The Wild Bunch [Director's Cut] [Blu-ray] [1969] [Region Free]

Obviously a great film, one of the best westerns ever made, but the Blu-ray does not seem much better than the DVD version...think it needs restoration.

Blu Ray offers a clean and sharp picture and great sound.

This is a review of the 2008 All Region Blu-ray of the ‘Original Director’s Cut’, from Warner Home Video. Although not a restoration, the quality is very good.This 1969 film, directed by the late, great, Sam Peckinpah, is widely regarded as one of THE great Westerns. But it is also one of the most controversial, because it falls squarely into the category of ‘revisionist’ Westerns, so-called because they totally de-mythologize the genre, as it had been portrayed since the start of movie Westerns. No wonder that John Wayne is said to have detested this film!The film is set in 1913, motor cars are just appearing, and German military men are advising corrupt Mexican Federales. Against this backdrop, Pike Bishop and his ‘bunch’ of ageing, dissolute, outlaws, eke out a living robbing increasingly well-defended targets in the old-fashioned way, with rifles and horses. Several, including Bishop, are struggling physically, and dream of retiring, although they have little idea of a future. The railroad in southern Texas, a regular target, is determined to stop them permanently. They have engaged an unsavoury, motley crew of Bounty Hunters to do the deed. These are led by Deke Thornton, formerly one of Bishop’s gang, paroled from prison for the purpose.Thornton, Bishop and Bishop’s friend Dutch Engstrom, are played by Robert Ryan, William Holden and Ernest Borgnine, in probably the finest performances of their careers. Despite their criminal history and their violence-stained lives, they are men of the ‘Old West’, with a certain code and perhaps even an intrinsic chivalry. But they are surrounded by men who do not share their moral compass. And they are out of time, and they know it. The film shows how the motor car and the huge machine gun they steal for the Mexican general, spell the end of the horse and the hand gun.The film was shot in Mexico by Lucien Ballard, one of the most talented Western cinematographers (‘Ride the High Country’ 1962; ‘True Grit’ 1969). The bleak, barren, arid landscape is stunningly photographed. The choreography of the furious action sequences and the film’s notorious bloody shoot-outs, is also incredible, and superbly captured. And there are troubling little scenes of children, playing with scorpions and red ants: the symbolism of killers being overwhelmed by an ordered and organised society is clear.My husband adores this film, and has watched it many times. I am a huge Western fan, but I have some sympathy with John Wayne. This is a strangely beautiful film, very exciting, well acted and engrossing. The violence is balletic, almost surreal. So, is it one of the finest Westerns ever? For me, no. Fine, but not the finest.

Looks great in wide-screen.

I unspooled this on a Saturday night. Twas’ a heavy film. Why not unspool your own copy? It’s aces.

Early 20th century.A group of Outlaws led by Pike(William Holden)who are finding that times are passing them by narrowly escape an ambush whilst robbing a Wells Fargo.A "posse"led by ex gang member Deke Thornton(Robert Ryan)who engineered the ambush pursue them into Mexico where the bunch attempt to set up one last haul by selling stolen guns to a mexican despot.Sam Peckinpah's best film -with due respect to Pat Garrett and Ride THe High Country- is the greatest western ever made.Dialogue,cinematography,music,direction and editing are without peer in the genre.This the longest version at 145 minutes is splendid in blu ray with only the end sequence being somewhat grainy.However what really sets The Wild Bunch apart in delivering Peckinpah's interpretation of a dying west is the acting.Here more so than in Pat Garrett,he assembled through luck,judgement whatever a group of actors that could just not be replicated today.Sure there are many fine actors around today but when one of the better ones of today Billy Bob Thornton says on the main doc that he was in awe of Warren Oates,you just know the Bunch would not work today.Career best turns from Holden and Borgnine are augmented by Ben Johnson, Oates, a wonderful Edmund O'Brien as Sykes and of course Robert Ryan whose ability to invest flawed characters with a vivid sense of honour was well in force here.The casting lower down is impeccable too with the superb L Q Jones and Strother Martin as two feral members of the posse being standouts.The opening gun battle with Peckinpah juxtaposing the brutality and almost carnality of the combatants against the innocent children witnessing carnage that will haunt their childhoods forever is brillianty judged.Here on blu ray this sequence really comes alive with the muted colours,the street dust and the faces of the men being pin sharp.The extras are the same as the standard def Two Disc Director's cut but for this film ,Blu ray is an essential purchase.

Peckinpah at his finest

This is a classic western now, but at the time was considered something a little bit revolutionary. Showing the taming of the old west through the last job of a rag tag bunch of outlaws. Violence and chaos acts as the bedrock for a more civilised country.Of course the violent and chaotic men in this adventure are romantacised somewhat they still come across as a group of people that you would not like to associate with.I found this film to be very good indeed, of course it helps if you are a fan of the western genre, as the pace is at times slow, and striking visuals do a lot of extra work which adds atmosphere rather than advancing plot quickly.However if you do like westerrns then this is really one that you should see.The Blu-Ray transfer is good and the sound quality is exceptional.