The Wild Bunch - The Original Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)

The Mexico of 'The Wild Bunch' looks more like a metaphor than a real place. It is both Heaven and Hell; the theatre where the bunch will find Death but also Redemption. Accordingly, every Mexican depicted in the picture is either a saint or a monster (no middle ground here, except for the Mexican member of the Bunch, who is aptly named "Angel", although a fallen one). This serves the story splendidly, for it's meant to be an epic ballad and not a travelogue, but it does jolt the Mexican viewer because the "good Mexico" is portrayed so idyllic it's unreal, while the "bad Mexico" is very, very accurate; in fact, no American movie has captured the look, sound, feel, texture and carnage of the Mexican Revolution as this one has (even if the grandiose final scene, where the Bunch kills hundreds of heavily armed soldiers all by themselves and none of the four falls down even when riddled by bullets, defies all logic!). Perhaps that's why it was banned in Mexico back when it was released in 1969.

Funny, for it was filmed in Mexico as well. The Texas bordertown you see at the begining of the story is actually Parras, Coahuila, and many of its citizens acted as extras in the movie: white ones as "Texans", brown ones as -what else?- Mexicans! Don Raul Madero, brother of Francisco I. Madero, the man who started the Mexican Revolution, appears ...as a Texan! Even the two German officers are Mexican! So, as you can see, we Mexicans come in all shapes, sizes and colors, and hardly fit these two tiresome "noble peasant"-"greaser bandito" stereotypes American movies seem so comfortable with! I hope some day Hollywood realizes this and "walk the extra mile" to portray us for what we are: a very complex and diverse society. Neither saints, nor monsters, and certainly not mere bowling pins!

P.S.: Many great Mexican directors, all personal friends of Peckinpah, appear in the film. Emilio "Indio" Fernandez (Mapache) and Chano Urueta (Angel's grandfather) were the best of our cinema's Golden Age. Fernando Wagner (German officer) was also a competent theatre director, and Alfonso Arau (Herrera) is best known for his international hit 'Like Water for Chocolate'. Jorge Russek (Zamorra) was an outstanding photographer for National Geographic, and Sonia Amelio (Teresa) is a world-aclaimmed dancer (she was even awarded with an "Order of Lenin" back in the Soviet Union). And just for the record, the word "Mapache" ("racoon") stands for "coward thief". No Mexican general, no matter how corrupt, would use, I believe, such a nickname! And since Mapache is "a killer working for Huerta", the action takes place in 1913, not 1916 (Huerta was ousted in early 1914).


Peckinpah's moment in time still packs a punch   March 29, 2003
Chris K. Wilson (Dallas, TX United States)
73 out of 85 found this review helpful

There's not much that can be noted about Sam Peckinpah's brilliant 1969 western epic "The Wild Bunch" that has not already been written. It was an unanticipated, influential work where all things came together, but for a moment, the end product a huge, sweeping canvas of intimacy between comrades, violence between combatants, desperate anger amidst changing times. Part Kurosawa, part Siegel, part Fuller, part Ford, Peckinpah combined his inspirations with a healthy dose of 1960s rebellion producing the ultimate work of his generation, and one of the greatest westerns in history. It was Peckinpah's great fortune that the right actors were available for this film - William Holden and Robert Ryan in the twilight of their memorable careers, Ernest Borgnine with just enough youth to be a perfect and loyal presence, Edmond O'Brien chewing up the scenery with tobacco-stained teeth, and of course Peckinpah friends Strother Martin, L.Q. Jones and Warren Oates in salty supporting roles. It was also his great fortune cinematographer Lucien Ballard and composer Jerry Fielding were also on hand to participate in his steadfast vision.

Peckinpah also had something to prove at this point in his career, when he was still a hungry director with a vision, before alcoholism, disillusionment and celebrity status took hold. He hid nothing from viewers, and his contradictory heart was laid bare in "The Wild Bunch." The direction and editing during the violent moments of this film - the opening bank robbery and the concluding battle with the Mexican army - are some of the most unforgettable scenes ever put on film. But ironically, and this was usually the case in most Peckinpah films, it is the quiet moments one remembers. Pike (Holden) and Dutch's (Borgnine) melancholy conversation next to a campfire; The Bunch riding out of Angel's village as if in a funeral procession; Deke (Ryan) taking Pike's pistol from it's holster, gently holding it in his hand; and of course Pike standing in the doorway and mouthing two simple words, "Let's go."

