Rating: 
Summary: Peckinpah at his best
Review: The Wild Bunch is, simply, a groundbreaking masterpiece of modern (or any era of) cinema. And that's not just because of the grisly violence, although it is a part. The two ultra-violent gunfights at the beginning and end are brilliantly directed and choreographed like no other, but the story of The Wild Bunch goes beyond the death and blood. It's the story of outlaws in changing times, like Peckinpah said. People who see only the violence in it (like most viewers of A Clockwork Orange do) are missing the point entirely.This film is surely Peckinpah's best, bar none. Straw Dogs was ok, but it was slow and didn't have a strong story like The Wild Bunch did (and, and this is not the main point, the violence in Straw Dogs was sloppy and not as realistic as The Wild Bunch). I saw Pat Jarrett & Billy the Kid based on the fact that Bob Dylan was in it, and that turned out to be its strongest asset. But The Wild Bunch was phenomenal, and I recommend it highly. Forget renting it, go and buy it right now.
Rating:
Summary: The Wild Bunch
Review: This is one of the finest action/adventure movies ever made. The plot,involving a group of aging outlaws in the American West at the beginning of the twentieth century, trying to score big one last time, doesn't carry an ounce of fat, and the acting, even by those playing the minor characters, is superb. Although it was made more than thirty years ago, this film contains some of the most intense and gripping action scenes ever filmed. The final showdown bewteen the gang of American outlaws and several hundred Mexican soldiers, complete with artfully shot slow motion, and spilt shots from different angels, was an instant classic, and set a new standard in action films. The Wild Bunch is also a surprisingly intelligent film, with a well written script. The protatganist and his fellow outlaws try to live by a complex code of loyalty to their comrades, and trust in each other, while operating outside the law, and dealing with men living by no code at all. Interests and loyalties become complex, strained, and constantly shifting. In the context of the late sixties, the way in which the film depicts a world in which values which were thought to be eternal were being discarded in an instant had a special resonance, which is still poignant today. It is a tragedy that this movie is so hard to find on video
Rating:
Summary: A true western classic
Review: When I first saw this back in 1969, I knew this was going to be a classic in every sense. The top notch actors, Peckinpah's direction and his close handling of the actors, the editing and the relentless violence all combined to create a film that has endured time. Aside from the terrific cast, the suspense and action (blood spattering aside), the dialog and interaction between the characters was suberb. There are so many classic one liner's and throw away lines that it still gets me to chuckle after all these years. Ryan's character asks "What's in Augu Verti?" The incredible Strother Martin returns "Mexicans, what else" is one example. Holden's comment at the very beginning when the Bunch is robbing the bank is Starbuck, "If they move, kill 'em." coupled with the music and the still shot is splendid. And of course, the final amazingly powerful "walk of death" is one of my favorite scenes when they are moving deeper into Mapache's compound. The final shoot out is and has been ranked as the very best type of sequence ever filmed. Too bad James Coburn and Lee Marvin couldn't have been available to have been in this one. For a viewing of a classic that has everything neatly packaged, this is the one to watch and own.
Rating:
Summary: One of the great American films
Review: I suppose I felt compelled to write this review after some cretin called this a "macho bore-fest" in another review. Another example of someone unwilling to look beyond the surface in order to find the deeper qualities that are present. The Wild Bunch is a surprisingly quiet film overall, despite the fact that it's notorious for its violence. The opening and closing portions of the film bookend almost two hours of characterization and development. There are action scenes during this part of the film, but they're relatively subtle. And of course, the violence here is nightmarish, which is the point. Peckinpah wasn't getting off on showing a man getting ripped through by a bullet, unlike what you'd find in a true "macho bore-fest" like "3000 Miles to Graceland". I recall a scene in the opening shootout when one of the Bunch is hit by a pair of bullets. As he's hit, Peckinpah cuts back to a shot of two terrified children watching him as he is shot. The violence in this film is real and true. The deaths are not honorable nor glamorized. As far as what lingers in my mind the most, in regards to this film, there is one moment: after the Agua Verde shootout that results in the death of the Bunch and seemingly all of Mapache's army, we are presented with the true result of the Bunch's days. They don't go out in a blaze of glory, which might be the last image we'd have in a lesser film. Instead, their bodies are carried out, unceremoniously draped over the backs over horses. To further show the indignity of their lives, when Coffer and T.C. come upon the Bunch inside the compound, one of them prepares to dig gold out of the teeth of one of the Gorch brothers. An incredibly dark, bleak, yet wonderfully meaningful film. A "macho bore fest" only to a viewer who has a Michael Medved-level of critical understanding. And is there any need to make a note of the acting? These aren't actors playing roles, these are real people. That's the impression that comes from the performances Peckinpah has elicited from his wonderful cast. From William Holden on down to Bo Hopkins and Dub Taylor, it's astonishing to see the number of great performances.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but overlong....
