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.
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.
Written by Ed Sutton <esutton@mindspring.com>
Kris Kristofferson and Sam Peckinpah had several heated arguments during the making of the film, and others on the set often thought it would end up in a fight. Peckinpah, always very confrontational, wanted to fight Kristofferson but said that he feared Kristoffersonm, a former Army Airborne Ranger, would "kill him". Kristofferson answered, "Yeah, Sam, I think you're right". In spite of this, Peckinpah referred to Kristofferson as a "fucking great guy" and said that working with him was "one of the greatest experiences of my life".
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Goofs
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers):
Sheriff Pat Garrett stands up and props his back against a tree to aim his rifle at the old man on the river raft (the man is also aiming at Garrett). By placing himself completely out in the open like this, Garrett makes himself a perfect target for the other rifleman, who luckily does not fire. A real sheriff would have positioned himself BEHIND the tree for maximum protection and concealment.
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Quotes
Ollinger:
On your knees. Billy:
Kiss my ass!
[Ollinger knocks Billy off his chair and puts a shotgun to his head]
Ollinger:
REPENT, you son of a bitch! Billy:
Sweet Jesus, I repent! See more »