Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid is now available in the Criterion Collection.
Sam Peckinpah is extremely relevant to my evolution as a cinephile. Straw Dogs was the first Criterion Release I ever owned, given to me as a birthday gift many years ago by a film-loving friend who introduced me to many important films I might not have seen otherwise. I was captivated by the film’s brutality and depth. These are themes that define most Peckinpah films and part of what makes him such a controversial, yet important, filmmaker. Surprisingly, this was my first viewing of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Unsurprisingly, it delivered exactly what I wanted from a gritty 70’s western directed by one of the strongest auteurs of his time.
Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid plot
When Pat Garrett (James Coburn) takes on the role of Sheriff, he’s tasked with bringing in the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid (Kris Kristofferson). It’s a task made all the more muddied by the pairs shared past. Once good friends, their now paired on opposite sides of the law and forced into a deadly rivalry that will push them both to their limits.
The review
The first western that comes to mind when thinking of Sam Peckinpah’s filmography would most likely be The Wild Bunch for most people. While I do prefer that film to this one, Peckinpah’s understanding and mastery of the genre shines brightly here. The traditional pitting of lawman versus outlaw is a staple of the classic western, but Peckinpah blurs the lines of good and bad to craft a more compelling take on the archetype. Pat Garrett is not a typical “white hat” sheriff driven by morals or justice. His dark past and association with Billy the Kid paint a more in-depth and realistic picture of survival in the old west.
I can’t say enough about Kris Kristofferson’s portrayal as Billy the Kid. It’s a performance filled with the charisma and confidence of Steve McQueen, and is arguably (and in my opinion) the coolest anybody has ever been on screen. He’s youthful and playful while simultaneously being callous and deadly. Despite his skills with a gun, his most deadly weapon his his charm. He’ll smile, flirt and give a suggestive wink before firing a round into your back and killing you on the spot. It’s the type of antihero that audiences shouldn’t root for, but can’t help but be drawn to.
The film’s soundtrack lends itself perfectly to the meandering violence and sadness depicted on screen. Bob Dylan’s musical talents make the story feel more modern while staying true to the folk and blues soul that has become synonymous with the genre. While Straw Dogs remains my personal favorite of all the Peckinpah films I’ve seen, Pat Garret and Billy the Kid feels like his most polished and personal. It’s a fitting inclusion to the Criterion Collection, and a welcome addition to my personal collection of physical media.
The special features
The set comes with multiple cuts of the film, including its original theatrical release, on various 4K discs. Also included is a new documentary, Passion & Poetry, from Mike Siegel and an interview, Dylan in Durango, with author Clinton Heylin. Author Steve Erickson provides a detailed essay exploring the film in depth.
Additionally the original trailer and tv spots, archival footage and interviews and more are included.
Would I recommend this purchase: Hell yeah.
Is it worth a blind buy: Again… hell yeah. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid is an entertaining watch with Peckinpah’s typical excess.
9/10
