Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid

James Coburn has something of the Angel of Death to him in this rather pace-less but still quite enthralling story of these two men after they'd ceased being on the same side. His alter-ego here (Kris Kristofferson) is having some fun in New Mexico to the chagrin of some cattle ranchers and so they employ "Garrett" to come be their sheriff and settle things down. He warns his erstwhile buddy to skedaddle, but of course he doesn't and so a posse is formed to chase him out or track him down. With both men determined in their own way to never give in, a lethal denouement begins to look like it will be the only way to prove who's best. Coburn only ever really had one, very slow, gear - but his considered effort here actually starts to imbue his character with quite a bit of menace and counters engagingly with the more profligate, almost playboy, image offered of "Billy" by Kristofferson. There is plenty of action as the story sees the lawman hoover up some of the more undesirable elements of the now less "wild" west and that, in itself, is quite symbolic of changing attitudes amongst a more civilised and law-abiding community. Of course, it would not be complete without some early symbolism of corporate greed, and it soon becomes evident that the barons paying his wages have an agenda of their own. There's a solid supporting cast with veteran western stars Chill Wills, Jason Robards, Barry Sullivan (he's doing John Wayne's bit) and the always curmudgeonly Jack Elam keeping the thing characterful and authentic looking and then there's Bob Dylan. Why? Your guess is as good as mine as he brings very, very, little to his largely dialogue-free part. Indeed, were it not for frequent reprises of a his song - "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" proving quite appropriate, his presence would be completely superfluous to a gritty and thoughtful story that points to the end of an era.