The Wild Bunch

The bloodiest western in cinema history – a film that shattered the myth of Hollywood’s most beloved genre. Sam Peckinpah’s legendary, masterfully edited, virtuoso display of filmmaking perfectly captured the countercultural spirit of the late 1960s. For some, this shocking film was to blame for the wave of cinematic violence that swept through the screens in the following decade; for others, it became a turning point for American cinema and a template for cinematic rebellion embraced by future generations, with Quentin Tarantino leading the way. Peckinpah crafts an anti-myth, a subversive reversal of Rio Bravo or The Magnificent Seven, populating his story with all manner of criminals and outsiders. The Wild West here is a place where justice bows before corruption, greed, and the thirst for revenge. The plot itself is relatively simple – one gang, led by Deke Thornton (Robert Ryan), is hunting down another, headed by Pike Bishop (William Holden, playing against his usual clean-cut image). There are no brave, lone sheriffs fighting at high noon – everyone is dirty, corrupt, and willing to do anything for a fistful of dollars. Peckinpah’s fascinating nihilism and his formal audacity come together most spectacularly in the iconic shootout scene, which still delivers a gut punch even today.

Marcin Pieńkowski

Sam Peckinpah (1925–1984) was an American director and screenwriter known for his revolutionary approach to violence in cinema. His career gained momentum in the 1960s, as evidenced by films such as Ride the High Country (1962) and The Wild Bunch (1969). Peckinpah earned critical acclaim for his realistic depiction of violence and complex character portrayals, although his work often sparked controversy.

section partner