Review of Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) by Dustin G — 30 May 2010

Okay film. I saw the 2005 Special Edition cut, I don't know which cut is best. While the film is filled with some very Peckinpah movie making (not least of all the red paint blood splashing throughout), I just found it kind of dull for the most part. James Coburn and Kris Kristopherson were good, but Bob Dylan- who's idea was it to cast him in this? He's terrible. I think they must have wanted him for the soundtrack and his deal was he'd do the soundtrack if they'd put him in the movie or something because he's really bad. Thank God he didn't quit his day job.

Update:

Okay I just watched this movie again and loved it! My original review gave the film two stars and I seemed pretty disappointed with it. This time I watched the director's cut version (last time I watched the special edition version). I don't know why I liked this version so much better, but I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that Pekinpah is an amazing filmmaker with an amazing vision and that his version is definitely going to be the best version available.

Great performances, story, writing, action. It's still not a perfect movie, but it can stand alongside Pekinpah's other Westerns with pride.

Oh, and Bob Dylan's acting and music in the film is still terrible an still makes me wonder how they could ever let him have that part.