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Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

71.36.101.237

Watched this on TCM last night, this being the second time I've seen it.
I think the version I saw last night was different from the version
which was included in a 4 pack of Peckinpah westers I bought several
years ago.

I must say that I had not intended to watch it to the end, but found
myself unable to turn it off. This is a far better film than my
initial viewing lead me to believe. James Coburn's performance is
**string** and Kristopherson's is pretty dame good too. In addition,
there are great performances by several of Peckinpah's regulare,
particularly Chill Wills and Slim Pickens - the extended scene in the
bar with Coburn and Wills is, to my mind, a classic of western movie
making. The story deals very effectively I think with SP's usual
themes of men out of place and time, of selling out to "progress",
and the unwillingness of the main characters to adapt and change.

I now think that Sam P. has made 3 truly great westerns: The Wild Bunch,
the Ballad of Cable Hogue, and this one. He also made "Straw Dogs",
which you should see if you have not.

Thanks for your good work, Sam. We are cinematically richer for it.

Mike

Follow Ups:

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid - Sumflow 07:30:23 08/25/12 (0)
It sounds like you saw the directors cut this time instead of that chopped up version the studios sent to the theaters. Jane Fonda's old man told them to find all the parts and put it back together again. It was missing only two scenes. One with Garrets wife just after the haircut.

The complete final cut did not come until 2005, which is available on DVD along with the directors cut.
~~~
Hide it~ nothing looks better..
- Special Edition (Open in New Window)
RE: Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid - Gee LP 16:58:10 08/12/09 (0)
The TCM version IS different from the version included in the Peckinpah box set a couple of years ago. That version was (controversially) re-edited and tightened up by Paul Seydor. My preference would be the TCM version, with the original frame intro/outro and the scene between Garrett and his wife included (the Channel Z version, which I think was derived from the version Peckinpah routinely sent out to film festivals as his personal print).

BTW, if you haven't seen it, check out Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott in Peckinpah's second film, the 1962 "Ride the HIgh Country." It is also known as "Guns in the Afternoon" in Europe and maybe Japan. Wonderful movie, with an amazing final scene. After watching it, you may decide Peckinpah directed at least four great Westerns!
RE: Bob Dylan was terribly superfluous..He disturb greatly the film. - patrickU 08:02:01 08/07/09 (0)
But his music was first first rate.
Yeah; I stopped channel surfing when real Bob Dylan look-alike... - mpathus 22:33:45 08/06/09 (0)
...Bob Dylan was in a scene with Kris Kristofferson. Couldn't help but think of Streisand singing "Memories"...distracting really. Upstaging and slooowww.

Must have been a blast in the day though.
I'd say "Ride the High Country" is as good as any Western he made. I'd - tinear 14:38:52 08/05/09 (3)
put "The Getaway," with McQueen and McGraw, up with his very best. It's not technically a Western but it really is, only placed in modern times.
"Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia," may be his least appreciated good film.
Agreement on "Straw Dogs." Susan George: what an animal! Dustin: what a wimp!
- RE: I'd say "Ride the High Country" is as good as any Western he made. I'd - Dr Phibes 06:54:42 08/06/09 (1)
  Funny, I've tried to embrace Peckinpah I but always seem mystified or confused by some aspect of the story at hand.
  
  For example .. In "Bring Me the Head..." I felt confused/appalled? by the direction of the Kristofferson/Ilita rape scene.
  
  Did she enjoy it?
  
  Or...
  
  Was it out of duty to save her man's life?
  
  I'm still not sure and I've seen the film twice. Forgive me if I'm missing an obvious point.
  
  Another aspect of that film I question was Peckinpah's apparent love for the Ilita's naked breasts. I admit they were fun to look at, but I felt a Howard Hughes obsession going on, more then a credible justification to serve the film.
  
  All that said, Warren Oates is always worth the price of admission and in my humble opinion - completely underrated.
  
  Two Lane Blacktop and Cockfighter are a must see.
  
  All the best -Phibes
  - RE: I'd say "Ride the High Country" is as good as any Western he made. I'd - Sumflow 07:30:11 08/25/12 (0)
    > Warren Oates is always worth the price of admission.. Two Lane Blacktop
    
    Lets not forget Oates in Stony Burke, hired hand.
    ~~~
    Hide it~ nothing looks better..
- "The Deadly Companions" is also vintage Peckinpah - grinagog 06:05:31 08/06/09 (0)
  + a very worthy film + "Major Dundee", another Western , tho' Sam personally disowned it, is better than average
  There are at least 2 versions of Pat Garrett + Billy the Kid; I have 2 different Japanese laser discs that have different running times but can't tell what's missing from the shorter version...
  Love "Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" it's the darkest bit of cinema ever + Warren Oates anti-hero so over-the-top I'm simply amazed the film slipped under the radar ( or that it was ever released for that matter )
  
  G.

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