And of course you have The Walk, in which Holden, Borgnine, Oates and Ben Johnson quietly begin loading their guns, cocking them, arming themselves, smiling at one another, standing shoulder to shoulder. There's not much left for these forgotten outlaws who have lived past their time. Just a code of honor, just their self respect. And so they Walk into the heart of the Mexican army to retrieve their comrade Angel, a prisoner and personal enemy of General Mapache. These surviving members of The Wild Bunch are free to go, but Angel, youthful, love-struck, rebellious, was one of them. They are not going to leave their comrade.

After viewing the extraordinary documentary "The Wild Bunch: An Album In Montage" and seeing the rare footage of Peckinpah literally improvising The Walk, walking alongside Holden, Borgnine, Oates and Johnson, inventing by instinct, one realizes how fiercely creative this man was as a director. This film was his moment in time, his vision, his idea, Peckinpah's nightmarish and amazing dream.

Peckinpah never really made a film quite like "The Wild Bunch" again. Of course, no director ever really has before or since. His uneven career of 14 films, some good, some not, has been celebrated and honored. Peckinpah the man, adorned in faded jeans and bandanna, certainly perpetuated his myth-like status. But in the end, you will always have "The Wild Bunch," an unforgettable film, raw, gritty, whiskey-soaked, sublime. I cry whenever I watch this film. I cry in awe. All things came together for Peckinpah on "The Wild Bunch," and the moment is everlasting.


Peckinpah's ode to the closing of the American West.....   October 24, 2000
P. Ferrigno (Melbourne, Victoria Australia)
43 out of 52 found this review helpful

It would be impossible for film fans to have a conversation about controversial movies throughout the years, and for the epic western, "The Wild Bunch" not to get a solid mention.

Since I first saw this film over twenty years ago, I have owned numerous versions on VHS and laser disc, and it is particularly satisfying to finally have the restored directors version, with the accompanying documentary "The Wild Bunch : An album in montage" available on DVD in true widescreen format.

Sam Peckinpah's blood and thunder tale of outlaws on the Texas/Mexican border with their own set of unique morals has been such a dynamic influence on many directors and future films since it's release way back in 1969. But what sets "The Wild Bunch" apart from it's many imitators is it's deep, almost mythical storytelling, the complex moral nature of the characters peopling the tale and the gritty passion & energy that Peckinpah infused into the entire production. William Holden and Ernest Borgnine are simply tremendous as Pike & Dutch, the leaders of the Bunch...each man with his own individuality. Ben Johnson & Warren Oates portray the crazy Gorch Brothers, Jaime Sanchez is the arrogant and fiercely partiotic Mexican, Angel...and Edmond O'Brien is the grizzly, old timer Sykes.

Additionally, Peckinpah's film features Emilio Fernandez as the bloated, evil dictator Mapache...Albert Dekker as the manipulative and remorseless railroad man, Harrigan....and Robert Ryan putting in another one of his strong performances as the ex-gang member turned reluctant bounty hunter, Deke Thornton. And a Peckinpah movie almost wouldn't be complete without the appearance of LQ Jones and Strother Martin as a pair of filthy, grave robbing bounty hunters out for the reward on the heads of the Wild Bunch.

The Wild Bunch pulls no punches in it's tale of desperado's who they themselves are desperately running out of time...as Holden reflects in the film "We've got to start thinking beyond our guns...those days are closing fast". Whilst "The Wild Bunch" is most notorious for it's two bloody shootouts that book end the film's 144 minute running time...there is so much excitement, passion, adventure and personal conflict within the movie that can be found upon each repeated viewing of this stunning work.

A film that can be treasured and enjoyed by any true film fan....The Wild Bunch will be continually looked upon as one of the most important contributions to American cinema.


If you are going to see one Peckinpah, look no further.   December 8, 1998
Brian E. Ridge (Tampa, FL)
24 out of 33 found this review helpful

Western cinematography at its best, strong willed anti-hero gunslingers and William Holden's usual strong performance make for the Classic Western of the 60's and certainly better than 99.9% of the westerns made since. Being a bit of a purist, the widescreen DVD is an absolute must for the ultimate Peckinpah experience.

