Sam Peckinpah

RE*AC*TOR

Saw the Osterman Weekend a couple of nights ago (dvd rented from laser in ranelagh). Interesting movie - a bit confusing but nonetheless entertaining and quite memorable. I found out it was Sam Peckinpah's last movie - and apparently one of his worst (some would disagree). The only other movie i'd seen by him up to that point was Convoy (as a kid). At the time I enjoyed that - but I also enjoyed he-man then.

So rented Straw Dogs last night - excellent movie (Dustin Hoffman stars). There's a lot of similarity to be drawn between the two. Peckinpah uses a lot of slow motion in fight sequences - can be quite tense. Both involve scenes of a house in isolation in the dark being attacked.

Both films were excellent - Straw Dogs is probably the more complete package - but Osterman has a lot more style. Any other Peckinpah recommendations? I noticed The Killer Elite in laser...

leeroybrown

The Wild Bunch

A very violent western and a favourite of mine.

A full listing of his work off IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001603/

sleepwalker

Cross of Iron - one of the greatest WW2 films ever made
Wild Bunch - very violent and innovative western
Straw Dogs - which youve already seen


there the 3 films of his that I have seen, thought they were all brilliant. im sure that Laser would have a copy of Cross of Iron if not you can get it for under 15 quid on DVD in HMW/Golden Discs/Virgin in town

RE*AC*TOR

Funny story - actually rented The Wild Bunch a long time ago and watched maybe 2mins of it before becoming interested in something else and I ended up not watching it. :dunno:

gandalf

Fav Sam film is Cross of Iron followed closely by The Wild Bunch. Brilliant Director

Archvillain

and what about Ride the High Country... a total masterpiece, not least visually. I think he kinda fell apart towards the end of his career though.
I also saw straw dogs not long ago, I liked it a lot but was a little disappointed. I hate it when you expect too much just because you know the director's great...

mike65

I've seen most Peckinpah movies at this stage and they all have something to recomend them (even Convoy if your drunk!)

I'd say search for The Ballad of Cable Hogue (a comedy!)
Ride the High Country (AKA Guns in the Afternoon), Junior Bonner and Cross of Iron.

His groovy cross cutting with slow motion was what first caught my eye and I just liked his Olde Worlde "a mans gotta do what a man gotta do" attitude in an era when that sort of thing was becoming very un PC.

Mike.

Karl Hungus

Originally posted by sleepwalker
Cross of Iron - one of the greatest WW2 films ever made
Wild Bunch - very violent and innovative western
Straw Dogs - which youve already seen

I'd definetly agree there... great films altogether.

Chad ghostal

If you live in cork the wild bunch will be coming to the kino for a showing, its on at an awkward time as far as i can remember, but its well worth it. one of my favorites.

ride the high country and iron cross are also excellent.
...as has been said.

neXus9

Is straw dogs banned over here?? You canget it in play.com, but havn't seen it in any shops over here.

Senor_Fudge

straw dogs isnt banned over here afaik
u can get it in red light records in galway on shopstreet seen it lately

yellum

Originally posted by Chad ghostal
If you live in cork the wild bunch will be coming to the kino for a showing, its on at an awkward time as far as i can remember

Noon on Saturday and Sunday. Great movie it is. As a kid I think I watched Convoy about 15 times in two weeks. (no other vids in the place I was staying)

Retr0gamer

Got Cross of Iron for a tenner in HMV. Can't wait to watch it.

patch

Bring Me the head Of Alfredo Garcia
....is a great revenge flick starring Warren Oates.
The Killer Elite is in xtravision for 8.50 at the minute. Well worth a watch, but I remember it being fairly dated.

nlgbbbblth

I've seen all of Sam's films and have to say that he was one of the best directors around

favourites would be

The Wild Bunch
Straw Dogs
Cross Of Iron
Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia
Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid

while
The Getaway
The Killer Elite
Ride The High Country
Major Dundee
Junior Bonner
The Ballad Of Cable Hogue
Convoy

are pretty cool

The Deadly Companions and The Osterman Weekend would be his weakest but still have their moments

stereoroid

I just watched Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, which was on TV a few night ago.

Shocking stuff with some oddball humour thrown in (Crabs!), and I can see where Quentin Tarantino got some of his ideas from. Bennie is the very definition of an anti-hero. The final scenes... cold. Just cold.

"If you can keep your head, while all about you are losing theirs..."

mike65

Its a strange one - probably his oddest film in terms of tone.

It should be noted Peckinpah was frequently drunk.

Mike.

mike65

mike65 wrote: »

It should be noted Peckinpah was frequently drunk.

He was an inspiration to many for his work ethic while intoxicated.

stereoroid

Reading Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" review, he says that Peckinpah called this is most personal film:

I did 'Alfredo Garcia' and I did it exactly the way I wanted to. Good or bad, like it or not, that was my film.

MoominPapa

Orson Welles called Cross of Iron the best war movie about enlisted men.
Pat Garret and Billy the Kid is my favorite Peckinpah, beautiful movie.