Despite the running time being listed as 234 minutes, it's really much closer to 55. That's because of two problems--Billy was really only a relatively minor crook and there isn't a lot known about him. Details are sketchy and only one photo is known to exist of the guy.
William Henry McCarty, Jr. (not William Bonney) is the actual name of this criminal. The show THINKS that he was born back East but acknowledges that this isn't certain. In fact, up until he became a wanted man at the ripe old age of 15, little is known about him. He apparently came to fame during the so-called 'Lincoln County War'--a crazy feud where law and order disintegrated and folks just started picking sides and blasting each other. Much of the problem was caused by the law actually being VERY corrupt and after a while, folks got sick of this (including Billy). His biggest distinctions during this period was not dying, killing a corrupt sheriff and getting caught. But this is only the beginning--he had a habit of escaping and went on to become a seriously wanted man. I guess killing a sheriff got some notice--even if the guy had it coming! Unlike the exploits of Jesse James and Butch Cassidy, there appears to be SOME kernel of truth to the legend of Billy the Kid. Whereas these other outlaws were just evil crooks who stole from the rich to give to themselves, "The American Experience" seems to feel that he was, in an odd way, a bit of a hero because the law was so corrupt--and he stood up for what he thought was right. Not exactly a hero--but more complex than just some thief and murderer. Still, the newspapers of the day deliberately created the myth of Billy the Kid--making up most of what they claim he'd done. Overall, an interesting episode as it dispels some myths and gives an interesting portrait of what this guy really was like. Well made and about as complete as possible.