From 'Bonnie and Clyde' to 'Star Wars': The real history of New Hollywood - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Mark AthitakisFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The article explores the rise of New Hollywood directors like George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg during the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting their attempts to break free from traditional studio systems. Despite initial successes with groundbreaking films such as *Bonnie and Clyde*, *Star Wars*, and *Jaws*, these filmmakers ultimately reinforced rather than dismantled the studio system they sought to challenge. Their ambitious projects, driven by both artistic vision and financial desperation, reshaped Hollywood but failed to achieve lasting independence.
The article delves into the contrasting careers of Lucas, Coppola, and Spielberg, revealing their struggles with balancing creativity and commerce. For instance, Lucas’s *Star Wars* revolutionized filmmaking but led him to prioritize lucrative franchises over experimental projects, distancing him from his original artistic goals. Similarly, Coppola’s *Apocalypse Now* solidified his status as an auteur but left him financially strained, leading to the collapse of his independent studio venture, Zoetrope. Spielberg, though wildly successful with *Jaws* and *Raiders of the Lost Ark*, also became entangled in the commercial machine he sought to challenge.
The piece emphasizes that while these directors disrupted traditional storytelling and box office records, their ultimate impact was more about adapting to—and thriving within—the existing system rather than dismantling it. Their stories reveal a tension between artistic ambition and market forces, a dynamic that continues to shape Hollywood today. This nuanced perspective offers valuable insights for readers interested in the evolution of American cinema and the ongoing struggle for creative independence in an industry dominated by big business.
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/20/2026