Sam Peckinpah’s Western, featuring a strong cast and music by Bob Dylan, is described as both lyrical and dull. The film, set in 1881 New Mexico, centers on Pat Garrett (James Coburn), now a lawman employed by ranchers to eliminate his former friend, Billy the Kid (Kris Kristofferson). The narrative culminates in a final confrontation at Fort Sumner. Bob Dylan appears as a mysterious figure who assists Billy, while several recognizable actors make brief appearances, often meeting violent ends—including R.G. Armstrong, Matt Clark, L.Q. Jones, Slim Pickens, Jack Elam, Katy Jurado, Chill Wills, Jason Robards, and Richard Jaeckel. “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid” (1973) originated from a script Peckinpah intended to produce twelve years prior as his definitive portrayal of Billy the Kid, based on Charles Neider’s 1956 novel “The Authentic Death of Hendry Jones.” Stanley Kubrick was initially slated to direct that project, which eventually evolved into Marlon Brando's acclaimed film "One-Eyed Jacks" (1961), with Peckinpah receiving no writing credit. Production proved difficult, as the director battled serious alcoholism and could only work effectively for a few hours each day. Kristofferson brought Dylan on board, who initially composed only the title song but ultimately wrote the score and soundtrack, most notably including "Knockin' on Heaven’s Door.” The soundtrack was released shortly after the movie's release. The film shares similarities in tone and subject matter with Peckinpah’s “The Wild Bunch” (1969), with Coburn’s character echoing Robert Ryan’s role in that more well-known Western. It also evokes contemporary films like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “McCabe & Mrs. Miller," and “The Missouri Breaks.” However, it falls short of those films because the story feels both unengaging and slow despite frequent, violent gunfights occurring approximately every ten minutes. Like “The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid” from the previous year, it presents a harsh depiction of the Old West. Dylan’s straightforward folk songs don't enhance the film's appeal; instead, they detract from it. The reviewer expresses no disrespect for Dylan’s talent, acknowledging his music is adequate but feels too static to support the movie. Peckinpah reportedly complained about fifteen minutes being removed from his original cut, and six editors are officially credited with the final version. This may explain the lack of momentum in the film—too many people involved can ruin a project. On the positive side, Dylan delivers a commendable performance in his acting debut and more closely resembles the historical Billy the Kid than Kristofferson, whose appearance is likened to Jim Morrison’s. There are also some memorable sequences, such as Billy's ten-step duel with Elam’s character. The cast is undeniably impressive, including Rita Coolidge, who was dating Kristofferson during filming and later became his wife. For a better representation of Peckinpah’s Western filmmaking abilities, the reviewer recommends “Ride the High Country” (1962) and "The Ballad of Cable Hogue" (1970). Several versions exist: the theatrical release runs 1 hour and 46 minutes; a restored version from 1988 has a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes; and the 2005 Special Edition, which the reviewer watched, is 1 hour and 55 minutes long. The film was shot in Durango, Mexico, approximately 500 miles south of the actual locations in New Mexico. GRADE: C

Source on TMDB