The Nazi Western
I call this the Nazi western because it celebrates the camaraderie of violent criminals. In this it is similar to some Nazi entertainment movies of the thirties only substitute the military for violent criminality. In one or the other the protagonists find meaning in an otherwise meaningless world.
Peckinpah was an accomplished director, especially of actors, but his career foundered on his infantile, degenerate obsessions until he succumbed to drink and, I believe, drugs at an early age.
I agree with those who criticize the obvious overdone zoom shots. Also the final bloodbath, seen today (I saw the film in first release), is corny.