Review of Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) by Kevin P — 19 Jul 2007

Peckinpah was always hard pressed to prove himself the dramatist without need for the action storyline. This film, done with numerous re-edits after his death, finally proves he was able to do it. The film is about his favorite subject, the Wild West.

It deals with a friendship on the skids as Pat Garret hunts down Billy the Kid and his gang but fondly remembers that some of the best times of his life came with them. As sherriff, he is challenged to kill without remorse from all sides.

The film features a cast of characters who in their own ways are finding that the old days are no more. Peckinpah and every other filmmaker who has dealt with the West has dealt with this theme, but Pat Garret and Billy the Kid feels like an honest memorial.

Made in 1973, it was made in the final days of the Western's popularity. The only regret is that Peckinpah didn't make this film better. Too many moments go on for too long and the story languishes with unnessary scenes, but the film is a flawed masterwork for a director who was always working to make a film like this.

Too bad its realization for the public came too many years late.