Movies

The 1973 film The Last Detail is one the films that has serve to represent the New Hollywood era of film making. Thompson and Bordwell (2006) describes New Hollywood, from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s, gave rise to directors, writers and actors who had film and dramatic education who worked to inject a new vitality to studio-dominated film industry. They were also is associated with the counter-culture movements in particular, sexual, cultural and political liberation The movement emphasized realism which encouraged the use of natural settings versus movie sets which was aided by greater levity in film production due to changes in the Motion Picture Association of America film rating system regarding location filming. At the same time technological developments in cinematography gave rise to the use of editing for artistic effect and the prevalence of the use of 35mm camera film use.

Ashby shot the film in chronological order and on-location. As much as possible, he utilized the developing relationship of the three actors to be reflected in their particular characters and utilizing natural lighting as much as possible respectively. The latter also contributed to the natural and realistic appeal more similar to documentary film than more traditional filming techniques of the 50s and early 60s. The editing of the film resulted to a number of jumps in the story line and remained to have a number of profanities in the dialogues, issues that were a major concern for studio executives. However, the early previews of the film received high praise which laid the concerns to rest. The film presents its protagonists as flawed characters and does not provide any suggestion of redemption at the end of the film similar to the anti-hero protagonists in other New Hollywood films such as Cool Hand Luke or Bonnie and Clyde.  Its use of profanities and rock well as well as its liberal views on alcohol, drugs and prostitution though to a lesser degree than Midnight Cowboy, also reflected the counterculture movements  disdain of traditional cinema. The films editing, like that of Easy Rider, also provides the significant part of the films dramatic effect, leaving the emotional weight to be implied rather than directly illustrated.

The film, and ultimately New Hollywood movies as a whole, utilized European art films of the period as a model for the revival of Hollywood cinema. The European film industry growth was being driven by the global commercial success of art film which was soon adapted to be artistic and industrial standards in the film industry. This was also seen as an indication of the breakdown of the Old Hollywood and gave rise to independent film makers. This did not imply that studios lost their influence over the industry they remained to be the principal financier and distributor of films, but expanded the field to innovations in how films were developed and made them more socially responsive and relevant. Whereas Old Hollywood films were often theatrical and highly deliberate, New Hollywood films which were considered to be part of the greater Hollywood Renaissance movement, focused on highlighting on social realities though they were often very unflattering, raw and against the idealistic portrayals of American life.
   
In addition to making films more appealing to contemporary audience, New Hollywood directors also embraced the idea of films as a means of social reflection and critique. Thompson and Bordwell point out that previous cinematic tradition had a prescriptive quality to them, often over idealizing the prevailing social norms and values. New Hollywood films on the other hand point out that such ideas often led to the development of social disparities leading to the breakdown of the norms, ideals and values romanticized in film. This opened the idea of poverty, crime and vice not only among racial and other marginalized communities but also how such perceived social ills have become prevalent among the middle class, public institutions and the youth. New Hollywood films were wrought in an era of social and cultural change and it is not surprising the film makers of the time also sought to push the barriers of cinema, particularly is long-held institutions of power and influence. More than anything else, New Hollywood marks the realization of the power of mass media and the social role of media. Thus, New Hollywood has not only been a significant in the film industry but also has prevailing and relevant implications to how films are created and utilized in media as well as society.