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Movie: The Wild Bunch (1969)William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan Star in Western Film
Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch blasted its way into movie theaters in 1969. William Holden, Ernest Borgnine and Robert Ryan starred in Hollywood's most violent Western.
The Wild Bunch elevated violence to an art form in 1969. William Holden starred as outlaw leader Pike Bishop, with Ernest Borgnine, Robert Ryan, Edmond O'Brien, Warren Oates and Ben Johnson in extremely bloody support. Count 'em: Over 90,000 rounds of ammunition were fired in the film! Screenplay, Director, MusicThe Wild Bunch was based on a short story by actor/stuntman Roy N. Sickner. Writing the screenplay were Walon Green and Sam Peckinpah. The Wild Bunch was directed by Sam Peckinpah (1925-1984), whose previous Western credits included Ride the High Country (1962) and Major Dundee (1965). Jerry Fielding created the music score. The Wild Bunch CastWilliam Holden received top billing as Pike Bishop. Other cast members included Ernest Borgnine (Dutch Engstrom), Robert Ryan (Deke Thornton), Edmond O'Brien (Freddie Sykes), Warren Oates (Lyle Gorch), Jaime Sanchez (Angel), Ben Johnson (Tector Gorch), Emilio Fernandez (General Mapache), Strother Martin (Coffer), L.Q. Jones (T.C.), Albert Dekker (Pat Harrigan), Bo Hopkins (Clarence "Crazy" Lee) and Dub Taylor (Reverend Wainscoat). Holden was not the original choice for Pike Bishop, with Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, James Stewart, Charlton Heston, Gregory Peck, Sterling Hayden, Richard Boone and Robert Mitchum all saying no. Considered for the role of Deke Thornton were Richard Harris and Brian Keith. Budget, Filming LocationsThe Wild Bunch was originally budgeted at $3.5 million, but that figure eventually ballooned to $6 million. The Wild Bunch was filmed in Durango, Parras and Torreon, Mexico. Filming Logistics, Props, CostumesThe Wild Bunch was filmed in 81 days and employed an array of props and costumes. The prop firearms used by Pike Bishop's wild bunch were of World War I vintage and included the Colt M1911 automatic pistol, the Winchester M1897 pump-action shotgun and the fearsome water-cooled Browning M1917 machine gun. Because of the bloody nature of the movie, seven identical costumes were made for each principal actor. Over 90,000 rounds of ammunition (all blanks) were fired in the picture. Shootout Scene, Bridge DemolitionThe climactic shootout scene was filmed over the course of 12 days. Over 10,000 squibs -- small charges used to simulate bullet hits -- were used. The most difficult scene to film was the bridge demolition over the Rio Nazas. Five stuntmen, paid $2,000 each, were assembled on the bridge and the explosive charges were detonated. Fortunately, the scene was successfully completed in one take using six cameras. If They Move, Kill 'EmSet in the fading American frontier of 1913, The Wild Bunch opens with Pike Bishop and his outlaw gang riding into town. Dressed as American soldiers, Pike and his boys rob the local bank at gunpoint. "If they move, kill 'em," Pike instructs his men during the holdup. While making their getaway, the gang is ambushed by Deke Thornton and his bounty hunters. Caught in the bloody shootout are a number of innocent bystanders who had been marching in a temperance parade. The Pike Bishop Gang later raid a U.S. Army train, stealing an array of guns and ammunition which they sell to a Mexican general for use in an ongoing civil war. The gang and the general have a falling out, resulting in a pitched gunbattle between the Americans and the Mexicans. The Wild Bunch Release, ReviewsThe Wild Bunch -- sporting a bloody body count of 145 -- premiered in Los Angeles on June 18, 1969. "Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch is by several thousand red gallons the most graphically violent western ever made, and one of the most violent movies of any kind," reported Charles Champlin of the Los Angeles Times (6/15/69). Academy Award Nominations, DVDThe Wild Bunch garnered two Oscar nominations: Best Music, Original Score for a Motion Picture and Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced. The Wild Bunch - The Original Director's Cut was released on DVD by Warner Home Video in 2006. "We've got to start thinking beyond our guns. Those days are closin' fast!" Pike Bishop tells his boys. Good idea, especially after the gang was left holding "the bag" following a bank robbery and shootout. Their take: canvas bags loaded with brass washers!
The copyright of the article Movie: The Wild Bunch (1969) in Film Westerns is owned by William J. Felchner. Permission to republish Movie: The Wild Bunch (1969) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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