The Wild Bunch Movie Review 1969

Acclaimed western about a group of aging outlaws on their final rampage, realizing time is passing them by. Highly influential in dialogue, editing style, and lyrical slow-motion photography of violence; Peckinpah's main claim to posterity. Holden and Ryan create especially memorable characters. Arguably the greatest western and one of the greatest American films of all times. Beware of shortened versions; after a pre-release showing to the East Coast critics, producer Feldman cut key scenes without Peckinpah's knowledge or consent.

Distribution

Warner Home Video, Inc., 5775 Linder Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91362, URL: http://whv.warnerbros.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 145 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Westerns, Growing Older, Big Battles, Flashback, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Walon Green, Sam Peckinpah

Cast

William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Warren Oates, Strother Martin, L.Q. Jones, Albert Dekker, Bo Hopkins, Edmond O'Brien, Ben Johnson, Jaime Sanchez, Emilio Fernandez, Dub Taylor

Cinematography

Lucien Ballard

Director

Sam Peckinpah

Music

Jerry Fielding

Awards

AFI 1998: Top 100, Natl. Film Reg. 1999;; Natl. Soc. Film Critics 1969: Cinematog.