Deleted Scenes - Hippie Discovery

Travel Directions:
From Hwy 1 (Trans-Canada Hwy), take Exit 156, “ Jumping Pound Road.” Go south on Jumping Pound Road to a “T” intersection. Turn right (west) on Township Road 244, go 1.9 km, crossing a bridge. Turn right at the intersection marked by the “501 31 No Exit” sign and proceed 0.6 km to a rustic barbed wire gate on the right side of the road. (Do not go as far as the cattle guard.) Do not open the gate. Instead, park nearby and climb the fence to the right side of the gate. Follow vehicle tracks 0.3 km downhill to the clearing. The site is atop the hill to your left on the north side of the creek.

Remarks:
Of the deleted scenes, the Hippie Scene is by far the most imaginative. It is the creative contribution of producer James Shamus, who is also co-president of Focus Features. We have been told that its principal purpose was to show that the adult Ennis and Jack were “competent cowboys.”

109 EXT: BIGHORN MOUNTAINS, WYOMING DAY: CONTINUOUS: 1973: 109

ENNIS and JACK see a brightly painted VW bus going along a narrow little mountain road.

ENNIS

If it’s a hippie, we ought to scalp him.

Up ahead of the bus, they see a creek, swollen from runoff. But the bud [sic] doesn’t slow ...

JACK

Can’t that fool see the creeks in flood?

ENNIS

Probably high on drugs. May not have even noticed the creek, music’s too loud.

[Script excerpt]

This is a scene of contrasts. The 1960s are long gone and, in their place, Jack and Ennis now find themselves in the era of loud music, drugs, and flower power. No longer a timid 19-year-old, Ennis has assumed a conservative redneck persona. The Bighorns, once the province of rugged ranchers and cowboys, have been discovered by very different, very gentle, visitors. Most interestingly, the scene contrasts a generation which boldly espoused free heterosexual love, and liberal sexual mores, with the secret, confined world of two deeply closeted Brokeback cowboys.

Important:
Always obtain appropriate permission before entering private property. Exercise special caution in areas where livestock may be present.

Deleted Scenes - Hippie Discovery

Photo by Kimberley French

Contributed photo

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