Matcollis This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

DipitySkillful an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Tweekums Set in 1880s New Mexico this film tells the story of Sheriff Pat Garrett and his hunt for his old friend, the outlaw William H. Bonney... aka 'Billy the Kid'. Early on Pat catches up with Billy and arrests him but he isn't in custody for long as he escapes from the jail in the town of Lincoln, killing two deputies in the process. Billy reunites with friends and head off. Garrett is soon looking for him again and it is only a matter of time before the two will meet again... before then though many other people will die.As one might expect from Sam Peckinpah there are some bloody moments; most notably when Billy guns down a deputy with a shotgun loaded with dimes. Still by today's standards the blood shed is fairly mild. The plot is fairly simple without twists and turns; that suits the subject matter though. Neither of the two protagonists are particularly sympathetic; both are quick on the draw and aren't too bothered by killing people... in fact nobody seems bothered by the violent deaths; children watch as men are gunned down in the street. James Coburn impresses as Garrett and Kris Kristofferson is solid, if a little old, as Billy the Kid. The rest of the cast, which includes many familiar faces is pretty good; even singer Bob Dylan, who also provided the film's music, puts in a good turn as a man who calls himself 'Alias'. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to people who like their westerns gritty with morally ambiguous characters rather than obvious heroes and villains.

SnoopyStyle In 1909 New Mexico, Pat Garrett (James Coburn) is shot many times. In 1881, he's riding into Old Fort Sumner to meet his friend Billy the Kid (Kris Kristofferson). He's taking over as Sheriff of Lincoln County. In five days, he has to follow orders to take on his friend. He and his men follow thru and take Billy the Kid prisoner in a gun fight.Director Sam Peckinpah had difficulties with the studio and the initial cut was received poorly. It's eventually recut into a two hour movie. Kris Kristofferson feels wrong for Billy the Kid. He doesn't have the outlaw murderer feel and he's way too old to play twenty one. It's all wrong. Bob Dylan brings some good music but he sticks out as an actor. I keep thinking that it's Dylan and nothing else. The story is a bit slow and meandering with short bursts of bloody, outrageous violence. I wonder if the Peckinpah name is affecting people's ratings. I don't see this as terrible but it has several problems.

LeonLouisRicci Fans of Sam Peckinpah and Fans of the Movie Western seem to give this Meandering Semi-Incoherent Film a Pass because it is a Sam Peckinpah Western. There are Moments in this Troubled Production that are Poignant and Beautifully Gritty. There are just as Many Others that are Clunky and Awkward.Much Controversy Arises Concerning this Movie the Least of Which is the Casting and Utilization of Bob Dylan as an Actor and His Songs. At Times the Inclusion of the Musical Numbers can be Heartfelt and Effective and at Other Stages not so much. But Using the Dylan (Lyrics or not) Material doesn't do too much to Diminish the Overall Effectiveness. As an Actor in a Smallish Role Mildly Detracts but Again not to the Detriment of the Whole.James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson as the Title Characters, it can be Argued, are Good Enough and along with the Slew of Familiar Faces and Odd Ball Stalwarts the same can be Said. So just what is the Major Malfunction that Keeps this from Becoming a Great Peckinpah, like say The Wild Bunch (1969) or Ride the High Country (1962) or to a Lesser Extent, Fine Films like Straw Dogs (1972) or the Getaway (1974)?The Answer My Friend is the Gloomy, Sombre, Lethargic, Motionless Pace and the Stumbling Editing. Add to that a Few Scenes of some Stiff and Unnecessary Nudity and a Couple of Other Ill-Advised Excesses and Underdeveloped Important Characters. The Studio Interference and the Director's Personal Detachment from Alcohol Abuse and General Belligerence around the Set are most Likely Contributions.Overall it is Worth a Watch and which Version is not that Important because as a Complete Peckinpah Picture it Works more than it Doesn't and is not one of His Worst and not one of His Best.

bkoganbing Like the OK Corral gunfight and the saga of Jesse James, Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid has entered our national mythology and every generation is compelled to have it retold. James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson play the title roles in this epic western from Sam Peckinpah who curiously enough did not turn this into one of his violence ballets like The Wild Bunch.No new facts are uncovered,no new ground is broken here. Former saddlemates Coburn and Kristofferson have parted. In the recent Lincoln County War they were together in the employ of John Chisum played here by Barry Sullivan fighting the Santa Fe Ring. That war is over, for cinematic reference see Chisum and the first Young Guns movie. But Billy won't leave his outlaw ways.Just like soldiers in a war and remember this was the Lincoln County War as the state saw it and the locals called it, when peace breaks out soldiers who've learned violent ways as mercenaries now have those skills and little else. So one either goes into law enforcement or outlawry.Which are the divergent paths that these former friends have taken. Coburn has now the duty to bring in his former saddle pal however, a mandate that comes from Lew Wallace the Territorial Governor of New Mexico and author of Ben-Hur played here by Jason Robards, Jr. It doesn't look good for Kristofferson as a lot of hands are raised against him now.One of my favorite lines from film comes from a John Wayne western Tall In The Saddle where Gabby Hayes says he's all for law and order 'depending on who's dishing it out'. I think there is so much truth to that. In fact it could be Billy The Kid's creed in this film.Sam Peckinpah did a wonderful job in telling this tale once again for the big screen. Also nice to see such stalwart western faces as Chill Wills and Jack Elam. And R.G. Armstrong is wonderful as the self righteous deputy sheriff who Kristofferson blasts into the next world.For western fans an absolute must.