‘Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid’ trailer title, 1973

Sam Peckinpah’s Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid rode into theaters just shy of 40-years-ago, in May of 1973. The film follows lawman Pat Garrett (James Coburn) who has been hired by cattle barons to take down his old friend, Billy the Kid (Kris Kristofferson). The cast includes; Jason Robards, Slim Pickens, Jack Elam, Richard Jaeckel and singer, Rita Coolidge. Bob Dylan plays a small role and provided the film’s soundtrack. “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” was originally written for the movie.

Bob Dylan as Alias in ‘Pat Garret and Billy the Kid’

Director Peckinpah battled with MGM executives over his vision for Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. The MGM money men won, taking the film away, re-editing and removing 20 minutes of footage. The version released was a critical and box office failure. 15 years later, Peckinpah’s cut of the movie was released and fared much better with critics, some hailing it as a classic.

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid Wiki, IMDb
Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid review at Every70sMovie

Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: Robert Shaw in ‘Swashbuckler’ (1976)