Review of The Wild Bunch (1969) by Ben M — 21 Jun 2011

It seems as if my Red Dead Redemption-inspired western fever is un-quenchable. Thankfully, The Wild Bunch not only goes as far as almost getting me rid of my thirst for gunslingers and stetsons but it has perhaps given me one of the best western movies I have ever seen. With an immense amount of accented gun porn and memorable performances from a talented cast, plus the fantastic direction and beautiful cinematography, it just seems to get everything perfect.

Unlike a lot of westerns that came out during this time, The Wild Bunch follows down its own path. It seems as if it is a parody of another film about a gang of sorts, The Magnificent Seven. Whereas the Seven are portrayed as a heroic, almost godly sort of mavericks, The Wild Bunch are less than sympathetically portrayed when it comes to their exploits. The Bunch are shown right off the start as a mixed band of aging outlaws right around the end of the prime age of the west. With his best years behind him, Pike Bishop and his gang of thieves soon travel south of the border to cut a deal with a crooked Mexican general. When the general soon turns the tables on them, the bunch decides to settle the score.

The film derives its greatness from its excessive use of violence. Each kill is accented and made much more personal with a quick slow-motion stop to show the victim of the west's brutality fall to their downfall. The film is also much more bloody than similar westerns, even a bit too bloody at some points, but it just makes each kill stick itself into your mind for some time. The performances are all great, from the always brillant Wiliam Holden to the proficient Ernest Borgnine among others, a great cast on all sides. Sam Peckinpah's brutal and unsympathetic direction portrays the west as a beautiful yet savage and corrupt land just around the corner from civilization.

Although not quite as brutal and anti-heroic as Unforgiven, The Wild Bunch still gives a pull-no-punches look at the chaotic west, but still letting the "heroes" of the bunch end with a good deed under their belts and a ride into the sunset.