Rating: Summary: VIOLENCE IN SLOW MO! Review: SIMPLY PUT,THIS MOVIE IS "EYE CANDY" FOR THOSE OF US WHO LOVE VIOLENT MOVIES.THERE'S NOT ONE MOVIE THAT I CAN THINK OF THAT HAS MORE VIOLENCE.THIS IS ACTUALLY REALISTIC,IN THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN THAT WAY AT THAT TIME.LAWLESS,ESPECIALLY THE SCENES IN MEXICO.YOU FEEL THE COMRADERY OF ALL CHARACTERS ESPECIALLY WHEN ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE AT THE END OF THE MOVIE.IF YOU FALL ASLEEP DURING THIS MOVIE,SOMEONE BETTER CHECK YOUR PULSE,BECAUSE YOU MUST BE DEAD!
Rating: Summary: The Wild Bunch Review: Although they were villains, they died valiantly fighting a greater evil when the Wild Bunch completely decimated the henchmen and operations of a thoroughly corrupt Mexican general whose only claim to fame was his ability to rake in money for himself and his cronies and the subjugation of common people. The Bunch save themselves for eternity by refusing to abandon a comrade and sending el General into the burning pits of hell. An outstanding movie.
Rating: Summary: The best western -ever Review: When I first saw "The Wild Bunch" in the theater in 1969, I sat through it three times. It was truly spellbinding and it took almost a quarter century before another western even came close. That movie is "The Unforgiven" by Eastwood.The wild bunch was so intensely violent and romantic that it made other so-called "good" westerns seem rather shallow. The aging-theme of the outlaws coupled with their loyalty to one another really revealed the humanity of the characters. There are so many profound statements and pivotal moments in the movie that it is spellbinding. One scene, where "Pike Bishop" played by William Holden says, "When you side with a man", you stay with him, if not you are no more than an animal" really encapulates the movie's theme. The film protrays ruthless, but not vicious men with a code of honor - in sharp contrast to most real life criminals who for the most part have no sense of honor. Enjoy, the Wild Bunch, the best western-ever!
Rating: Summary: one of the best films of all times Review: this movie is wonderful, many directors have tried to catch the feeling but failed miserably(except john woo). for the love of god never EVER see the pan and scan version, widescreen only. with pan and scan its like taking the film and splitting it down the middle. hell all of you should have DVD players by now. but if not, go widescreen.
Rating: Summary: Surprisingly boring Review: One should never confuse "first" with "best." Some reviewers seem to have done that. Peckinpah has put together a good movie, and was the first to put togather a "ballet of bullets." But other directors have done better. The movie is just too long and meandering; too many diversions from the theme. Interestingly, the scenes that stick in my mind are the mini-metaphor of the scorpions overcome by the ants, and the woman shooting one of the Wild Bunch in the back.
Rating: Summary: The Last Western Review: This film is set in 1913, and tells of the end of the 'Wild West' through the story of an aging gang of Desperados who bite off more than they can chew. Note the lack of 6-shooters, they are the weapon of an age that has passed. these men are armed with big, nasty shotguns and, at the end, a machine-gun. At one point they see their first car, and you just know that they are anachronisms who will never survive this new world. At the beginning, we see a group of children dropping a scorpion into an ants nest - when the scurrying ants overwhelm it, despite its strength and venom. At the end of the movie, the same thing happens to Pike,Dutch,Lyle and Tector, a superb piece of symbolic foreshadowing. A lyrical, beautiful, terrible masterpiece that explores themes of loyalty, honour, old age and the emptiness of the criminal lifestyle. See it.
Rating: Summary: The truest tale of the end of the American western life. Review: I have two versions of this movie. The first when it was first released and the 30th Anniversary Edition. I can truely say, that I have seen this movie at least fifty times and I never tire of it. It is a masterpiece of all times. If Peckinpah had died after he made this film, it would have been his greatest accomplishment as a film maker. I really feel that it "is" his greatest accom- plishment. Although his later films were very good, they really never attained the nortoriety that the 'Wild Bunch' received. Even noted actor, Charlton Heston had wished he had the opportunity to star in this film and to work with Peckinpah again. I would rate this film as Peckinpah's best work with the 'Far Country' second. Peckinpah understood the Western genre better than John Ford and that's a large shoe to follow. William Holden delivered his greatest performance and was at his peak in this movie and deserved not only an Oscar nomination but the Best Actor Oscar. He showed an ageing gunslinger with his facial features and his gruffiness that no other actor could have given as Holden's performance had shown. The longest walk is a Cinematic operatic masterpiece and that only Peckinpah could have accomplished. Other directors have tried to follow his style but have never come close to what Peckinpah was able to tell in this film. Peckinpah showed his audiences the real truth as to what really happens to a human being when they are hit by a bullet. You are literly thrown backwards and/or sideways when hit and his bloodletting spoke the truth as to what really happens. This movie is my all time favorite next to John Ford's, 'The Searchers' of which I believe to be his greatest work and John Wayne's greatest acting piece. You also can't deny the great acting of Ernest Borgnine and Robert Ryan and especially Edmond O'Brien and Ben Johnson. Peckinpah's later movies add's to this review as many of his stars continued to work with him and a way John Ford's actors continued in film after film. This alone tells you what his work meant to his cast. In my opinion, this movie deserves more than 5 stars!!!
Rating: Summary: Ok, interesting western. Review: A good attempt by an american filmmaker at a time when Sergio Leone's productions were the benchmark, and still are I believe. This is a movie about real people. High points are the casting on the Mexican side, the train robbery and most of the main protagonists. The bridge explosion seemed too artificial for my taste. Some excellent landscapes, the plot unfolded very well considering the director's improvisations. Having said all that, Sergio Leone, an Italian, remains the King of westerns. He is in a different league altogether.
Rating: Summary: An all-time great movie classic. Review: I wholeheartedly agree with mostly all the other reviewers who had given this a 5-star rating. Fellas! Watch this video one lazy Sunday with "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and you'll have a great time all day long. Trust me.
Rating: Summary: 10 Stars!!! Review: It's about 2 guys that are fighting the same battle against each other: Pike vs. Deke. A pair of "Has Beens" trying to make the final score. You just want them to hug and be friends again. But no! The director takes you, in every sense, to Hell, starting with the scorpions/ants and ending with complete destruction of everything. There is no escape for any of the characters. It extends the bounds of despair and self-loathing far beyond any film that I know. I thought the director's cut didn't add all THAT much to the experience. My reaction to the film remained the same after viewing both versions.
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