Bob Dylan, Charles Martin Smith, Chill Wills

Lawman Pat Garrett pursues his erstwhile friend, Billy the Kid, whose life has diverged from the former's after years of camaraderie.

Flixster Users

82% liked it

6,260 ratings

Critics

81% liked it

16 critics

R, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Sam Peckinpah

Release Date: May 23, 1973

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DVD Release Date: January 10, 2006

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Flixster Reviews (405)


  • February 7, 2009
    A really fascinating portrayal of friendship in the old west. Or should that be new west as it has many contemporary (for the 70's) influences. It takes the story of the two titans of their time and creates a relatable story of betrayal. Garrett may be the "good guy" in that he c...( read more)hases down criminals, but he does is for a bad man. Thus, his actions are tainted with the same brush that tars those he wishes to apprehend. The performances are so natural that the dialogue plays out like friendly chats. Dylan adds a curious performance and a wonderful set of songs and music. Finally Peckinpah's often brutal violence and action doesn't quite reach the levels of The Wild Bunch, but i never detracts from a very interesting and excellently made film.
  • May 19, 2008
    If you want to see one of the greatest pieces of editing in film history watch the opening of this film in it's Turner preview cut. Breathtaking.
  • April 9, 2007
    This tale of two friends whose lives on opposing sides of the law collide is Peckinpah's grim eulogy for the death of the west, and an intelligent and thoughtful allegorical character study. Punctuated by extreme violence in his inimitable style, it's a quality western that will ...( read more)appeal to his fans greatly.
  • September 3, 2007
    Bob Dylan sticks out in good Western from a genre great.
  • December 25, 2008
    Great movie. Like The Wild Bunch director Sam Peckinpah gives you the difficult choice of which character's side to take. The performances from Coburn and Kristofferson are excellent, and they're complemented by Bob Dylan's wonderful soundtrack. Although it's filled with powerful...( read more) scenes, I thought some of the editing was shocking. But it's still a great western, and a most see for fans of the genre.
  • October 11, 2009
    A good ending on a great western-era. Bob Dylan wasnt so good as an actor, as I expectet, but I realate to his character. as a shy wanna-be outlaw.
  • September 3, 2009
    This was my first film on VHS.
  • March 15, 2009
    OWNS IT WAS GREAT , MUSIC WAS GOOD TOO
  • February 26, 2009
    A poor story - they should have used the factual story and it would have been better.
  • December 22, 2008
    Slow, meandering, undeniably flawed? and yet, at its heart, I think there?s something truly profound going on at the center of his film. It?s a movie with no definitive cut, the theatrical cut was a butchery, the 1988 ?director?s cut? had more scenes but was sort of a mess, and ...( read more)the new special edition does not have Peckinpah?s approval. Either way, there are scenes of true power in this film, a showdown in which both parties cheat, an altercation between Pat Garret and a man on a raft, and most famously a scene where Slim Pickens dies to the tune of Bob Dylan?s Knockin? on Heaven?s Door. I interpret the film as yet another elaborate allegory, this time about the end of the 60s counterculture.

Critic Reviews


October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It's a movie that exists almost entirely on one note -- a low, melancholy one -- and achieves what I thought would have been impossible for him Peckinpah: he's boring. full review

View more Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • rayman0071
    February 17, 2007
    Brilliant performances from James Coburn(as Pat Garrett)and Kris Kristofferson(as Billy The Kid)as director Sam Peckinpah(The Wild Bunch)brings us a grand spectre of the western saga never before seen and it also cranks up the violence in this one as well,especially with the violent content that shocked audiences in 1973. *****Five Stars

    The theme song "Knocking On Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan is a classic!
  • itwasashark
    June 10, 2006
    I dig the Bob Dylan soundtrack to this movie.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid Trivia


  • Movie that had Bob Dylan along with Kris Kristopherson that Dylan wrote and did the hit song Knocking on Heaven's Door and was directed by Sam Peckinpah?  Answer »
  • In which western film did Bob Dylan costar as well as write the musical score?  Answer »
  • Who had the role of Alias in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid?  Answer »
  • Bob Dylan starred in and wrote the music for Sam Peckinpah's western Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid?  Answer »

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