Sam Peckinpah's West

"Dismissed by critics and vilified for his violent vision of the American West as presented in films such as The Wild Bunch and Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, the artistry of Sam Peckinpah's work was largely ignored in his lifetime. In recent years, however, Peckinpah has reemerged as a distinctive voice in American film. Here, eleven scholars approach this controversial director's oeuvre with an eye toward his minor films, touching on themes and characters previously overlooked and linking his vision to America's literary and historical traditions. These insightful essays assure us that Peckinpah's work will not be forgotten again."--Jacket.