Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973)

An aging Pat Garrett is hired as a lawman on behalf of a group of wealthy New Mexico cattle barons--his sole purpose being to bring down his old friend Billy the Kid.

Director:

Sam Peckinpah

Writer:

Rudy Wurlitzer

Stars:

James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Jaeckel

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Coburn	...	Pat Garrett
Kris Kristofferson	...	Billy The Kid
Richard Jaeckel	...	Sheriff Kip McKinney
Katy Jurado	...	Mrs. Baker
Chill Wills	...	Lemuel
Barry Sullivan	...	Chisum
Jason Robards	...	Governor Wallace
Bob Dylan	...	Alias
R.G. Armstrong	...	Ollinger
Luke Askew	...	Eno
John Beck	...	Poe
Richard Bright	...	Holly
Matt Clark	...	J.W. Bell
Rita Coolidge	...	Maria
Jack Dodson	...	Howland

Storyline

It's 1881 in New Mexico, and the times they are a'changing. Pat Garrett, erstwhile travelling companion of the outlaw Billy the Kid has become a sheriff, tasked by cattle interests with ridding the territory of Billy. After Billy escapes, Pat assembles a posse and chases him through the territory, culminating in a final confrontation at Fort Sumner, but is unaware of the full scope of the cattle interests' plans for the New West.

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Plot Keywords:

mexico | new mexico | friend | sheriff | old friend | 

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Taglines:

Best of enemies. Deadliest of friends.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for western violence and sexuality/nudity

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 August 1973 (Hong Kong)

Also Known As:

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

Filming Locations:

Durango, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$4,638,783 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min 122 min (1988 restored) 115 min (2005 DVD Special Edition) 106 min (Cut theatrical)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Average Shot Length (ASL) = 4.5 seconds (2005 DVD Version). This is fast by most 1970s' film standards, but quite slow for Sam Peckinpah. For example, The Wild Bunch has an A.S.L. of three seconds, Junior Bonner 3.5 seconds, The Killer Elite four seconds.

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Goofs

The amount of whisky in the bottle at Lemuel's varies depending upon whether the shot is from behind Holly or from behind Garrett.

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Quotes

Mr. Horrell: Just got through putting up that new cottonwood door. Used the old one for my son John. He got into a shooting with Olin Carroll. He's buried out yonder there.
Billy: I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Horrell.
Mr. Horrell: John was a good hand. Couldn't shoot, though.

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Connections

Version of Billy the Kid (1941)

User Reviews

One of the Best Westerns

Especially the director's cut, this is one of the finest Westerns ever made. Yes, Bob Dylan didn't make the best soundtrack (with the exception with the beginning music and the river music), and the studio version lacks quality, this is Sam Peckinpah at his finest since "The Wild Bunch". Peckinaph is one of my all time favorite directors because most of his movies are great, and this one is no different. James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson in the title roles are excellent, especially the always great Coburn (R.I.P.). What is also great is most of the Peckinpah regulars and recognizable Western characters making a great support cast, including Chill Wills, L.Q. Jones, R.G. Armstrong, Matt Clark, Slim Pickens, Katy Jurado, Jack Elam, Harry Dean Stanton, Emilio Fernandez, Richard Jaeckel, Barry Sullivan, Dub Taylor, Elisha Cook Jr., and John Beck. Even Peckinaph has a great cameo. Bob Dylan isn't the best actor, but his character plays an important part. He represents the story teller that passes down the legend of this story to all generations. This is a film that all Peckinpah and Western fans can't miss. It's a shame Sam never lived to make another Western like this.