An aging Pat Garrett (James Coburn) is hired by wealthy New Mexico cattle barons to track down and eliminate his old friend, Billy the Kid (Kris Kristofferson).
Directed by Sam Peckinpah and written by Rudy Wurlitzer, this 1973 revisionist Western features a star-studded cast, including Richard Jaeckel, Katy Jurado, Chill Wills, Barry Sullivan, Jason Robards, Slim Pickens, and Bob Dylan. Filmed on location in Durango, Mexico, the movie is notable for Dylan’s haunting score, highlighted by the iconic "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Original Score Album.
The film’s production was fraught with conflicts between Peckinpah and MGM, leading to the release of a heavily re-edited, truncated theatrical version. It was completed 21 days behind schedule and $1.6 million over budget.
In 1988, Turner Home Entertainment restored Peckinpah’s preview version, sparking a reevaluation of the film, now considered a lost masterpiece. This presentation features the "Turner preview cut" with additional scenes reinstated, including Garrett’s wife and the full use of Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven’s Door," aligning with Peckinpah’s original vision.
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Written by S. P. Buonocore
Video and Audio Enhancements by S. P. Buonocore