Enjoyed this review and agree with you about the deep problems with Seydor's two versions of this film (you realize that the actor playing the coffin-maker is played by Peckinpah himself, right? If I recall correctly, he's completely excised from Seydor's previous version of the film, which is a pretty striking bit of arrogance, to remove the director from his own movie. He's put him back in as a token gesture, but only briefly). Loved what you say about "What you want and what you get," however (and quoted you in a blog review, which I hope you do not mind). That one omitted line wrecks what Seydor has done for me. I actually think the preview cuts sprawl too much, NEED the tightening, and in fact appreciate for the most part how the Seydor cuts play, EXCEPT for taking the most powerful line of dialogue from the film, the most direct expression of its theme, the best piece of WRITING in the film and snipping it. It's mind-boggling that this line has now been cut from at least THREE DIFFERENT VERSIONS of the movie, and it's even WORSE this time for Seydor, who surely knows that people disliked his choice here, having had a chance to re-instate it, then persisting in not doing so. It turns his versions of the film from "improvement" to "insult," repeats the arrogance, doubles down on the error... and it leaves us stuck with the preview cuts, sprawling and unfinished as they are, as the only respectful way to appreciate this film... Gahhh.
Thank you! And yes I'm always happy to be quoted. I totally get what you say about the preview cut, it's definitely 'unfinished,' though in the balance I think its 'sprawl' still feels of a piece with what the movie is doing/saying, versus the more incoherent choices of the Seydor cut. It's too bad. At least they're all out there for us to watch/compare.
Yeah! You know, I just watched the final preview cut, after your comments, and it's the best experience I've ever had with the film since I first saw it in the 1980s (theatrical cut, VHS). I was able to totally enter it. Maybe I was just primed and pre-disposed or maybe there are subtle differences between the Turner cut and the final preview that change my response to it, but I don't think I've ever felt closer to the characters. And there is even a moment in the film where you think maybe it's going to end with Billy getting revenge on Chisum for killing Paco; I don't recall ever thinking that before, that they were teasing you with the possibility of a very different ending... Anyhow, Final Preview Cut is now the way I'm going to watch this film forevermore.
Very much enjoyed this review. Good mixture of factual aspects of the different versions and the opinion and perceptions of the reviewer. I saw the original in the theater as a teenager and I have seen some "restored" version at some point. The thing that stands out to me is excellent way that Peckinpaugh portrays that transformation from the violent, lawless west to the modern age with tamed towns, rules, and accountability. Some of Billy's crowd are constantly on the run and in danger of getting killed, while former running buddies like Bell, have become citizens and lawmen, in some cases hunting their old friends. The nostalgic feeling for a glorious past that never existed is the inevitable result of the shifting paradigms of human progress. The death of Billy the Kid is the death of a dream in the face of inevitably.
Of the 3 on the Criterion release, I’d go with the Preview cut. It is the least artistically compromised version in the set, though as I note in the review, there are real trade offs to each. I think for a very first viewing you can’t really go wrong with any of the 3, though.
! … I do own the criterion and haven’t watched yet !! I was waiting for wife to join me.. we just haven’t watched yet .. but I will say .. I do want to see a version that has Bob Dylan singing the words Knocking on Heavens Door .. not the music only
Then you might want to jump to the 50th anniversary cut to start. As I argue in the piece, I think it has major problems, but only in comparison to the other edits. It’s a version that gets you all the major scenes at least, and has the Bob Dylan vocals.
ok .. that’s what we are going to do .. appreciate your time .. and timing of writing as I have this criterion edition sitting by TV since it was released !
Inspired now .. will show my wife our exchange .. and then I myself will watch the other two on my own lol
I really appreciated this review, and completely agree. The 50th anniversary edition was a pretty restoration (really more than a restoration visually, with how much brighter many of the night scenes are compared to what we’re used to seeing). But they made a fatal error removing the film’s signature line - so the preview cut will remain my ‘go to’ version. A missed opportunity.
