Young Guns (1988)

A group of young gunmen, led by Billy the Kid, become deputies to avenge the murder of the rancher who became their benefactor. But when Billy takes their authority too far, they become the hunted.

Director:

Christopher Cain

Writer:

John Fusco

Stars:

Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emilio Estevez	...	William H. Bonney
Kiefer Sutherland	...	Doc Scurlock
Lou Diamond Phillips	...	Chavez y Chavez
Charlie Sheen	...	Dick Brewer
Dermot Mulroney	...	Dirty Steve Stephens
Casey Siemaszko	...	Charley Bowdre
Terence Stamp	...	John Tunstall
Jack Palance	...	L. G. Murphy
Terry O'Quinn	...	Alex McSween
Sharon Thomas Cain	...	Susan McSween (as Sharon Thomas)
Geoffrey Blake	...	J. McCloskey
Alice Carter	...	Yen Sun
Brian Keith	...	Buckshot Roberts
Thomas Callaway	...	Texas Joe Grant (as Tom Callaway)
Patrick Wayne	...	Pat Garrett

Storyline

1878 in New Mexico: John Tunstall picks up young gun men from the road to have them work on his ranch, but also to teach them reading and to civilize them. However he's a thorn in the side of the rich rancher Murphy, as he's a competitor in selling cattle. One day he's shot by Murphy's men. Judge Wilson can't do anything, since Sheriff Brady is one of Murphy's men. But attorney Alex persuades him to constitute Tunstall's young friends to Deputies and give them warrants of arrest for the murderers. Instead of arresting them, William Bonney just shoots them down. Soon the 5 guys become famous and William gets the name "Billie the Kid" - but they're also chased by dozens of Murphy's men and the army. The people however honor him as fighter for justice.

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Plot Keywords:

peyote | interracial romance | campfire | antihero | villain | 

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Taglines:

Six reasons why the west was wild.

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Genres:

Action | Western

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 August 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jovenes Pistoleros

Filming Locations:

Old Tucson - 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,011,393, 14 August 1988

Gross USA:

$45,661,556

Company Credits

Production Co:

Morgan Creek Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "bathtub" had to be dug by hand in the middle of New Mexico. Because it was winter, they had to pour buckets of hot water into it between takes.

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Goofs

A character remarks that none of the Regulators are over 21. Even excluding the Regulators omitted from the film, Billy the Kid was the only one under 21. Chavez was 26 during the events of the film, Charlie was 30, Doc was 29, and Richard Brewer was 28.

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Quotes

Murphy: WELL. The belted earl has spoken. All I see are hired thieves.
John Tunstill: These boys are promising young men acquiring an education.
Murphy: Well, I've had you pegged as the type that likes... educatin' young men.

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Memorable Hiding Places in Movies (2015)

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Soundtracks

Auld Lang Syne
(uncredited)
Written by Robert Burns
[Sung at New Year's Eve dance]

User Reviews

Revisionist and contemporary study about William Bonney, alias Billy the Kid

This is a revisionist look about the known story of the West's greatest bandit. Contemporary-style Western with nice performances and fine direction by Christopher Cain who creates some good action scenes. The Kid is well played ,though sometimes overacting , by Emilio Estevez, he plays as a likable, sympathetic,attractive young and favourite with girls. Colorful and great cinematography by Dean Cundey. Modern and unfitting musical score by Anthony Marinelli. The motion picture will like to Western fans. Followed by a sequel titled 'Young Guns II'(Geoff Murphy,1990) with similar players and concerning about Billy and his band heading toward the Old Mexico and pursued by a posse.

The picture is based partially on actual events. These deeds are the following: Billy(Emilio Estevez) became a cowboy in Lincoln County(New Mexico)for cattleman Tunstall(Terence Stamp) along with a young group(Kiefer Sutherland,Charlie Sheen,Lou Diamond Phillips,Dermot Mulroney,Casey Siemaszko). Tunstall was supported by lawyer McSween(Terry O'Quinn). But Tunstall was murdered by rival cattleman Murphy(Jack Palance) and started the Lincoln County War. Billy seeks revenge for his death and he converted an outlaw and nasty gunfighter with a price on his head. Bonney and his gang pull off a hot pursuit against the enemies. Billy, his band and McSween were besieged but he went out firing his gun and made his escape. The Kid was caught and convicted of killing and sentenced to be hanged ; though shackled foot and hand , he managed to getaway from prison by shooting dead the deputies guarding him. Pat Garret(Patrick Wayne), a former friend, was elected sheriff and set off in pursuit to capture him and on 1881 tracked at Fort Sumner and there shot him dead by surprise. Legend says that Billy murdered 21 men in his 21 years of life but is really thought to be much less.