After The Bikeriders, What Happened To The Real Benny & Kathy?
Based on a photography book documenting the founding of one of the first motorcycle gangs in the Midwest, The Bikeriders is a partly fabricated drama with two main characters, Benny and Kathy, based on actual individuals. Played by Austin Butler in the film, the actual Benny was a rather enigmatic Outlaws Motorcycle Club member; Jodie Comer's Kathy was the young woman he married. On which The Bikeriders is based, Kathy supplied most of the spoken backstory for Danny Lyon's acclaimed photography book, as shown in the film.
Kathy's battle to get Benny away from the club and hence the life he loves is the major narrative center of the film. Although some of the other members of the motorcycle club might want to be actual outlaws, they are all, in a sense, presenting a front. Conversely, Benny is the actual version of that character in the real world. Although their narrative didn't finish there, the ending of The Bikeriders shows Kathy finally wins in dragging Benny away from that way of life.
Kathy Died Some Time Before the Bikeriders Were Released
Finding much pertinent information on Kathy Bauer, the actual inspiration for Jodie Comer's on-screen Kathy, might prove challenging. A picture of the real Kathy may be displayed as The Bikeriders' credits roll; the actual audio recordings of her talks with Danny Lyon are accessible to listen to and show exactly how faithfully Comer was able to depict Kathy. After he left the club, she and Benny did indeed settle down and finally found themselves in Florida as the film depicts.
According to the Telegraph, the actual Danny Lyon—who Mike Faist plays in the film—tried several times over the years to get in touch with Benny and Kathy without success. But Kathy and Benny's son Kirk contacted Lyon when The Bikeriders first came out. Lyon said that although he didn't say exactly when, Kathy had died at some time before the film came out.
Benny Still Alive & Living in Florida
Originally contacted by Kathy and Benny's son Kirk, Lyon discovered that the real Benny was still alive and residing in Florida. Years later, Lyon was initially implanted with the actual Outlaws, and the two were able to reconnect. Lyon sent The Telegraph one amusing piece of the exchange.
So I give Benny a call. We really had a fantastic conversation. He exudes great energy. Then he says, "Hey, you know the photo of me at the pool hall?" Sure, I replied. He replies, "It's not me." Which? 'See the tattoos. Not me is the answer here.
Like Kathy, though, not much more research on the actual Benny is accessible. The Bikeriders lacks a meaningful epilogue, at least not one that stretches beyond Danny and Kathy's last interview at their Florida house. In that scene, it comes clear that Benny, who had been mentioned in the film before, went to work as a mechanic with his cousin. Ironically, Benny is still alive and in his 80s even with his live-fast, die-young mindset that Austin Butler brilliantly captures in the film.
Examining the Real-Life Inspiration: The Bikeriders
Inspired by the real-life events of Danny Lyon, a photographer who spent several years chronicling the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, The Bikeriders, a dramatized narrative about a motorcycle club in 1960s America, is The foundation for the movie came from Lyon's photographic book, The Bikeriders; although it presents a gripping and dramatic story, it is nevertheless a work of fiction. Real persons inspire the characters in the movie; although they have certain things in common, their narratives in the movie differ from those in real life.
The way Austin Butler and Jodie Comer depict Benny and Kathy in the movie is modeled by the experiences of the actual Benny and Kathy. The film catches the core of their relationship, their challenges, and their love for one another. The movie does artistic license, though, and the actual Benny and Kathy's life differed greatly from that of their counterparts on screen. Like the movie, their narrative is evidence of the strength of love and the difficulties people encounter negotiating the complexity of life.
The Power of Storytelling and Photographs: The Bikeriders
The Bikeriders' film revolves mostly around Danny Lyon's photography and documentarian work. Embedded with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club for several years, Lyon captured their life, hardships, and friendship. The basis for the narrative of the movie came from his pictures and the accompanying audio recordings; his work offers a special and personal window into the 1960s motorcycling club scene. The film's sharp realism and emotional depth clearly show Lyon's dedication to truly recording the life of the Outlaws. His work reminds us of the ability of narrative and photography to vividly portray the complexity of human experience and to bring the life stories of actual people alive.
The Bikeriders serve as a reminder of the ongoing ability of narrative to influence. This narrative reminds us of the universal subjects of love, loyalty, and the decisions we take that help to define our life over time. The movie honors the actual Outlaws Motorcycle Club as well as the people that comprised their neighborhood. This narrative honors our human spirit, our ability for love, and our fortitude against hardship.
