The film premiered in November 1980 and received significant critical backlash, prompting United Artists to pull it from theaters. In April 1981, a truncated re-cut version was released, though it remained a financial failure, earning only $3.5 million against its $44 million budget and was lambasted by critics. It was subsequently condemned as one of the worst films ever made at the time. According to some film historians such as Peter Biskind, the film's financial failure resulted in the demise of director-driven film production in the American film industry, steering back toward greater studio control of films.Biskind, Peter (1998). Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock-'n'-Roll Generation Saved Hollywood. New York City: Simon & Schuster. . pp. 401–403. The film's failure also led to Transamerica selling United Artists to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, ending their existence as an independent studio.
the film premiered in november 1980 and received significant critical backlash prompting united artists to pull it from theaters in april 1981 a truncated re-cut version was released though it remained a financial failure earning only $35 million against its $44 million budget and was lambasted by critics it was subsequently condemned as one of the worst films ever made at the time according to some film historians such as peter biskind the film's financial failure resulted in the demise of director-driven film production in the american film industry steering back toward greater studio control of filmsbiskind peter (1998) easy riders raging bulls how the sex-drugs-and-rock-'n'-roll generation saved hollywood new york city simon & schuster  pp 401–403 the film's failure also led to transamerica selling united artists to metro-goldwyn-mayer ending their existence as an independent studio