Watched this on TCM last night, this being the second time I've seen it.
I think the version I saw last night was different from the version
which was included in a 4 pack of Peckinpah westers I bought several
years ago.
I must say that I had not intended to watch it to the end, but found
myself unable to turn it off. This is a far better film than my
initial viewing lead me to believe. James Coburn's performance is
**string** and Kristopherson's is pretty dame good too. In addition,
there are great performances by several of Peckinpah's regulare,
particularly Chill Wills and Slim Pickens - the extended scene in the
bar with Coburn and Wills is, to my mind, a classic of western movie
making. The story deals very effectively I think with SP's usual
themes of men out of place and time, of selling out to "progress",
and the unwillingness of the main characters to adapt and change.
I now think that Sam P. has made 3 truly great westerns: The Wild Bunch,
the Ballad of Cable Hogue, and this one. He also made "Straw Dogs",
which you should see if you have not.
Thanks for your good work, Sam. We are cinematically richer for it.
Mike
Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone
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Topic - Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid - Mike K 09:49:50 08/05/09 (8)
- Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid - Sumflow 07:30:23 08/25/12 (0)
- RE: Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid - Gee LP 16:58:10 08/12/09 (0)
- RE: Bob Dylan was terribly superfluous..He disturb greatly the film. - patrickU 08:02:01 08/07/09 (0)
- Yeah; I stopped channel surfing when real Bob Dylan look-alike... - mpathus 22:33:45 08/06/09 (0)
- I'd say "Ride the High Country" is as good as any Western he made. I'd - tinear 14:38:52 08/05/09 (3)
- RE: I'd say "Ride the High Country" is as good as any Western he made. I'd - Dr Phibes 06:54:42 08/06/09 (1)
- RE: I'd say "Ride the High Country" is as good as any Western he made. I'd - Sumflow 07:30:11 08/25/12 (0)
- "The Deadly Companions" is also vintage Peckinpah - grinagog 06:05:31 08/06/09 (0)