It’s time for a road trip across mid-century America with some big names riding in some seriously big automobiles. We’ve had pictures and a poster and now we have a trailer for On the Road, Walter Salles‘ adaptation of the 55th best English-language novel of the 20th century.

On the Road is a largely autobiographical work by Jack Kerouac based on the spontaneous road trips of him and his buddies. The novel is often considered one of the defining works of the post-war Beat Generation that was inspired by jazz, poetry, drinks and drugs.  But how well will the story translate to the big screen? Here’s our first look:

This trailer pretty much guarantees a whole bunch of fine performances from many notable actors, and I love the 40s colours, sets and props. While you’ve got to admire writer Jose Rivera for untangling a screenplay from the novel’s fantastically rambling pages, Kerouac’s mad and frenetic passion for life is all in his writing, and I think the film won’t and can’t compare to the book. It’s just a whole different kettle of fish; apples and oranges.

Fans of Kristen Stewart, Sam Riley and Garrett Hedlund can watch On the Road as the latest offering from their favourite thespians, while lovers of Kerouac should see this as a starry homage to a man who lived and lived and never stopped. Until he died at 47 from liver damage due to excessive drinking.

Adaptations – thoughts and feelings? Yay or nay on the voiceover?

Dean and Sal are the portrait of the Beat Generation. Their search for “It” results in a fast paced, energetic roller coaster ride with highs and lows throughout the U.S. On the Road is directed by Walter Salles, written by Jack Kerouac and Jose Rivera, and produced by Francis Ford Coppola.

The film stars Sam Riley (Control), Garrett Hedlund (Country Strong) and Kristen Stewart (Welcome to the Rileys), and co-stars Kirsten Dunst (Melancholia), Viggo Mortensen (The Road), Amy Adams (Junebug) and Tom Sturridge (The Boat that Rocked).

No date yet for On the Road’s New Zealand release.