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

Director:

Sam Peckinpah

Writers:

Walon Green (screenplay), Sam Peckinpah (screenplay) | 2 more credits »
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Popularity
3,382 ( 19)
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 6 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Holden ... Pike
Ernest Borgnine ... Dutch
Robert Ryan ... Thornton
Edmond O'Brien ... Sykes
Warren Oates ... Lyle Gorch
Jaime Sánchez ... Angel (as Jaime Sanchez)
Ben Johnson ... Tector Gorch
Emilio Fernández ... Mapache (as Emilio Fernandez)
Strother Martin ... Coffer
L.Q. Jones ... T.C
Albert Dekker ... Harrigan
Bo Hopkins ... Crazy Lee
Dub Taylor ... Wainscoat
Paul Harper Paul Harper ... Ross
Jorge Russek ... Zamorra
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Storyline

It's 1913, and the "traditional" American West is dying. Amongst the inhabitants of this dying era are a gang known as "the wild bunch." After a failed railroad office robbery, the gang heads to Mexico to do one last job. Seeing their times and lives drifting away in the 20th century, the gang takes the job and ends up in a brutally violent last stand against their enemies deemed to be corrupt, in a small Mexican town ruled by a ruthless general. Written by blazesnakes9

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Nine men who came too late and stayed too long... See more »


Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The song "Polly Wolly Doodle" was featured in "S.O.B. (1981)". William Holden starred in both movies. See more »

Goofs

After the hijacked train crashes into the railroad car holding the horses of the army unit assigned to guard the train, the sergeant in charge orders a corporal to ride to the garrison and report the train robbery. The corporal salutes with his left hand and responds, "Yes, Sir!" Soldiers salute with their right hand and sergeants are neither addressed as "Sir"--except in basic training--nor saluted. A raw recruit might make such mistakes in such a stressful situation, but not someone who has been in the army long enough to become a corporal. 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?
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Alternate Versions

In a documentary on The Wild Bunch, it was mentioned that Sam Peckinpah prepared a version of the movie to screen for studio executives. This version seems to have disappeared, but the documentary says it was 8 hours long. See more »

Connections

Featured in Edge Codes.com: The Art of Motion Picture Editing (2004) 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
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User Reviews

 
A great period western...
15 October 1998 | by dexter-3See all my reviews

Critics of Sam Peckinpah generally focus on the gore and violence in his films. "The Wild Bunch" will probably not assuage these critics, but the violence is not gratuitous. In fact, it is almost perfectly meshed in this story of a group of outlaws held together by some frail and some strong bonds who realize that their era - and probably their lives - are almost at an end. The story also deals with a man (Robert Ryan) who was wounded and forced out of the gang, and who must now capture and kill his friend (William Holden), with no option other than to succeed. This film is also about loyalty, choice and honor, and is carried by surprisingly strong acting and writing. Yes the violence is on a large scale (which seems to be commonplace for films portraying the Mexican Revolution), but it is completely in place with these characters and the era in which they live. This is not always a pleasant film to watch, but it is very rewarding, and may be the best film Peckinpah made.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish | German

Release Date:

19 June 1969 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

The Wild Bunch See more »

Filming Locations:

Bavispe, Sonora, Mexico See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$6,244,087 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$638,641

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$638,641
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)| DTS (1995 re-release)| Dolby Digital (1995 re-release)| Mono (35 mm prints)| SDDS (1995 re-release)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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