Just before Dennis Hopper Day, A Wild and Beautiful Ride—a powerful new documentary chronicling the creation of The Waterboys’ latest album Life, Death and Dennis Hopper,—will be released globally on YouTube on Friday, May 16.
The 48-minute film, which premiered exclusively on Night Flight Plus on May 9, follows the making of the epic 25-track album released by Sun Records this spring. Directed by Mick Puck and Duende Visions, the documentary blends sweeping New Mexico landscapes with candid behind-the-scenes moments and soulful commentary from Waterboys frontman Mike Scott, who spent four years crafting the record
Timed just ahead of Dennis Hopper Day, an annual celebration held in Taos, New Mexico on May 17 (Hopper’s birthday), the film provides a poignant reflection on Hopper’s life, legacy, and enduring influence on global culture. The album and film were both deeply inspired by the actor’s wild, multi-faceted journey—from Hollywood’s rebellious youth to spiritual seeker and visionary artist.
“The arc of his life was the story of our times,” says Mike Scott. “He was at the big bang of youth culture in Rebel Without a Cause with James Dean; the beginnings of Pop Art with the young Andy Warhol. He was part of the counterculture, hippie, civil rights, and psychedelic scenes of the ’60s. In the ’70s and ’80s, he went on a wild 10-year rip, almost died, came back, got straight, and became a five-movies-a-year character actor—without losing the sparkle in his eye or the sense of danger or unpredictability that always gathered around him.”
Released on April 4, Life, Death and Dennis Hopper has earned widespread critical acclaim across the U.K., Europe, and the U.S. Featuring standout collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Fiona Apple, Steve Earle, Taylor Goldsmith, and more, the album traces the highs and lows of Hopper’s cinematic and personal legacy, framed as a broader meditation on what it means to live, fall, and rise again.
The film’s global YouTube premiere on May 16 offers fans around the world a chance to experience the journey in real time—just as the town of Taos gathers for its annual tributes, including the Easy Rider Ride, sunset ceremony, and commemorations at Hopper’s final resting place.
The film will be available on The Waterboys YouTube channel on May 16. To learn more about The Waterboys and their worldwide tour, visit https://mikescottwaterboys.com/.
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