Rating: 
Summary: Legendary on Every Level
Review: A pornographically violent film, The Wild Bunch is a tribute to the possibilities of storytelling in cinema. When I watch it from beginning to end, I'm caught up in the momentum of a cast, crew, and director at the top of their forms, creating a world that manages to be utterly convincing but at the same time thoroughly stylized. It is hard to decide what quality is most impressive in Peckinpah, but when I choose individual sequences such as the opening robbery and bloodbath or the train heist that culminates in the bridge explosion, what strikes me is the confidence and energy of his editing, the way he combines details, gestures, and movements to involve viewers in the actions of his characters. On the basis of this film, which both celebrates and mourns the passing of the western and what it has represented in cinema and culture, Peckinpah defines himself as an artist who is steeped in the tradition of the medium he mastered, and as an innovator who would take that medium new places. The films that followed, such as Straw Dogs, Junior Bonner, Cross of Iron, and The Ostermann Weekend, were uneven, but that erratic quality was the mark of a visionary who would take chances, not caring whether they would help or hurt him. No director, before or since, is quite like Sam Peckinpah. His sole rival during the peak of his career was Stanley Kubrick, and the fact that Kubrick remains revered while Peckinpah is relatively obscure says more about the limits of what we, as audiences, can handle and appreciate, than about Peckinpah's achievements and legacy.
Rating:
Summary: Peckinpah's Second Masterpiece
Review: When Sam Peckinpah was fired from THE CINCINNATI KID after the fiasco of MAJOR DUNDEE, he was considered a has-been. And to think that at the beginning of the decade, he was a genius, thanks to RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY. However, Kenneth Hyman decided to give him another chance several years later with THE WILD BUNCH. Some have considered it to be an allergory to Vietnam, others have said it's a cinematic bloodbath. Peckinpah himself said he just wanted to show "what the hell it felt like to be shot." Well, that he did, & in a most splendid way. Drawing out wonderful performances from a splendid cast, he managed to reach the top once more. While he managed to make some fine films afterwards, such as CROSS OF IRON & THE GETAWAY, he never reached the pinnacle he did with this film. This has long been considered to be one of the finest westerns ever made, but it's more than that . . . it's one of the greatest films.
Rating:
Summary: no political correcteness here
Review: One must recognize it, the protagonists of this movie are not politically correct: they are killer and violent, drunk and dirty. Upon there, nothing new. Nevertheless Peckimpah's talent does that this isn't another more film of action. Yes they have criminality but also this band has dignity, based principally in the friendship and some strange principles; - " We don't hang people " - says the personage played by Borgnine and also the General Mapache, that even being another criminal, is able to raise the admiration of a child when it is being defeated by the governmental troops, a touch that the people inside the law lacks absolutely and are show more miserable and poor than the bandits, case of the people of the railroad and the German advisers to the Mexican troops, because the history is very well fixed in a precise historic time -1913- shortly before I World War while the Far West is finished so these wild bunch hasn't yet a place in these world. Violence is sure terrible, but not unfounded here and so one can feel it inside because this movie is deeply although disquieting human, a very difficult thing to achieve in cinema and for that this movie is truly outstanding.
Rating: 
Summary: Real Good DVD!
Review: This is a must for everyone who hasn't seen or experienced Sam Peckinpah's finest film. The only thing that is bad with the DVD is that it is a single layer disk so the whole doesn't fit on one side. You have to switch side on the disk and that sucks. The best thing is of course the possibility to see the film in Widescreen and it is a real feast. The supplements is also really good especially the production notes was a surprise. Here you are informed a lot more what the differences are between the different cuts of the wild bunch. The documentary is also real good. However, I would have wanted some more about Sam's dark sides as a director. Maybe they should have included the documentary E! made about him. This is probably the best edition we will see about this movie so If you haven't seen it this is the one you wanna get your hands on.
Rating:
Summary: lets go - why not
Review: I have seen this movie between 20 and 30 times in cinema, on video and dvd. It is in my opinion the best western ever made. Not because the ballets of dying (which impressed me the first two times) but essentially the performance of the actors William Holden and the mexican film director acting as Mapache. I hope that one way or the other I can buy or lend a copy of all the footing and not used film material of which the wild bunch was cut. Sam Peckingpa made a masterpeace. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning the first thing I say to myself (not to loud): lets go - why not.
