180. The Wild Bunch

The Wild Bunch (1969)

Director: Sam Peckinpah

Starring: William Holden

Robert Ryan

Ernest Borgnine

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 8.5

"We've got to start thinking beyond our guns. Those days are closin' fast."

Synopsis

In what may be considered one of the "last great westerns", The Wild Bunch is the story of a posse headed up by Pike Bishop (William Holden) who have just failed in their supposed last great score. The bunch flee south to Mexico with their surviving members to hideout. Deke Thorton (Robert Ryan), the man hired to stop the outlaws, is released from prison to track them down. Thorton is promised a full pardon for his crimes if he tracks them down. While the basic plot isn't extremely original, the focus of this film really lies on a group of guys attempting to make their way in an ever-changing world, the only way they know how.

What's so great about The Wild Bunch?

What The Wild Bunch succeeds in doing is taking a genre and lifestyle we are familiar with, the wild west, and place it in a world where it is ultimately set up for failure. The addition of automatic machine guns and automobiles put the horse and rifle gang at a serious disadvantage in the beginning of the twentieth century. This refreshing take on the western genre ultimately serves as a last hurrah, as well as reminds us how great the wild west can be. The brutal violence of this film is presented in a non-gratuitous way that really adds to the realism and grit of this film.

Anything not so great?

While you can say that the film is original and refreshing, the group of corrupt Mexican military officials are portrayed rather stereotypically.

Best Scene

The opening "last score" scene not only sets the tone for the film, but is also extremely exciting to watch.

Does The Wild Bunch belong in the 250?

Yes. The Wild Bunch is one of the best films of all time within it's genre.

Final Words

I really enjoyed this film. Before I started this project, I was not a huge fan of the western genre. Films like The Wild Bunch and High Noon (to be reviewed later in the project) have really brought out a love of westerns. The gritty tone of the film sets a standard for films before and after it to be judged. This film comes highly recommended.