MovieChat Forums > The Wild Bunch (1969) Discussion > They don't make 'em like this anymore

They don't make 'em like this anymore

posted 10 years ago by silentmovie
9 replies | jump to latest

Just watched it again last night (uncut, wide-screen) on TCM. I remember seeing it in the theater when it first came out in 1969. I like it better now than I did when I first saw it.

When I re-watched it last night it occurred to me that there was no CGI. It was just filmed with sets and horses and wagons and trains and dusty desert landscapes -- and best of all, VETERAN ACTORS, macho men from old Hollywood, slightly over the hill, back together for one last gig, just like the characters in the story.

I was thinking -- if they re-made it today, who would they get to play the parts? The pretty-boy metrosexuals we now have in the movies? Would they look uncomfortable in their western costumes riding horses? Would the story be all politically correct if were made to day? Probably.

Who do we have today that comes close to Holden, Borgnine, Ryan and the rest?

This is a classic that does not fade with time, it gets better. They just don't make 'em like this anymore.

[–] shepardjessica-1 10 years ago

Best western ever - My #11 film (all-time) - best performance = Warren Oates.

[–] Onetrickpony-1 10 years ago

Brace youself; there's a rumour on one of the other message threads that it IS being remade - with Will Smith as the main character.

One good thing about such a travesty, if it ever comes to pass - won't be wasting any time or money on it...

[–] ScopeWatcher 10 years ago

The low grosses on Smith's expensive last few pictures have left me relieved about whether Warner Bros. might actually makes fools of themselves by proceeding with that rumored remake.

That's proof that God is merciful!

Most great films deserve a more appreciative audience than they get.

[–] fredrick-ruf 9 years ago

JUST SAY NOOOOOOO!

[–] aceventura2013 9 years ago

"What are we? Some kind of a Wild Bunch." lol

[–] jeffslater2 9 years ago

They don't make em like this anymore because they can't. I don't think there isn't the actors out there who could come close to what the original cast did. And there isn't a director good enough to direct it. Saying that, The Wild Bunch should never be re made.

[–] gblorenzi 9 years ago

The Wild Bunch is one of my favorite westerns. It's a very good movie.
Today, some good options are:

Michael Keaton (Pike)
Gary Oldman (Thornton)
Ray Winstone (Dutch)
Michael Peña (Angel)
Jack Nicholson (Sykes)

I don't know, it's just an idea.

[–] gblorenzi 9 years ago

Tarantino or the Coen brothers are ideal to direct a remake of this movie. They have a similar style of direction and of movies directed of Sam Peckinpah.

[–] eddie_willers 9 years ago

It was just filmed with sets and horses

In the end credits, I was expecting to see: Very few horses were harmed in the making of this film.