Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Chris W

  
  Disclaimer: I saw the 1988 Turner Preview version of this film, which is 122 minutes long, and, unlike the compromised theatrical version, is supposedly the closest thing to Peckinpah's original intention for this film, which was a very troubled production. That being said,… More
  Disclaimer: I saw the 1988 Turner Preview version of this film, which is 122 minutes long, and, unlike the compromised theatrical version, is supposedly the closest thing to Peckinpah's original intention for this film, which was a very troubled production. That being said, I'm still very mixed on this film. I wanna say that I really enjoyed it, and that I do kinda recommend it, but at the same time, it's still a flawed film, even if this version is apparently better than the original. So, I have some hesitation fully recommending it, but still think that you might wanna at least try to give it a watch, since there are some good elements. The stroy here is a rendition of the classic story about legendary outlaw, and his relationship to his former friends turned enemy lawman Pat Garrett. It was Peckinpah's final western, and, like many westerns made in the 70s, it's very reflective of the time ot was made, and reeks of very melancholy and elegiac overtones. This is a lyrical and somewhat poetic film, and I like that there is a blend of action and character development, but the way it's done, it's like, damn, who knew that Peckinpah could actually be kinda boring? Boring shouldn't really be associated with Bloody Sam unless you also throw in the word "not". Yet, there it is. This film is pretty slow, and though it is only 122 minutes, it feels a lot longer. I find it odd that this version is apparently what Sam was really going for, but hey, I never knew him personally, so maybe I shouldn't judge him too harshly. I love the cinematography though, because it is excellent, and the washed out grainy look is very fitting, The film has a very notable and talented cast, but their performances, though not bad, are kinda underwhelming, and do leave something to be desired. Bob Dylan's score, likewise, though not terrible, is also not as epic as it could have been. When Andrew Dominik made his Jesse James film, which is very similar to this, I loved it. Maybe it's because I wasn't used to his work, and had nothing to compare it to, like I do with this one. Perhaps I shouldn't be doing that, but hey, I don't know what to say. There are some really great moments, but I think the film could have just told this eic tale in a less meandering and heady fashion.

• Graham J

  
  A good film though it has many flaws. When it's good, it's great.

• Randy T

  
  Patented Peckinpah western with a dream cast that includes James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Chill Wills, Jason Robards, Rita Coolidge, Jack Elam, Slim Pickens and Bruce Dern.

• Pierluigi P

  
  A tale of honor, loneliness and betrayed friendship in Peckinpah's fashion. Bob Dylan's masterful and heart felt songs amplify the whole spectrum of this solemn and poetic farewell to a hero among criminals.

• Conner R

  
  Such a beautiful movie, Sam Peckinpah captured the freedom and youth that Billy the Kid Represents. Nothing before or since has managed to properly tell the story of the two characters. James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson are perfect and give performances that are so unique and… More
  Such a beautiful movie, Sam Peckinpah captured the freedom and youth that Billy the Kid Represents. Nothing before or since has managed to properly tell the story of the two characters. James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson are perfect and give performances that are so unique and powerful, the movie is so effective in many ways due to their chemistry and effectiveness onscreen. The music by Bob Dylan also plays a huge part in the movie, the use of Knockin' On Heaven's Door in the shootout is just utter brilliance.

• Luke B

  
  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… More
  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 chases 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.

• Tim S

  
  One of my favorite westerns of all time. This is Sam Peckinpah's masterpiece. The entire cast is great, especially Coburn and Kristoferson. The music fits and it's beautifully shot. The scene between Slim Pickens and his wife while Knockin on Heaven's Door plays in the… More
  One of my favorite westerns of all time. This is Sam Peckinpah's masterpiece. The entire cast is great, especially Coburn and Kristoferson. The music fits and it's beautifully shot. The scene between Slim Pickens and his wife while Knockin on Heaven's Door plays in the background is one of the best death scenes I have ever seen.

• Ken S

  
  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.

• Adam M

  
  believes in a bleak, violent, unfair life where loyalty falls cheap and the coldest bastard survives; hypnotic but makes you alert and sympathetic to whatever is not contemptible about the characters

• xGary X

  
  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… More
  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 appeal to his fans greatly.

• Jeffrey M

  
  An absolutely phenomenal western. Blows Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch out of the water. How could you not love a movie whose soundtrack is solely provided by Bob Dylan, who also stars in it? James Coburn is chilling, and Kris Kristofferson excels. The dark, lyrical atmosphere of the… More
  An absolutely phenomenal western. Blows Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch out of the water. How could you not love a movie whose soundtrack is solely provided by Bob Dylan, who also stars in it? James Coburn is chilling, and Kris Kristofferson excels. The dark, lyrical atmosphere of the film is absolutely absorbing. There have been numerous takes on the Pat Garrett vs. Billy the Kid story, and this is certainly the finest. Deserves to be in the conversation among the top westerns of all time. Note: This applies to the 88' Turner version aka the Director's Cut, which by all accounts is the best version

• William G

  
  Bob Dylan sticks out in good Western from a genre great.

• Jonny C

  
  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… More
  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 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.

• MJS M

  
  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 the… More
  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 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.

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