Bad Company (1972)

A god-fearing Ohio boy dodging the Civil War draft arrives in Jefferson City where he joins up with a hardscrabble group of like runaways heading west.

Director:

Robert Benton

Writers:

David Newman, Robert Benton

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Barry Brown, Jim Davis

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Bridges	...	Jake Rumsey
Barry Brown	...	Drew Dixon
Jim Davis	...	Marshal
David Huddleston	...	Big Joe
John Savage	...	Loney
Jerry Houser	...	Arthur Simms
Damon Douglas	...	Jim Bob Logan (as Damon Cofer)
Joshua Hill Lewis	...	Boog Bookin
Geoffrey Lewis	...	Hobbs
Raymond Guth	...	Jackson
Ed Lauter	...	Orin (as Edward Lauter)
John Quade	...	Nolan
Jean Allison	...	Mrs. Dixon
Ned Wertimer	...	Mr. Dixon
Charles Tyner	...	Egg Farmer

Storyline

A group of naive boys find that life as desperadoes in the west is more serious that they understood when they embark on abortive careers in bushwhacking. Violence, betrayal, sombre colours and a Beckettsian whimsy mark this ironic western.

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Plot Keywords:

betrayal | runaway | farmer | outlaw band | marshal | 

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Banda

Filming Locations:

Wichita, Kansas, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jaffilms, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Jeff Bridges the gunfight in the forest had to be completely re shot after the film was ruined in the lab.

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Goofs

Although cartridge bullets were available in 1863, they were rare. In this movie all firearms use cartridges.

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Quotes

Drew Dixon: [Narrating] I shot and killed a skunk today. Taste didn't much enter into it.

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Connections

Referenced in Murphy Brown: Bad Company (1995)

User Reviews

A very fine western

People who put down westerns have probably never seen Barbarosa, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, One-eyed Jacks, or this fine film. Released in 1972, Bad Company reflects some of the values of its day (thus proving the value of the western genre). Our heroes begin by dodging the draft in the Civil War, then proceed across the plains in a manner true to history if not to romance. But the basic theme is that of parentless youths set adrift to discover their own values. Superb acting throughout -- veteran Jim Davis, for instance -- and excellent production on a small budget. My favorite quote: an outlaw about to be hanged demonstrates some fancy gun-work with an unloaded revolver. He wows the audience, hands the gun back to Jim Davis, and mutters,"Hell, I'm the oldest whore on the block."