Rating:
Summary: A good Western, with the BEST ENDING EVER
Review: The "Bunch" moves along at an exciting pace, with action, good character development, some depth and perspective on who the real bad guys are (the big money railroad and not the bandits), and a lot of bloodshed. Then... an ending that makes you want to dig out the old plastic gun and felt hat and play shoot-em-up in the backyard. The best gunfight ever captured on film. If "Unforgiven" represents the worst of the old west and what it did to your character, the "Bunch" represents the best. As much as "Godfather" or "Bridge over River Kwai", this movie shows you what real Honor is, in a way only great film can do. Uncommon Valour. Borgnine plays tough for the 999th time, as good as always, Holden is a great leader, the Mexican kid is compelling, but the best acting is Robert Ryan as "Deke." What depth for old west outlaw, turned informant, turned reluctant bounty hunter, he is a character you won't find in any other movie. One my favorites of AFI's top 100 along with Manchurian Candidate.
Rating:
Summary: The Wild Bunch is Wild Fun!
Review: If you're looking for a true classic of the cinema, look no further than Sam Peckinpah's classic Western "The Wild Bunch". It is a rousing epic, expertly crafted by a true cinematic storyteller. Sam Peckinpah's movies have often been criticized as being too violent. Well, as expected, the violence is there in this film, but it is certainly no worse than anything you'd see nowadays. The only difference between Peckinpah's violence and the violence in today's films is that Peckinpah uses the violent confrontations to both help the story and also develop the characters. The main characters in this film are ornery, yet have a touch of humanity that is absolutely believable. You laugh with them, cry with them and care what happens to them, all with the understanding that you would NEVER want to run into them in a dark alley. This character development is part the work of Peckinpah and part the work of the actors (William Holden, Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine, Warren Oates, etc). There isn't a bad performance or wasted word between these characters. So I strongly recommend this film. It is a treat to behold. And, if you've never seen it, I envy you the experience you are about to have.
Rating:
Summary: one of cinema's TRUE masterpieces...100 stars arent enough!
Review: a beautiful portrait of cinematic intelligence, art and dedication. Sam peckinpah's the wild bunch is probably the greatest western ever if not the greatest film ever made. beautifully photographed and directed by the late great american genious SAM PECKINPAH!. great story, great acting, emotional landscapes and as violent as ww2.
films like this will never be again. So why pass the oportunity to add movie history to your collection...and believe me, you dont have to be a western fan to love this.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST Ode to the Ole West!!! Score: 100 (out of 100)
Review: Sam Peckinpah's BEST film and BEST Ode to the Ole West!!! Aging outlaws are running out of time and banks to rob. Strenghs: acting, cinematography, direction, score, etc.
Weakness: none, a perfect film Score: 100 (out of 100)
Rating:
Summary: "The Wild Bunch" A Cinematic Masterpiece
Review: Forget all the hoopla about this film being a milestone of escalating violence or reflective of a turbulent 1960's culture. Forget that Sam Peckinpah used brilliantly innovative, multi-camera shots to create one of the most beautifully cinematic masterpieces ever shot on film. "The Wild Bunch" is simply one of the three best Westerns ever made. The other two being George Steven's "Shane" and John Ford's "The Searchers". From the opening sequence where bounty hunters attempt to ambush Pike Bishop's crew of professional killers during a temperance league parade, to the last battle with Mexican soldiers, this film delivers on all levels. Set against the backdrop of the bloody Mexican Revolution, this tale of friendship, loyalty and honor among thieves displays the talents of an unbelievable ensemble cast at the peak of their talents. William Holden is at his absolute best as Pike, with great support from Ernest Borgnine at Dutch. However, I would be remiss in not mentioning the superb performances by Robert Ryan as Deke Thornton and Edmund O' Brien as Sykes. In a closing sequence with these two actors laughing at what fate has wrought, one is reminded of the closing sequence of "Treasure of Sierra Madre", where Walter Huston and Tim Holt laugh at the outcome of their fortunes. In 1969, I was thirteen years old when I first saw this movie. Since then, I have never tired of this picture and continue to discover different nuances in this magnificently acted classic of the dying west.
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