Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid (1973)

[Scott]

Encore Western Channel just played PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID (1973) last night. This is another Sam Pekinpah film. Just fantastic. The whole film is great. It stars Coburn and Kristopherson. The music, atmosphere, the gun fights. Phew ! ! ! These are the all the Pekinpah films I have seen so far:

Staw Dogs
Wild Bunch
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid

[The Burgomaster]

I recommend CROSS OF IRON. Unfortunately, the DVD version (from Hen's Tooth Video) really stinks and is not even a widescreen version.

MAJOR DUNDEE and RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY are good "pre-violence" Peckinpah films.

THE GETAWAY with Steve McQueen is very good.

For some reason, I like THE KILLER ELITE and THE OSTERMAN WEEKEND, even though they are both pretty weak.

And don't forget CONVOY, JUNIOR BONNER and THE BALLAD OF CABLE HOGUE.

[Scott]

I may have seen CROSS OF IRON if it is the WWI film and CONVOY i remember seeing quite awhile ago. I didn't know Pekinpah did it.

[Neville]

In my opinion the ones that are real good from The Burgomaster list are "The ballad of Cable Hogue", "The cross of iron" and "Major Dundee". I liked "Patt Garrett & Billy The kid" when I saw the restored version on TV, but I still think the movie just rambles aimlessly for most of its screen time. I have the first minutes stuck on my mind forever, though, they may be the best Peckinpah ever made, "The wild bunch" apart.

[jmc]

CABLE HOGUE is one of his better films, but don't go in expecting something like THE WILD BUNCH.

[Scott]

I wonder were or when I'll be able to see CABLE HOGUE? It will probably pop up on Encore Western Channel someday.

About PAT GARRETT & BILLY THE KID, It was that rambling that made this one a good one with the music. I think it was the rambling and the laid back music that went with it that put me in the right mind set.