Director Sam Peckinpah on Blu-ray

[DukeTogo84]

Since we have been doing this for actors/directors just figured I'd start one for what I consider to be one of the best directors, Sam Peckinpah. Just want to see what others think are his best films, which releases need new editions out, etc.

As a director:

[mca213]

I wonder whats missing ???

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by mca213

I wonder whats missing ???

Has to be THE DEADLY COMPANIONS.

When PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID finally get a Blu-ray, that will be a really great day. It's rumored to be with Criterion, but I don't even know where those rumors started.

[mca213]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Has to be THE DEADLY COMPANIONS.

When PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID finally get a Blu-ray, that will be a really great day. It's rumored to be with Criterion, but I don't even know where those rumors started.

Yep, it sure will be and yeah, I keep hearing Criterion this and Criterion that but, have not seen any proof whatsoever.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by mca213

Yep, it sure will be and yeah, I keep hearing Criterion this and Criterion that but, have not seen any proof whatsoever.

Yeah, I honestly wonder where this even came from. At this point, I'd be happy with a Warner Archive release. They have been doing amazing restorations of their films and have even released a few 2 disc editions.

One of the only reasons why I think it might be with Criterion is that I would imagine WAC would have released it by now.

[Dailyan]

The Criterion rumors of "Pat Garret and Billy the Kid" started when a bunch of Warner DVDs when OOP a few years ago, "Pat Garret and Billy the Kid" was included on the list, and Criterion has re-released quite a few (Barry Lyndon, A Face in the Crowd, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Klute, and The Philadelphia Story).

[RCRochester]

The Wild Bunch could use a remaster and I’ve avoided the Osterman Weekend because those screencaps look awful.

I’m also hoping that Arrow eventually bring their release of Alfredo Garcia to Region A.

Whether it’s Criterion or WAC, whoever releases Pat Garrett needs to include all three versions. I like the Turner cut but it annoys me that they don’t use the full vocals of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door. The song had significance in the scene where it was used and removing the vocals ruins the moment.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Dailyan

The Criterion rumors of "Pat Garret and Billy the Kid" started when a bunch of Warner DVDs when OOP a few years ago, "Pat Garret and Billy the Kid" was included on the list, and Criterion has re-released quite a few (Barry Lyndon, A Face in the Crowd, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Klute, and The Philadelphia Story).

Well, a bit reassuring that it might be coming. Hopefully, it's not too far out.

[tomahawk]

The Killer Elite from Twilight Time is the disc I regret not owning; not because the film itself is very good (it's not particularly) but because it contains the beautiful television film "Noon Wine" as an extra feature, which I do think is incredibly good. I believe this is the only commercial release it's ever gotten?

My favorites would be Ride the High Country, The Wild Bunch, Cross of Iron, and Alfredo Garcia. Luckily all have had stellar releases on blu-ray to date. I've never cottoned to Straw Dogs or The Getaway, personally.

[Dailyan]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I’m also hoping that Arrow eventually bring their release of Alfredo Garcia to Region A.

The Arrow release is dang good remaster. My only disappointment is that Arrow didn't do a new transfer for the mono track (it's the same master as the TT and it doesn't sound terrible but it could sound better) and how they subtitled inconsequential Spanish dialogue.

Originally Posted by RCRochester

Whether it’s Criterion or WAC, whoever releases Pat Garrett needs to include all three versions.

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Well, a bit reassuring that it might be coming. Hopefully, it's not too far out.

I wouldn't be surprised if the potential hold up (from either Criterion or WAC) was finding better elements for the multiple cuts.

Originally Posted by tomahawk

My favorites would be Ride the High Country, The Wild Bunch, Cross of Iron, and Alfredo Garcia. Luckily all have had stellar releases on blu-ray to date. I've never cottoned to Straw Dogs or The Getaway, personally.

My personal top 5:
1. The Ballad of Cable Hogue
2. Cross of Iron
3. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
4. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
5. The Wild Bunch

[SeanJoyce]

He's not among my favorites, but I certainly dig me some Bloody Sam.

I've been meaning to get Cross of Irons for a long time now, and been waiting longer for Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. I'm slightly annoyed at myself for missing out on TT's Major Dundee...not because it's particularly good (it's serviceable), but because that would have neatly rounded off my Peckinpah Blu-ray collection.

Beyond that, I despised The Killer Elite and have zero interest in Convoy or The Osterman Weekend.

One of my favorite 70s movies is Emperor of the North, and apparently Peckinpah was heavily involved in developing its screenplay before ultimately getting replaced by Aldrich. I love Aldrich and the film that we got, but I always wonder how Peck's version would have turned out.

