Review of Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) by Daniel K — 12 Sep 2007
Sam Peckinpah's last true Western is a violent, depressing, bloated film that doesn't work despite some strong moments and an amazing lead performance by James Coburn. The claims of Peckinpah partisans that the film is a masterpiece like "The Wild Bunch" (or even a "lost masterpiece" like "Major Dundee") are highly ingenuous.
The film's episodic, unfocused nature and use of Western star cameos actually works against the film, preventing it from achieving the poignancy it so desperately needs. And let's not even get into Bob Dylan's atrocious score, which might be fine on its own but undermines the film.
Coburn is amazing, Kristofferson is as good as the material allows, the cameo cast is mixed (good: Richard Bright, Jack Elam, R.G. Armstrong; bad: Emilio Fernandez, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckal), and Bob Dylan's there with little to contribute to the film.
Some brilliant scenes, to be sure, but far short of its potential.
This review of Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) was written by Daniel K on 12 Sep 2007.
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid has generally received positive reviews.
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