An extraordinarily well-made film about anachronistic outlaws in the early 20th century, Sam Peckinpah's THE WILD BUNCH feels like it should have been the final western. This harsh yet elegaic story proved controversial upon its release not only because, like BONNIE AND CLYDE two years
before, it upped the ante on American screen violence but also, in industry circles, because of the war it started between the producer, Feldman, and the director.
As with the majority of Peckinpah's work, the studios and producers mutilated the film to suit their needs (to cut its length, to eliminate controversy, to prove their power over the ever-difficult Peckinpah) and distri...
Released:
1969
Rated:
R
Length:
143 mins