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The Wild Bunch

The Wild Bunch (1969)

June. 19,1969
|
7.9
|
R
| Western

An aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the "traditional" American West is disappearing around them.

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Reviews

Clevercell
1969/06/19

Very disappointing...

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Loui Blair
1969/06/20

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

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Ginger
1969/06/21

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

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Josephina
1969/06/22

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

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Fella_shibby
1969/06/23

As a fan of Westerns, I saw this film many times in the early 90s. Saw this recently again on a DVD aft many years. The film is groundbreaking and beautiful and extremely violent. It tells the story of an aging gang of outlaws going for one last big score with the plan to retire aft its completion. Times r changing, towns n people r getting civilized, automobiles r replacing horses. An older n tired looking William Holden stars as Pike Bishop, the leader of his gang of outlaws. He's a bad guy but he's also noble. Ernest Borgnine is William Holdens second in command. Their scene together around a campfire is very good. Warren Oates, Ben Johnson n Jaime Sánchez r the remaining gang members. The camaraderie n chemistry between the gang members is what makes us root for the bad guys. The 4 men must put their collective code of honor to the test when they come to the aid of one of their member, Jaime Sánchez. I loved the scene where the gang of four r walking with their guns for the final confrontation after Pike (Holden) mutters "let's go," and no one questions him. The film has many great scenes. The bank heist n shootout in the beginning, the train robbery, the bridge explosion, the out of control machine gun scene and of course the final shootout. Robert Ryan plays a former member of the gang, released from a Yuma prison in order to lead a gang of bounty hunters in tracking down his old partners in crime. He has no choice but to hunt down his old friend (Holden) or else be sent back to the prison. Peckinpahs direction n screenplay is brilliant. His filming techniques were awesome. The Wild Bunch is beautifully shot by Lucien Ballard. The editing by Lou Lombardo is awesome.

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Python Hyena
1969/06/24

The Wild Bunch (1969): Dir: Sam Peckinpah / Cast: William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Warren Oats, Ben Johnson, Robert Ryan: Symbolic western masterpiece wherein the term "wild" regards our declining attitude towards violence. The film introduces four aged gunfighters who obey a code. They do not believe in torture but stress that getting in the way of fire is a bad idea. It opens with children huddled around to the delight of seeing two scorpions being tortured by ants. The scorpions symbolize the Bunch while the ants are the rebels they will engage in graphic gunfire. Director Sam Peckinpah brought violent cinema to a whole new level as well as creates one of the greatest and most sincere westerns ever made. William Holden is flawless as the leader joined by Ernest Borgnine, Warren Oats and Ben Johnson, all of whom are effective. They are also being pursued by a bounty hunter who was formerly one of them. He is played by Robert Ryan who knows them and can counter their moves. They have witnessed the very core of violent nature and can only foresee a future of brutal consequence. There are three gunfights that involve severe civilian casualties but the film is really about violence through generations particularly when children joyfully chase after a jeep dragging an Indian behind it. "Boy, do I hate to see that," reserves the worn men who have seen it all before. Score: 10 / 10

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punishmentpark
1969/06/25

I've been looking forward to this one a long time, expecting a brutal western full of senseless bloodshed and what not... and I can't really say I'm disappointed!Putting William Holden in the lead was a great idea - looking like a civil enough guy. Ernest Borgnine has always been one of my favorites 'old-timers' anyway, so it was fun to see him here as well. Warren Oates played a terrific role, even if (or exactly because) he got the short end of the stick here all the time.The opening scene is instantly classic. I don't know if anyone had done such a thing before (freezing frames and switching between present and past), but I'm sure lots of directors got their inspiration here.Apparently, some people don't care for the heavily accentuated characters and humour at times (who gets that last drop of whiskey?), but it didn't feel out of place to me. The finale could be dismissed for the same reasons, but I don't think it deserves to be - at all.A big 8 - or a small 9 out of 10... what do you think?

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Mr-Fusion
1969/06/26

Watching "The Wild Bunch", you can't shake the feeling that, well not necessarily that they don't make 'em like this anymore, but . . . well, maybe they don't. Featured herein is a band of over-the-hill gunfighters, a violent statement on the dying Old West, and heightened levels of violence to bring the point right home. Not to mention a rugged cast to bring these characters to life. And even with all of the weapons fire and blood squibs, there's an endearing sense of honor at the heart of all of this - personified by the beautifully-cast William Holden.7/10

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