Directed by Sam Peckinpah
Written by Walon Green, Sam Peckinpah, and Roy N. Sickner
1969/US
First viewing/Amazon Instant
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] Pike Bishop: We’re not gonna get rid of anybody! We’re gonna stick together, just like it used to be! When you side with a man, you stay with him! And if you can’t do that, you’re like some animal, you’re finished! *We’re* finished! All of us![/box]
This bloody, violent Western holds out little hope for humanity. Maybe not the thing for the disgusted during Lockdown.
The year is 1913. The place is somewhere near the Mexican border. Pike (William Holden) leads a gang of railroad and bank bandits. The most prominent members of the gang are played by Ben Johnson, Warren Oates, Ernest Borgnine and an unrecognizable Edmund O’Brien who steals every scene he is in. After a botched attempt to “do one last” job on a train, they take off for Mexico with Deke Thornton (Robert Ryan) and his gang of bounty hunters hot on their trail. Their plan is to hijack a train carrying guns and ammunition and sell the loot to a corrupt revolutionary general’s army.
Pike and his men have nothing but trouble in Mexico. Thornton is still after them and the Mexicans they deal with are drunken, whoring, sadists who can’t be trusted.
This movie is famous for its violence. That it definitely has in spades. I cannot stand the way Peckinpah shoots massacres in slow-motion. I wasn’t a fan of the ethic stereotyping either.
Those niggles aside, it is clear why it was an “important” film for its time. The action is beautifully choreographed. The film also benefits from its superb cast. Holden and Ryan showed they were still at the top of their game. Once is enough for me but I’m glad it is on the List and that I have finally seen it.
The film is usually classified as in the “death of the Old West” category. In many prior films this is symbolized by encroaching “civilization”- families, farms, churches etc. In this one, the death of Holden and his gang is caused by corruption and debauchery. The New West looks a lot worse than the Old West in this version. I should have waited until after Lockdown.
The Wild Bunch was nominated for Academy Awards in the categories of Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced and Best Music, Original Score
I warned you about this film. Not a crowd pleaser and definitely not for everyone. I certainly understand and respect your opinion. Most of my friends can’t stand this film and groan every time I mention it, especially my sister. Still, glad you saw it. Now go watch The Band Wagon, maybe I will also.
The Band Wagon. YES, fantastic idea! Where do you live? Hope you and yours have been well.
I live in San Diego. A good lockdown film suggestion: Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon, a slow but extremely beautiful film, especially if you have the Criterion blu-ray.
Barry Lyndon is one I haven’t seen. Am looking forward to it. I’m not too far away from you in Indio. Are your beaches opening? Read this somewhere and it seems awfully soon.
Our beaches are not open yet but starting May 1 we must wear face covering.
When you do get around to watching Barry Lyndon, get a lot of sleep before hand and a good snack. The film moves at a smalls pace and that’s the way Kubrick wanted it. The film has a unique visual-literary effect. Watch it on the biggest screen possible and in high-definition. Interesting to see what you think.
We’ve been on mandatory masks for a few weeks. I look forward to seeing Barry Lyndon. The stills from it look so beautiful.
THE WILD BUNCH, as I remember it, is a powerful film.
Agreed, not the best choice for Operation Lockdown.
How about some Frank Capra?
Splendid idea. I’m due for a re-watch of It Happened One Night.
I am afraid you would have to wait a long time. End of lock down is not in sight.
I did not much enjoy this movie either. Technically it is fine enough but the underlying tone and sentiment is just disgusting. There are no good guys, only bad and worse. That is just very depressing when you think about it.
Not here any way. I’m very lucky to live in California. We got it early but our Governor was the first to lock it down and we are doing comparatively well. I thought you were re-opening in Denmark, though. No??? I have never liked Peckinpah. He has a very dim view of humanity as a whole.
Reopening happens in stages. Only schools until 5th grad and hairdressers has reopened. Most things are still locked down, but at least we can get around. True opening will only happen when some medicine comes around and no, you cannot and should not inject bleach…
Thanks for the tip on the bleach! How about the idea of shining ultra-violet lights on the inside? We are still on tight lockdown here in California, where we thankfully pay as little attention as possible to what Trump says.
Not to depress you, but right now Warner Bros. is doing a remake of The Wild Bunch to be directed by, wouldn’t you know it, Mel Gibson! It will be horrible.
Depressing is right! I dislike Gibson more than I dislike Peckinpah. It will be an epically bloody mess.
I live in San Diego with my beautiful 75″ 4K TV watching TCM. Surviving the lockdown comfortably and preparing myself for viewing “Barry Lyndon” this weekend. You stay safe and healthy and thank you for this great site.
Bleach, maybe Trump should . . . I better not say it. Trump proves suntan lamps prevents Covid-19.