In 1963, young Danny Lyon set out to record and glorify the life of the American bikerider.
Over 60 years later, his gripping photos of the Chicago Outlaws motorcycle club have received a cinematic revamp. Now in theaters, The Bikeriders features Tom Hardy, Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Mike Faist, narrating the rise of the Chicago Vandals—a fictionalized take on the Outlaws.
This movie draws inspiration from Lyon’s remarkable 1968 photobook, showcasing how a haven for outcasts morphed into something more eerie and dangerous.
From Humble Beginnings
While The Bikeriders charts the Vandals’ evolution starting in the 1960s, the true tale of their counterpart—the Outlaws—began much earlier. Founded in 1935 as McCook Outlaws Motorcycle Club outside Matilda’s Bar in McCook, Illinois, they saw only sporadic activity during WWII. Their first major rally wouldn’t occur until 1946 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
With increased post-war interest in motorcycles and affordable prices due to military surplus, clubs like Hells Angels and Outlaws started attracting considerable attention. The Outlaws moved their headquarters to Chicago in 1950 and incorporated distinct iconography such as their skull logo and crossed pistons by 1954.
Danny Lyon’s Immersive Project
Danny Lyon began his infatuation with motorcycle culture as a University of Chicago history student in 1959, eventually becoming a Triumph TR6 owner.
Lyon temporarily left Chicago in 1962 for the Civil Rights Movement before returning to embark on his biker project in 1963. By immersing himself fully into the Outlaws’ lifestyle by 1965, he captured intimate moments through photographs and analog tapes.
A Blossoming Love Story
Benny’s headstrong girlfriend Kathy (played by Jodie Comer) dreams of a different life for them—a dynamic that challenges Benny’s loyalty to Johnny (Tom Hardy), the Vandals’ leader.
For Kathy, she immediately fell in love with him. I think at the beginning it was incredibly intoxicating and really exciting. I think she led quite what people would consider a normal, mundane life.
The Bikeriders’ Realism
The film builds on Lyon’s original work with verbatim imitations of his audio interviews. Jodie Comer’s portrayal of Kathy is modeled after real-life interviews conducted by Lyon in 1966 with Kathy Bauer.
Jeff Nichols masterfully utilizes these recordings to impact character development deeply.
The Movie versus Reality
While fictionalizing aspects like Johnny (Hardy’s character) who started the gang just to have an excuse for drinking sessions with friends, modern-day counterparts have taken darker turns. Notably, clashes between Outlaws and Hells Angels erupted into violence during the ‘90s turf war in Chicago.
Modern Legacy
The Outlaws expanded beyond Chicago across 26 states and internationally in nations like France and Japan. Despite their rough reputation—ranked among 300 OMGs (Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs) by the U.S. Justice Department—modern members emphasize an alternative lifestyle rather than organized crime.
A Cinematic Love Letter
According to director Jeff Nichols, This isn’t meant to be a documentary or show disrespect toward the club. It’s about empathizing with feelings of not belonging—that’s universal.
Follow Us
