Josh Olson on PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID

[kamuelalee]

A slow...very slow moving masterpiece. Loved Coburn and Kris in this one.

[monkeySkeptic]

Loved the soundtrack as a kid. Listened to it over and over again.

[justdynee]

Agreed. I like it better every time I see it too. It's America's Once Upon a Time in The West. I wondered what set those two movies apart. I think it is Leone got more out of his stars and of course both Movies have incredible music. The ambiguity within the characters was depicted so precisely here. Coburn was loyal and cared for Billy. He had a job to do and feigned loyalty to that job, but he was ultimately more loyal to himself. Which tore him apart. Richard Jaeckel in his small part incredibly portrayed similar deep wars with himself. Even Billy's gang oozed turmoil without a word of dialogue. Absolutely mesmerizing.

[jackgrattan]

Sam managed to shoehorn in every great character actor he hadn't used yet in his earlier movies. Jack Elam, Harry Dean Stanton, Elisha Cook, etc.,

[Wolfsky]

This film is an absolute masterpiece. From start to end, it's brilliant.

[Bleste]

I have to agree with John Olson here. The 1988 turner version is far superior than the 2005 release. For anyone who's interested check out that version and don't bother watching the 2005 version. In comparison between The wild bunch director's cut and the 1988 turner version of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid I have to say that Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid is Sam Peckinpah's best film.

[jameschamblee]

This was mainly a Pat Garrett told story. It's a good movie and I enjoyed it.

[thepirateboyeternally]

The 2005 Special Edition is nearly identical to the theatrical version, except for the beginning, the wife scene, and the extended Ruthie Lee/brothel scene... If only they'd just integrated those additions into the Turner preview version, we'd actually have a notable 50th Anniversary Edition...

[michaellazzeri]

I've seen the " Turner " version of the film, & it is magnificent. This is my all-time # 3 western, & just so fine it IS an acquired, taste. It's slow, & dark, & sad, and full of Peckinpah's lifelong lament for the loss of the old west, as he saw it. This theme runs through ALL of his western films. James Coburn, & a cast of western legends, make this one a must-see. 75 y/o

[whatinthefudge]

saw this print a few weeks ago love this movie and love billy hes a true hero for freedom

[jatinderdevgun]

Masterpiece.
Holds up with TWB, BMTHOAG, SD

[russellreading-xife]

Coburn shadowed all others .. no other actor could almost glide and float in motion like him .. plus his gravitas & cool.

[Drforbin]

At one point Josh makes the point about how Hollywood has changed.
(i.e. color of socks comment) I agree with him. My question is way do you all think it is the way it is now?

[juannunez]

This trailer reminded me of something. You know what you almost never see in Hollywood today? Stunt Horses. Like at 2:57. It feels to me like modern Westerns don't really have on-horse action sequences that require horses to fall or go at really high speeds. They use to be way more common back in the day. I'm sure that there is an animal rights reason for this. Although it is my understanding that horses can be taught the tumble safely.

[tectorgorch]

I've got to find this cut to view. Saw PG&BtK on its original release and did not "get " it at all. I am an original member of the original Peckinpah Cult -- dating from the Brian Keith/John Dehner era.

[Wolfsky]

Top 5 Westerns : 5. " Duel At Diablo" " Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid " " The Outlaw Josey Wales" " For A Few Dollars More " 1, All-time Best : Sam Peckinpah's Masterpiece, " The Wild Bunch". 72 y/o

[maxthepupp]

Love ya Josh. But Kristofferson as a polished star? Just not buying it although he was great in this. A reason for that is Sam has a way of making all his male actors better through simple shots and framing. It's true!
Heck, I bet Sam thought about making the Great American Western with no dialog!😁

[erikdolnack]

I just watched this film for the first time last night. The narrative structure and editing are a total mess. Unless one knows these historical characters, many viewers would be completely lost. The plot is difficult to follow and characters come and go in the movie that seem to have importance to Pat and Billy, but we're often not told why or how. Scrawny little Bob Dylan as an outlaw gun-man was a bit of a stretch. This is really Pat Garrett's story, but the movie spends too much time on Billy, in my opinion. We get that Pat Garrett sold out, but the movie doesn't show us why he sold out. The Chisum character barely is shown and is often mentioned. Comparing this film to other Peckinpah films like Wild Bunch or Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, this film is sloppy and feels unfinished, like we're watching a rough cut of a film that was abandoned midway through. The repetitive overuse of Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" gets annoying and sometimes doesn't fit some scenes. You can tell the music was not directly scored for the film.

[samsungtap]

How could a ageing pop srar play Billy the "KID" what a shame. Movie was saved ny James Coburn from a complete disarster.