Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973)

Pat Garrett is hired as a lawman on behalf of a group of wealthy New Mexico cattle barons 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:

manhunt | flogging | dying | female nudity | orgy | 

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Taglines:

Best of enemies. Deadliest of friends.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for western violence and sexuality/nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

James T. Aubrey began to send telegrams to the set complaining about the number of camera set-ups that Sam Peckinpah used, and the time spent to shoot specific scenes. According to producer Gordon Carroll, the movie's set was "a battleground".

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Goofs

Though the film takes place in 1881, many of the characters use Winchester Model 1892 rifles which were not available until 1892.

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Quotes

Pat Garrett: [to the prostitutes undressing him in his as the start to take off his longjohns] Pull hard. They've been on a long time.

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Alternate Versions

The 1973 UK cinema version featured the shorter 106 minute print and was cut by the BBFC for violence. Video releases featured the restored 116 minute print (known as the "Turner Preview Version") which contained the violence but lost 16 secs of BBFC cuts to a forwards horsefall and shots of cockfighting. DVD releases include both the Turner Preview print and the 2005 110 minute Special Edition, both of which suffer the cockfight/horsefall cuts.

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Connections

Version of The Outlaw (1943)

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Soundtracks

Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Written by Bob Dylan
Performed by Bob Dylan
Soundtrack CD track 7, by Bob Dylan

User Reviews

The death of the Old West

On the surface, a film about the doomed friendship between the two title characters, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid is really a film about the death of a way of American life. Death is omni-present in this film, and the compelling aspect of it is that so many of the characters are completely prepared to accept it and deal it out. The best and saddest moments in the film involve characters who know they are going to die and accept it. And the performances are all remarkable. Kristofferson's easygoing and charismatic portrayal of Billy is the best work of his career, as is Coburn's sad-eyed interpretation of Pat Garrett. A wonderful film, almost as good as Peckinpah's masterpiece The Wild Bunch.

Details

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 May 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

Filming Locations:

Durango, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$4,638,783 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,717

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

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

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1