The Wild Bunch: Sam Peckinpah's Beloved Western Gets a Re-Release (Blu-ray)

The Film:

When Sam Peckinpah's epic western "The Wild Bunch" came out in 1969, it opened to a bit of controversy over its use of graphic violence in its effort to tell a tale of the end of the outlaw gunslinger era, an element that caused more than a few critics to give it unfavorable reviews. However, there were also those that instantly recognized it for its greatness, including Roger Ebert, who deemed the film a masterpiece and included it in his top ten that year. The film also gained some recognition on the awards circuit, picking up Oscar nominations for its Original Screenplay (written by Walon Green, Roy N. Sickner, and Sam Peckinpah) and Henry Fielding's Original Score, as well as a Directors Guild nod for Peckinpah.

Since then, it's gone on to be called one of the greatest westerns ever made, and was even named to the American Film Institute's list of the greatest American films of all time. The film just reached its incredible 55th anniversary last year, and now Warner Bros. is celebrating this grand classic by re-issuing the special edition Blu-ray that was released way back in 2007, so as usual, it's time once again to delve into another beloved classic to see why it's held in such esteem.

Taking place in 1913 Texas, the film centers on a band of outlaws led by Pike Bishop (William Holden), who is looking to retire after one last robbery of a railroad payroll office. Little do they know that the whole thing is a trap set up by Pat Harrigan (Albert Dekker) and a band of bounty hunters he's hired, led by Deke Thornton (Robert Ryan), Pike's former partner-in-crime that got caught. After a wild shootout that leaves several members of Pike's crew dead, they discover the ploy when they find nothing but washers in the bags.

Still needing a big score, Pike and the rest of the gang, including Dutch (Ernest Borgnine), Angel (Jaime Sánchez), Freddie (Edmond O'Brien), and brothers Lyle (Warren Oates) and Tector (Ben Johnson), head for Mexico, where they eventually take on a job from a Mexican General (Emilio Fernández) that will have them risking their lives to rob a U.S. Army train filled with guns. Will this be the last big payday that Pike has been looking for, or will the entire endeavor only end up bringing them more trouble?

Revisiting "The Wild Bunch" several decades after its original, somewhat troubled release, it's not that hard to see why its reputation swung around in the interval. It's a wildly entertaining story, packed with plenty of exciting action throughout its epic two and a half hour length, featuring characters that we actually come to care about during that time, despite the fact that they're notorious outlaws. This is not an easy feat to accomplish, and yet, Peckinpah and his fellow screenwriters develop this gang of thieves in such a way as to have the audience riveted & excited to see what they do next.

Bringing them to life is a stellar cast that includes Oscar winners William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Edmond O'Brien, Ben Johnson, and Oscar nominee Robert Ryan. The grittiness & realism they bring to their characters, coupled with the film's incredible period details & stunning technical elements, makes the film even more compelling and engaging than it otherwise might have been. It makes it a bit of a shock that it didn't receive any major nominations for its cast or in any below-the-line categories, though it did receive Best Cinematography from the National Society of Film Critics and a pair of awards for Sound Editing from the Motion Picture Sound Editors at least.

As mentioned, the film also features some rather impressive action sequences, including the opening shootout, the daring train robbery, and, of course, the final confrontation that is mainly responsible for the film's violent reputation. All of these are executed with tremendous skill by Peckinpah and his team, making them extremely tense and thrilling, even during the gradual build-up of the train heist. They're even well-placed throughout the film, happening at the beginning, the middle, and the end, spreading it out nice & even so as not to overpower the story and allowing it to time to breath & develop.

With all of this, again, it's not difficult to see why Peckinpah's classic western remains such a beloved staple of the genre. It's got everything a fan of these films could want: memorable characters, a gripping story, lots of action, and it's impeccably made. Even after several decades, the film continues to hold audiences under its spell with all of these incredible elements, and there seems little doubt that it will continue to do so for quite some time.

Video/Audio:

"The Wild Bunch" comes to Blu-ray in a 2.4:1, 1080p High Definition transfer of excellent quality. The film looks absolutely stunning throughout its entire 145-minute duration, highlighting its exquisite period details. Likewise, the 5.1 Dolby Digital audio track is marvelous, giving you all of the dialogue, sound effects, and Jerry Fielding's Oscar-nominated score in outstanding quality. Overall, Warner Bros. has done a fantastic job in both departments for the re-release of this classic western.

Special Features:

Commentary by Peckinpah Biographers/Documentarians Nick Redman, Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons, and David Weddle

Sam Peckinpah's West: Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade (83 Minutes): A documentary that focuses on the director and his contribution to the Western genre.

The Wild Bunch: An Album in Montage (33 Minutes): A vintage featurette that explores the making of the film.

A Simple Adventure Story: Sam Peckinpah, Mexico, and The Wild Bunch (24 Minutes): An excerpt from a documentary that discusses the film.

Outtakes (9 Minutes)

Conclusion:

Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch" remains a beloved staple of the western genre, utilizing a gripping story, memorable characters, exciting action, and impeccable technical elements to deliver a thrilling adventure that continues to hold audiences under its spell decades after its original release. If it's been a while since your last viewing, or if you somehow haven't seen this cherished classic at all, then this re-release is an easy recommendation to add to your personal collection.

Score: 4/5

Now available on Blu-ray.

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