Requiem for Billy the Kid (2006) User Reviews

Fascinating documentary

[lastliberal · 6/10 · 1 June 2008]

This film seemed to head in one direction and then switched without a satisfactory explanation. That aside, it was a fascinating tale of a familiar character from the Old West.

Anne Feinsilber did a very good job directing this film and it makes on want to see her do more.

It started as an exploration of where and how Billy the Kid really died. Was it in New Mexico at the hands of Pat garret, as many believe, or was it as an old man in Texas. Neither side really wanted the answer known for economic reasons, so it was just dropped.

But the use of movies about Billy the Kid, old photos, and interviews with those who were aware of the past and those who were involved in the present in the competing towns made for a compelling tale of history and supposition.

Anyone who is interested in the Old West and the colorful characters that populated our history would be very interested in this film.

Response

[jmherr22 · 9/10 · 26 May 2008]

Great film, I really enjoyed the poetic flavor here. What was it at the end? Something about a rifle and him getting tired of switching it around, "there's no target on earth, and no purpose in heaven." Very well done. As for the Bush commentary, I think the movie hints that George Bush is not a complex man, just like Billy the Kid wasn't a very complex man either. And why would you assume that only people who understand Bush's supposed "complexity" are the ones who watch this movie. It was made by the French for heaven's sake, most of whom likely despise Bush at this point. The melancholy telling of end of an era, along with a parallel side story of present day happenings in the same location reveals much about the character and vitality of the West and its people.

Best doc about the American West

[tmcgonigle · 10/10 · 10 March 2008]

This is one of the best doc. about the West that I have seen. I love the tone and the time the director takes with her lingering camera on the faces of the people who tell their stories. I even like how she crosses Billy's story with Rimbaud... There is not a single hint of the usual sneering French irony when it comes to people of the actual United States... Even the negative comments of Rudy Wurlitzer about the trend in US history toward George W. Bush didn't really bother as I realized that probably only people who are favorably disposed to Bush or at least are prepared to admit the complexity of Bush as a man and as president are watching movies like this.

I hope the director will do another doc... remembering slowness is all. How about the Gunfight at the OK corral?