Review: i rented this directors cut and i did like the movie. The cinematogrophy was great and i loved the Mexican scenery. The acting was very good. But the directors cut is way to goddam long. studios must realize that unless there is extra violence we could care less about added dialouge. i dont. i want to see the original version that must have been a hell of a lot better. not to say this was bad. it was good. The legedary end saved it and brought it all together. basically its the gang members vs. 100 mexican guys with guns. truly a great shoot out and one of the ten best ever put to film, right up there with the climax to A Better Tomorrow 2. its that awesome. btw i rented this because John Woo said this was an influence and after watching it i can see why. great slow mo death scenes. watch the movie
Rating:
Summary: One scene sums it all up...
Review: This film has one of the most famous scenes ever to hit the cinematic screen, That scene is "the Walk". Clearly shows Peckinpah as a cinematic genius. It always leaves an indelible mark in my mind whenever I watch it. This movie is a 10!
Rating:
Summary: Best western of all time...
Review: ..."The Wild Bunch" is easily the best western of all time, with the most exciting climax to a film I've ever seen. In the final shootout hundreds of men are gunned down as blood spills out everywhere in glorious slow motion. This shootout is well beyond anything directed by John Woo or James Cameron. SEE THIS MOVIE...highest possible recommendation!
Rating:
Summary: A great DVD purchase...
Review: Western film fans are quite familiar with "The Wild Bunch," Sam Peckinpah's classic. However, since it was released some thirty-two years ago and is seldom seen even on cable, younger viewers may not be familiar with this landmark film. As you've seen above and below, "The Wild Bunch" is highly recommended by nearly everyone. I've always found the film especially fascinating because of the unusual characters, particularly the weird villians chasing the "wild bunch" into Mexico. Some of the strangest characters ever seen in any "adult" western. The documentary included on the DVD is especially interesting, going into considerable detail about director Sam Peckinpah's role in the film's creation and the movie's historical significance. The documentary makes excellent use of black and white film and stills taken in Mexico during the film's production. "The Wild Bunch" is certainly not for younger viewers and the documentary is also R-rated for language, the f-word. Extra features include fairly detailed biographies of the cast and supplementary/complimentary production notes. "The Wild Bunch" on DVD is a good "collector's" item.
Rating:
Summary: The Uber-Western!
Review: What more really needs to be said about this movie? It is a great western, and what makes it great is all the talent that converges here: Peckinpah, William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, Robert Ryan, and a really whacky, cackling, spittin'-and-a-droolin' Edmund O'Brien (as Sykes--watchers of old movies probably won't recognize him in this role. He's been in a gazillion movies. He played Vic Pardo in Cagny's White Heat). The story is well-known. Holden plays Bishop, who leads a gang of aging bad guys out for "one more heist." From beginning to end, things go other than expected, testing the loyalty of the men to one another. Despite the extreme violence that frames this movie, it is not so much a movie about violence (the way, say, Peckinpah's Straw Dogs arguably is) but about friendship and fidelity. Much of this movie will appear to move rather slowly to anyone expecting the initial violent pitch of action to be maintained throughout. A thoughtful movie, beautifully acted and photographed. A must-see.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest climaxes in film history!
Review: 'The Wild Bunch' definately goes down in history as one of the greatest films of all time. Truly ahead of it's time, this film was one of the best that focused on antagonists as the main characters. Not to say that Pike(William Holden), Dutch(Ernest Borgnine) and the others are all that bad; there just not what you'd call the good guys. In an age of trash scripts and violence for violence sake, this film was a breath of fresh air for me. I'm glad I bought this classic! This is one of only a handful of films which actually made me sit up and cheer. I'm talking of course specifically about the wild shoot-out scene near the end of the picture. I had naively given 'The Matrix' the nod for best shoot-out scenes, but this film obviously stands out among the rest. An awesome movie!
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