Review of Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973) by Keenan S — 01 Jun 2018

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid is a flawed but beautiful and gritty western. It's honestly a miracle this film got made at all, given all the production problems, such as the asshole president of MGM, James Aubrey, constantly meddling with the film.

Whether it be not giving a proper budget, allowing camera equipment to get fixed, or demanding numerous cuts, production was pure Hell for the director. In the end, the studio sheered off nearly twenty minutes of the film for the original theatrical release, resulting in terrible reviews and disappointing box office results.

It wouldn't be until 1988, four years after Peckinpah's death that the world would finally get to see a closer version to his vision. Still, this version doesn't get the treatment it deserved (The Special Edition version had very little care put into restoring it.

Instead the 115 minute cut put together by a different party took center stage on that release). That being said, even with its flaws where you can feel the stranglehold of James Aubrey upon them (Even in death, you're a dick), it remains a very compelling, heartfelt western.

The plot is about Pat Garrett who leaves his outlaw ways behind him to become a sheriff, who at the behest of cattle ranchers, has to hunt down and capture his old friend, Billy the Kid, dead or alive.

It becomes a game of cat and mouse between the two, while they still have their moments of old times between them. It's a film about the end of an era, the changing times, and how those in an old era can be destroyed by the new world.

It's also a film about personal honor and friendships in a weird way despite their disputes. Even though I have seen the longest available cut (122 minutes), I wish there was more (I would totally sit through a three or four hour version.

However, star, James Coburn, stated that Peckinpah had the proper cut of the film locked away. Where it went? Who knows?). I wanted to get an even deeper look into their friend/enemy relationship, as well as exploring the lives of the other characters we are introduced to.

Still, this is a very underrated western that is very compelling, well acted, and mostly well written, complete with an awesome score by Bob Dylan (This is also the origin of the song, "Knockin' On Heaven's Door").

If you enjoy a good western, a good drama, or are a fan of Sam Peckinpah's work, this is worth seeing.