The Films of Sam Peckinpah

by Neil Fulwood

A detailed look at both the films and the man. One of America's most intriguing directors of Westerns and films of violence, Peckinpah created a highly influential body of work, including Ride the High Country , Major Dundee , The Wild Bunch , Straw Dogs , and The Getaway . Illustrated with 50 stills, the book includes a biographical account of Peckinpah, including his early years in television, and a chronological examination of his films, placed in the context of their production and critical reception. There are fascinating accounts of Peckinpah's approach to film direction and on-set behavior, as well as of studio interference during editing. An analysis of the iconography of his films illuminates the director's recurring themes and preoccupations.

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2003

Reviews

[Kym Robinson]

As some one who grew up with the fortunate exposure to Sam Peckinpah's films, I found this book to be an interesting read full of various facts and trivia related to both the man, the players and the films themselves.

The book is filled with excellent photos which compliment the text nicely. The text itself is quite comprehensive giving a great deal of detail and explanation into much of the workings and intentions with the films of Peckinpah. It is filmed with script excerpts, anecdotes and quotes all the while adding to the well informed and knowledgeable narrative.

I think that this is a must read to any fan of cinema, especially the realistic feeling motion pictures of the late 1960s to the early 1980s.

73 %