Rent Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973)
3.7 of 5 from 117 ratings
1h 50min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
They are fast friends and worse foes. One is Billy the Kid (Kris Kristofferson), a law unto himself. The other is the law: Sheriff Pat Garrett (James Coburn), who once rode with Billy. Set to a bristling score by Bob Dylan (who also plays Billy's sidekick Alias) and with a Who's Who of iconic Western players, Sam Peckinpah's saga of one of the West's great legends is now restored to its intended glory. For the first time since it left the cutting room, the film has the balance of action and character development Peckinpah wanted, a mix of fury and elegy based on the director's notes and the insights of colleagues. The difference is profound, as different as an untouched target and a bull's-eye. - Actors:
- James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Jaeckel, Katy Jurado, Chill Wills, Barry Sullivan, Jason Robards, Bob Dylan, R.G. Armstrong, Luke Askew, John Beck, Richard Bright, Matt Clark, Rita Coolidge, Jack Dodson, Jack Elam, Emilio Fernández, Paul Fix, L.Q. Jones, Slim Pickens
- Directors:
- Sam Peckinpah
- Producers:
- Gordon Carroll
- Writers:
- Rudy Wurlitzer
- Aka:
- Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid
- Studio:
- Warner
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama
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Reviews (2) of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
An Impressive Film - A True Masterpiece - Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid review by GI
Director Sam Peckinpah's last western and an evocative, melancholy film that is a masterpiece. A revisionist western that actually celebrates the myths of the old west rather than debunk them with Peckinpah subverting the narrative form to produce one of the finest motion pictures you could ever wish to see. Heavily cut by the studio and disowned by Peckinpah there are now three versions of the film after the film was restored. The original theatrical 106 minute version is a mess and it was rightly ignored for many years but in 1988 a 122 minute version was released which is probably Peckinpah's early cut, it's flawed but is the more complete film. Then in 2005 a careful restoration based on Peckinpah's notes was put together into a 115 minute version, now known as the 'Special Edition'. This last one is my preferred cut but if you love this film then check out the 1988 cut too. The film doesn't follow a standard plot, indeed it could almost be classed as plotless. It's really a series of vignettes that gradually move towards the final confrontation between the two main protagonists. This is a story that has been told many times in cinema. Former outlaw friends Pat Garrett (James Coburn) and Billy Bonney (Kris Kristofferson) have become enemies after Garrett becomes a lawman. They essentially circle around the country seeking redemption in one form or another until their final showdown. This is a film about dying, it deals with the growth of corrupt business quashing the land, it's freedoms and those that live by its natural laws. Garrett sells out and hates himself for it whereas Billy resists change but knows it'll be his undoing. Beautifully shot this is a remarkable film and one you need to see and see again. It's cinema magic and truly awe inspiring.
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Peckinpah Western - Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid review by NO
Not what I expected.Supposed to be a cult western but although Coburn plays it cool & Kris makes his debut all the other old cowboy faces just have walk on parts.
Too many unexplained gunfights-violence just for the sake of it.Was the brothel scene necessary?All that naked flesh!I did not feel that this was a true history of Garrett
& Billy-just a chase film.Scenery etc was authentic but overall disappointing.
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