“The Wild Bunch,” a classic 1969 Western film called “one of the greatest films of all time” by the American Film Institute, is screening at Star Hall on Wednesday, April 3.
The film’s screening is in conjunction with an author discussion with W. K. (Kip) Stratton, courtesy of the Grand County Public Library, Center for the Book at Utah Humanities and the Utah Film Center.
With the 50th anniversary of the “The Wild Bunch” release approaching, Stratton said he began contemplating writing a book about the film’s director, Sam Peckinpah, and the making of the film.
Stratton said he first watched the film when he was 13, and even then, the film made a strong impression on him. Later, after the arrival of home videos, he began repeatedly watching Peckinpah films.
“I respected him as an artist,” Stratton said. “His greatest work was ‘The Wild Bunch.’”
Stratton signed a contract with his New York agent Bloomsbury, and began working in earnest on the book project five years ago.
“It was an interesting process,” said Stratton, who is based in Austin, Texas. “I spoke to a lot of people about their experiences in making the film. I had access to archival material in the Margaret Herrick Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences.”
His book, “The Wild Bunch: Sam Peckinpah, a Revolution in Hollywood, and the Making of a Legendary Film” was released in February.
The film changed forever how violence was portrayed in movies, he said. Up until that point, Hollywood-style gun fights were exaggerated and unrealistic.
Known for its violence, Stratton noted that “The Wild Bunch” was made during a violent era in the U.S. It was an era when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, Robert F. Kennedy was later killed and the Vietnam War was going on.
“One of the things that Peckinpah wanted to do,” Stratton said, “was to show what violence is really like” — hoping it would help to put an end to it.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., Stratton will spend about an hour discussing “The Wild Bunch,” talking about his new book, answering questions from the audience and signing book copies, which will be for sale at the screening. He will then introduce the film, and screening starts at 6:30 p.m.
The film’s narrative is described by the film industry as being about a gang of outlaws whose attempted train robbery goes awry. The gang flees to Mexico, falls in with a brutal general of the Mexican Revolution who offers them “the job of a lifetime.”
Conceived by a stuntman, with a blacklisted director, and shot in the Mexican desert, the film became an instant classic, according to publicists.
“It’s a really unique event and not like anything else we’ve put on before,” said Meg Flynn, head of adult services at the Grand County Public Library. “The movie was groundbreaking for its time.”
In his book, Stratton documents the contribution of Mexican and Mexican-American actors and crew members that helped make the film successful. The movie stars actors William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Edmond O’Brien and Robert Ryan.
Aaron Cance, owner of the The Printed Garden bookstore in Sandy, initiated the film screening and W K. Stratton author event after discovering on a publishers’ forum that Stratton was touring to promote his new book.
“I thought people would love to see it,” he said. “A lot of Westerns are shot in our state. It was a win for everybody. For the Utah Film Center and Utah Humanities, it’s great programming. The community gets a great experience, a unique evening out.”
The event is also supported by the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission and Back of Beyond Books.
Touring author stops in Moab with release of new book
“It’s a really unique event and not like anything else we’ve put on before. The movie was groundbreaking for its time.”
Wild Bunch: Sam Peckinpah, a Revolution in Hollywood, and the Making of a Legendary Film”
Where: Star Hall, 159 E. Center Street
When: Wednesday, April 3; Doors open 5:30 p.m. and the film starts at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Information: www.moablibrary.org
