)
"My critique of democracy begins and ends with this point:
Kids must be educated to disrespect authority or else democracy is a farce."
"There is absolutely no greater high than challenging the power stucture as a nobody, giving it your all, and winning."
I actually stayed at the old Lincoln Hotel once, back in 1985, I believe. The hotel was sold to the Days Inn Chain about 10 years ago, and more recently, was purchased for renvoation ... but of course, the buyers ran out of credit/money, so now it sits empty. It was a charming little hotel, and the old restaurant/coffee shop was just as charming. Now its been turned into a typical Lincoln Park, yuppie restaurant. Abbie would not be happy about that, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteOh god, a another stunning post, one of your best yet.
ReplyDeleteOh jazzy, I love his performance as Abbie. But you already know that ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post!
No wonder the government couldn't get out of Vietnam, they were too busy investigating Abbie. Love the post, love the film, love the man.
ReplyDeleteAnother movie I can't watch very often, purely on the grounds Abbie's situation winds me up to EPIC proportions. Vincent was brilliant - as usual - and the audio commentary on the US DVD is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Jazzy. Very well thought out.
ReplyDeleteHe was great. So many great moments in the movie, and it was lovely to have Vincent and Janeane pointing them out in the commentary with all that laughter. He has a wonderful laugh.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite movie. Vincent is amazing in this one. Great post, Jazz!
ReplyDeleteI think you know how I feel about STM ;)
ReplyDeleteFabulous post Jazzy.
Watching STM made me go and find out more about Abbie, which was the whole point of the movie I guess...well it worked on me..to the extent that I e-mailed a national newspaper when they attributed a quote made by Abbie to a woman..I'm still cross about that even though it was months ago!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Jazzy, about 2 brilliant men :-)