Review of The Wild Bunch (1969) by Edwin P — 22 Jul 2010

Set in 1913, "The Wild Bunch" tells the story of six outlaws and the Mexican revolutionary war. It is also said to be director Sam Peckinpahâ??s finest western film.

There are no cute or lovable cowboys here like Paul Newman and Robert Redford in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Instead, what we get are aging and unlikable characters played by William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Warren Oates and Robert Ryan. From the opening bank robbery scene to its incredible finale, it is a gritty portrayal of the old west.

The film is a landmark for its depiction of violence onscreen but avoids being glorifying. The shootouts in the movie are very intense, graphic and too shocking for its time that it was almost released with an X rating. This is not a happy movie especially in the manner it portrays women. But it is this sense of realism why the film works. Because underneath the violence are rich characterizations set amidst the themes of loyalty, honor and betrayal.

Released in 1969, it will cap a decade of films populated by spaghetti westerns while it remains one of the most highly influential action films of our time.