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The Wild Bunch (1969)

 -  Western  -  18 June 1969 (USA)
8.1
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Ratings: 8.1/10 from 47,442 users  
Reviews: 272 user | 120 critic

An aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the "traditional" American West is disappearing around them.

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Writers:

(screenplay), (screenplay), 2 more credits »
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Title: The Wild Bunch (1969)

The Wild Bunch (1969) on IMDb 8.1/10

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Top 250 #207 | Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Jaime Sánchez ...
Angel (as Jaime Sanchez)
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Gen. Mapache (as Emilio Fernandez)
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T.C
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...
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Paul Harper ...
Ross
Jorge Russek ...
Maj. Zamorra
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Storyline

In the Wild Bunch the movie opens with a group of aging outlaw's final score, a bank robbery. The event concludes with a violent and overtly bloody shootout that would generally mark the finale of a movie. This is correct in that it marks the finale of an era, for the characters and the world they live in. They simply can no longer keep up, the times are changing, technology advancing, and they're style of life is getting left behind in the dust that they spent so long galloping through. They abandon their careers for the simpler life of retirement. They enjoy this time, they live their fantasies. During this time the law is always on their tracks, bounty hunters. The further into their fantasy they get, the closer their demise seems to get. When one of their own is captured they are faced with the choice of escape or what is certainly a suicide mission to attempt and free their fallen behind comrade. For them it is not a choice. They all die in what can only be described as a ... Written by VilanTrub@gmail.com

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

outlaw | bounty | mexico | mexican | texas | See more »

Taglines:

Suddenly a new West has emerged. Suddenly it was sundown for nine men. Suddenly their day was over. Suddenly the sky was bathed in blood. See more »

Genres:

Western

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

| |

Release Date:

18 June 1969 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

La pandilla salvaje  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$6,244,087 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(70 mm prints)| (1995 re-release)| (1995 re-release)| (35 mm prints)| (1995 re-release)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

At least three names from this film have been used in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In addition to starring a vampire character named Angel, the series also had an episode (2.12 "Bad Eggs") that featured two vampire cowboys named Lyle and Tector Gorch. Also, Luke Perry's character's last name in the movie version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is Pike. See more »

Goofs

In the opening scene, all shots of the bounty hunters on the rooftop show heavy storm clouds in the background, but all shots from the Bunch's/townspeople's POV show a clear, sunny day (including over the roof of the hotel). See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
[indistinct voices]
Rev. Wainscoat: Do not drink wine or strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, least ye shall die. Look not though upon the wine when it is red, and when it bringeth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright at the last, it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder. Now folks, that's from the Good Book, but in this here town it's five cents a glass. Five cents a glass, now does anyone think that that is a price of a drink?
See more »


Soundtracks

"Shall We Gather at the River?"
(uncredited)
Written by Robert Lowry
Played by the Temperance Union Band in the shootout at Starbuck
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

Let's go.
10 December 1999 | by (Boston. MA) – See all my reviews

I got this movie on DVD at the suggestion of my brother. I admit to knowing nothing about it's director and a complete lack of familiarity with most of it's actors or the mythology behind it's production (I was born years after it was made). I can, however, safely say this: this is one of the greatest movies ever made. Every aspect of the film is flawless, from the acting to the cinematography to the script.

This is also the most truly macho of all macho movies. It's not cartoonish machismo, rather it's the kind of machismo you see in drywall hangers: no-nonsense comments like "We're after men" and "Let's go" predominate, the men don't swagger around and violence is approached (fairly) honestly. The reserved dialogue and physicality reminds me of "Seven Samaurai" (to which this film owes a great deal). To me, that is the highest praise that I can give a movie.

The photography is amazing: the desert looks sweltering and parched, the close-ups of actor's faces outdoes Sergio Leone and the action is probably the best ever filmed. Scorcese and Tarantino obviously owe a lot to Peckinpaw. The scene during the opening credits of "Reservoir Dogs" is a direct lift from this movie, just to cite one of countless examples.

The acting is on par with the direction. Robert Ryan steals the show and, c'mon, who doesn't love Ernest?

Some would poo-poo the films treatment of women, and I am not going to get involved in that debate. Just go see it because, like the best movies, it immerses you in a time and place. Smell the sage!


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