Of course being a Pechinpah film eliminates the squimish, those who demand fast plot development, most of the fairer gender, and those who don't enjoy slow motion death scenes greater than five minutes in duration. Admitedly It is a male testosterone joy ride and you couldn't find a worse choice for romantic nights.

If you liked the story, pace and characters of "The Unforgiven" (Best Picture 1992), this is a likely one for you to add to your collection. If you find yourself enjoying the violence of some Tarantino or Scorsese films - see this.

Many movie historians site "The Wild Bunch" as the movie that ushered in graphic depiction of gore and violence so prevelent today. All have there own takes, for me here the violence does fit the movie and themes presented much like "Raging Bull" (Best Picture 1980). It is far more than the Van Damme or Segal violence for violence sake tripe films of today.


"Mr. Thornton, it's them." DUH!   May 2, 2005
Ghenghis (Monvolia)
24 out of 74 found this review helpful

I finally get it - it's a comedy!

Most Barcalounger Western fans consider director Sam Peckinpah's western to be a seminal work in the genre. I guess this is because Peckinpah depicted people being shot as though they were actually taking a bullet. Prior to this, characters in Westerns would clutch their stomachs, call out for their Mommas and fall to the ground in dramatic Shakespearean fashion. Why critics thought this film was especially groundbreaking probably has to do with the fact that most film critics are lucky if they can make it to the popcorn stand and back without breaking a sweat. In other words, their range of actual experience is semi-limited and seeing somebody get realistically shot seemed new and cool at the time.

And of course it's all the rage now to glorify a director of Peckinpah's "vision", much like Stanley Kubrick. Movies don't have to entertain anymore, or make any sense as long as they're different and The Wild Bunch is different-as far as I know we even have the genre's first two gay killers in LQ Jones and Strother Martin. Now these two are FUNNY, but not as funny as General Mapache with his finger superglued to the trigger of a Gatling gun. Now THAT was funny!

Yes, the Western was dying as a genre in 1969 and the characters in the film were dying as viable villains and that does lend itself to overzealous analysis. Thats fine, but over 3600 scene-to-scene cuts/edits goes way past the point of reasonableness. It leaves the viewer dizzy in the wake of a director's blatant self-indulgence and disregard for his audience and honestly it's just plain tiresome to watch.

My Opinion: Overrated with a capital "O" as well as overlong. I will give credit to the director for his obvious passion for creativity, but does it work-NO! Aside from the blood and guts this film's departure from the tried and true western formula leaves you flat- there aren't any "good guys" in this movie. There was no one to root for or against-you just don't care one way or the other. This movie is totally pointless and the director knows this, it's a joke on the audience exemplified by the whiskey bottle scene where Warren Oates is left holding the empty bottle with nothing to drink- it's a metaphor for what you are left holding at the end of the movie-NOTHING.

Even the famous "walk" into Mapache's compound for the showdown is hilarious...with shotguns casually cradled in their arms and a dumb grin on their face these guys look more like they're going duck hunting, not marching to their almost inevitable demise. "Glory through stupidity" is what I think the director is trying to convey in this scene.

And although the big gun fight may have been groundbreaking at the time, I find it just doesn't make this movie into a classic all by itself. The entire rest of this film is mediocre at best. The bridge scene is the clear highlight of the film but where are the multiple camera angles when you really need them? Not only is this NOT the greatest Western of all time, and not even close to being one of the top 50 Westerns ever made, it's not even Peckinpah's best Western - that honor belongs to "Ride the High Country," a much less grotesque and far superior film.

Final analysis: It's a joke on the public and the critics, all who refuse to say anything negative about this film. The final shoot out is hysterical and it offers William Holden's best line of the movie..."Bitch." Take a cue from Edmund O'Brien and Robert Ryan in the final scene....they're laughing along with the rest of the cast via flashbacks and so am I at anyone who thinks this is some sort of masterpiece. Is it creative film making-yes, does it pass for entertainment-NO, is it any good-Hell NO! To those of you that insist this is the "greatest western of all time" I submit you don't know a hell of a lot about westerns. My suggestion to you all is to go rent the Trinity series, Lucky Luke, and Zachariah-you'll find them just as appealing as they are stupid and irrelevant, much like the Wild Bunch. Oh yeah, and don't forget to pick up a copy of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid while you're out, it's even worse. 2 black cats