Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

This is a weird, somewhat sad and gritty western. It definitely lacks the romantic traits of most westerns, which are just full of heroic Indian warriors and plains crawling with buffalo, and you also won't find a classic good guy and bad guy, nothing is black and white. At the same time, however, there is no sparing of dead bodies, which is typical of Sam Peckinpah's films, he was never afraid to push the envelope, and in his films he kills with a passion (see The Wild Bunch). The sad mood is completed by the music of Bob Dylan, who also plays one of the main roles. (04.01.2003)

A slightly different kind of western by Sam Peckinpah. About friendship, with a soundtrack of songs by Bob Dylan. The role of a lifetime for Kris Kristofferson, one of James Coburn's best, and a great acting opportunity for Dylan. It is a slow-flowing contemplation set in a classic western reality. As I said at the beginning - a slightly different kind of western. (13.07.2007)

An atypical western distinguished by a nostalgic mood, enhanced by excellent music and color filters tuned to sandy hues. While the film breaks certain myths and genre conventions, it creates others in turn. Primarily, it constructs the romantic myth of outlaws as followers and protectors of freedom. They were, pardon the expression, rather ordinary thugs and thieves, who, as the film rightly points out, often, under the pressure of civilization and pragmatism, became guardians of justice, sheriffs, and their deputies. Former comrades from criminal gangs often found themselves pitted against each other. Essentially, Sam Peckinpah idealizes the old Wild West and sees the advancing civilization as the decay of old positive values. However, that civilization brought with it the rule of law and social certainties. Beyond that, those old gunslingers didn't have as good aim as Peckinpah's films might suggest. Overall impression: 75%. It's nonetheless a decently acted and directed western where style is elevated above substance. (10.04.2009)

The film earned full stars from me, among other things, because I saw it in the movie theater, thanks to God and thanks to the Pilsen Film Club! Peckinpah's opus about two guys who are just the way they are, and nobody can do anything about it, is a western gem. I love Dylan's soundtrack (and I don't mean the old “Knockin' on Heavens Door"). (16.10.2007)

This western has an incredible atmosphere of impending downfall. Someone’s downfall. At the beginning, we know who is dying, but as we return in retrospect, we realize that what we saw at the start has a deeper meaning than we originally thought. The destruction of the individual here is quite realistic, yet the ending isn't so bloody, but rather emotional. Plus there’s Dylan's wonderful music and his acting skills. (29.09.2015)