Cheers

[balthazar_bee]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

Whether it’s Criterion or WAC, whoever releases Pat Garrett needs to include all three versions. I like the Turner cut but it annoys me that they don’t use the full vocals of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door. The song had significance in the scene where it was used and removing the vocals ruins the moment.

Absolutely agree about the necessity of including all three. Always been a favourite of mine, but I've never had the opportunity to see the theatrical cut. The Seydor cut nags at me: I like some things but feel like it's a bit too "I know what Peckinpah really wanted" revisionist in paring down the Turner version. But it got released, it has merit, and not including it would be a mistake.

But the Dylan song, as much as I love it, seems to work better without the lyrics. They're simply too on-the-nose, and the scene itself is so, so powerful and vivid on its own. The acting tells the tale. It might be the best scene in the whole damned movie. Dylan's voice elbows in and takes one (me anyway) out of the moment.

This difference of opinion is probably the single most illustrative example of why all the cuts need to be included though; no need for either of us to be denied the version we want to see.

[DukeTogo84]

The Wild Bunch is my personal favorite and I'm surprised we haven't gotten a remaster. Still the current Blu-ray isn't horrible.

About 10 years ago, I went into a western frenzy and the ending to this one really warped my expectations for the genre. After that, I needed to check out every movie this man has made. I have yet to see The Killer Elite or the Osterman Weekend, but hopefully I'll be able to check those out soon.

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

Whether it’s Criterion or WAC, whoever releases Pat Garrett needs to include all three versions. I like the Turner cut but it annoys me that they don’t use the full vocals of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door. The song had significance in the scene where it was used and removing the vocals ruins the moment.

I don't think the vocal was ever in that version. But hopefully the scene with Garrett's wife could be restored, as I'm pretty sure that was in Peckinpah's personal print (but never in the video transfers of it).

I don't mind the 2005 cut as much as some, but it would definitely be nice to have all three.

To me, this movie is a little like Legend or Superman II. There's no "perfect" version, but seeing all the ones that have been presented at one time or another gives you some interesting insight into the making of it.

[mrjohnnyb]

Hey, you forgot this:


https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-D...lu-ray/173207/

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by mrjohnnyb

Hey, you forgot this:


https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-D...lu-ray/173207/

Added.

[mediocre]

Really love a lot of his films, and hate a couple as well. And am always fascinated to hear stories about the man himself. I'm actually reading a great book on the making of The Wild Bunch by W.K. Stratton right now. Highly recommended.

Top 5:

1. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
2. The Wild Bunch
3. The Ballad of Cable Hogue
4. Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid
5. Straw Dogs

[ShellBeacher]

Humbly admitting I have yet to see 'Pat Garrett & BTK.' I was half-tempted to pick up the DVD recently just to catch up, but I'm also willing to wait...it has to come sometime, doesn't it? Which version is on Amazon Prime? Theatrical?

The issue must surely be in finding the best-available film materials. Or perhaps Criterion's typical slow buildup, if they have it... I don't think it's music rights/issues, going by how Dylan and his people seem to treat his legacy:

https://variety.com/2015/music/award...ng-1201421781/

[tallrichard]

My top 5 would be:

The Wild Bunch
Straw Dogs
Ride The High Country
The Getaway
The Ballad of Cable Hogue

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

I've been meaning to get Cross of Irons for a long time now, and been waiting longer for Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. I'm slightly annoyed at myself for missing out on TT's Major Dundee...not because it's particularly good (it's serviceable), but because that would have neatly rounded off my Peckinpah Blu-ray collection.

There are foreign versions though, like Sony themselves released it in a few European markets.

Originally Posted by SeanJoyce

Beyond that, I despised The Killer Elite and have zero interest in Convoy or The Osterman Weekend.

Honestly, I said earlier that I avoided the blu-ray of the Osterman Weekend because the PQ looks terrible, but I wouldn't have bought it anyway. It has a great cast but the film itself is a total and often incomprehensible mess.

Convoy is not a great film either but it is a fun one if you like late 70s trucker comedies. Ernest Borgnine is always great value for my money.

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

The Wild Bunch is my personal favorite and I'm surprised we haven't gotten a remaster. Still the current Blu-ray isn't horrible.

It's not horrible, but the last time I watched it I was surprised at how processed the image looked.

Originally Posted by ShellBeacher

The issue must surely be in finding the best-available film materials.

I seem to remember reading in a few places from reliable sources that this is the issue with it.