Enjoyed this review and agree with you about the deep problems with Seydor's two versions of this film (you realize that the actor playing the coffin-maker is played by Peckinpah himself, right? If I recall correctly, he's completely excised from Seydor's previous version of the film, which is a pretty striking bit of arrogance, to remove the director from his own movie. He's put him back in as a token gesture, but only briefly). Loved what you say about "What you want and what you get," however (and quoted you in a blog review, which I hope you do not mind). That one omitted line wrecks what Seydor has done for me. I actually think the preview cuts sprawl too much, NEED the tightening, and in fact appreciate for the most part how the Seydor cuts play, EXCEPT for taking the most powerful line of dialogue from the film, the most direct expression of its theme, the best piece of WRITING in the film and snipping it. It's mind-boggling that this line has now been cut from at least THREE DIFFERENT VERSIONS of the movie, and it's even WORSE this time for Seydor, who surely knows that people disliked his choice here, having had a chance to re-instate it, then persisting in not doing so. It turns his versions of the film from "improvement" to "insult," repeats the arrogance, doubles down on the error... and it leaves us stuck with the preview cuts, sprawling and unfinished as they are, as the only respectful way to appreciate this film... Gahhh.
Which I say at some greater length here, and quote you (with attribution): https://alienatedinvancouver.blogspot.com/2024/10/rip-kris-kristofferson-plus-pat-garrett.html
Anyhow, nice piece of writing.
Thank you! And yes I'm always happy to be quoted. I totally get what you say about the preview cut, it's definitely 'unfinished,' though in the balance I think its 'sprawl' still feels of a piece with what the movie is doing/saying, versus the more incoherent choices of the Seydor cut. It's too bad. At least they're all out there for us to watch/compare.
Yeah! You know, I just watched the final preview cut, after your comments, and it's the best experience I've ever had with the film since I first saw it in the 1980s (theatrical cut, VHS). I was able to totally enter it. Maybe I was just primed and pre-disposed or maybe there are subtle differences between the Turner cut and the final preview that change my response to it, but I don't think I've ever felt closer to the characters. And there is even a moment in the film where you think maybe it's going to end with Billy getting revenge on Chisum for killing Paco; I don't recall ever thinking that before, that they were teasing you with the possibility of a very different ending... Anyhow, Final Preview Cut is now the way I'm going to watch this film forevermore.
Very much enjoyed this review. Good mixture of factual aspects of the different versions and the opinion and perceptions of the reviewer. I saw the original in the theater as a teenager and I have seen some "restored" version at some point. The thing that stands out to me is excellent way that Peckinpaugh portrays that transformation from the violent, lawless west to the modern age with tamed towns, rules, and accountability. Some of Billy's crowd are constantly on the run and in danger of getting killed, while former running buddies like Bell, have become citizens and lawmen, in some cases hunting their old friends. The nostalgic feeling for a glorious past that never existed is the inevitable result of the shifting paradigms of human progress. The death of Billy the Kid is the death of a dream in the face of inevitably.
Thank you!!! Good points about the way the film shows that transformation. It’s very powerful.
so what actually is the best version to watch if you can only watch one?
Of the 3 on the Criterion release, I’d go with the Preview cut. It is the least artistically compromised version in the set, though as I note in the review, there are real trade offs to each. I think for a very first viewing you can’t really go wrong with any of the 3, though.
excellent well written piece btw
thank you
! … I do own the criterion and haven’t watched yet !! I was waiting for wife to join me.. we just haven’t watched yet .. but I will say .. I do want to see a version that has Bob Dylan singing the words Knocking on Heavens Door .. not the music only
ty again
Then you might want to jump to the 50th anniversary cut to start. As I argue in the piece, I think it has major problems, but only in comparison to the other edits. It’s a version that gets you all the major scenes at least, and has the Bob Dylan vocals.
ok .. that’s what we are going to do .. appreciate your time .. and timing of writing as I have this criterion edition sitting by TV since it was released !
Inspired now .. will show my wife our exchange .. and then I myself will watch the other two on my own lol
I'm translating the movie for another language. And I can't figure what "There's too much play in him" means. Could you shed me some light? Thanks
I really appreciated this review, and completely agree. The 50th anniversary edition was a pretty restoration (really more than a restoration visually, with how much brighter many of the night scenes are compared to what we’re used to seeing). But they made a fatal error removing the film’s signature line - so the preview cut will remain my ‘go to’ version. A missed opportunity.