Estudios Churubusco Azteca
United Artists
Not part of a collection.
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
Why is his head worth one million dollars and the lives of 21 people?
An American bartender and his prostitute girlfriend go on a road trip through the Mexican underworld to collect a $1 million bounty on the head of a dead gigolo.
- Original title
- Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- $1,500,000
- Revenue
- $700,000
citizenerased
Sep 19, 2019 · via TMDB
Some of the works of Peckinpah had been on my watch list for months, sitting there in a subfolder of a subfolder. From the choice of Straw Dogs and Cross of Iron, I chose the aforetitled, liking the idea of embarking on a bit of a journey through Mexico with a gritty protagonist as we experience splatterings of violence and negotiate the thoughts of a down and out vagabond making a ran for his riches. The film left me with mixed feelings. I enjoyed the path of Benny, experiencing how his character is unwavering in his desire to take that last lucky ticket out of debauchery street, but didn't care much for his journey's partner. While I appreciated the dynamic of the relationship, the understanding they both had that they weren't in love with each other, but all they both had, the chemistry and dialogue didn't really resonate with me at parts. I actually was rather glad when this relationship came to its abrupt end as the film entered its final 3rd. On top of that, there was major issues with the sound which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the journey at times. I found myself feeling I was watching a caricature of a 70s movie now and again, as opposed to be engrossed in a gritty noir-esque adventure. But all in all, an enjoyable film which has left an impression. I always appreciate watching unpolished characters navigating circumstances plotted outside their usual courses, then watching how they deal with the inevitable implosion. From what I've read since, the film was one which perhaps accurately portrayed the director's life at the time of filming; dealing with various booze-infused demons. That rawness definitely shows, as does the inevitable imperfections in this movie's execution.
John Chard
Jun 28, 2014 · via TMDB
One man and his quest for meaning turns into a Peckinpah classic. El Jefe is outraged to find that his daughter has fallen pregnant to a man who has upped and gone, after learning the identity of the rascal (Alfredo Garcia), he offers one million dollars to anyone who can bring him the head of the Lothario running man. On the trail are hit men Quill & Sappensly, Bennie & his prostitute girlfriend Elita, and some other Mexican bandit types, all of them are on a collision course that will bring far more than they all bargained for. This was the one film where director Sam Peckinpah felt he had the most control, the one where we apparently get his own cut and not some chopped up piece of work from interfering executives. Viewing it now some 34 years after its release, it stands up well as a testament to the work of a great director. On the surface it looks trashy, we have homosexual hit men, grave robbing, potential rape, murders abound, prostitution, lower than the low characters, in short the film is awash with Peckinpah traits. Yet it would be a disservice to even think this film isn't rich in thematic texture, for the journey that Bennie, our main protagonist takes is one of meaning, he is a loser, but we find him on this quest to find not only fortune, but respect and love. It's a bloody trail for sure, but it has much depth and no little Peckinpah humour to push the film to it's bloody yet triumphant finale. Warren Oates is rewarded by Peckinpah for years of sterling work for him by getting the lead role of Bennie, and he grasps it with both hands to turn in a wonderful performance that splits sadness and vibrancy with deft of ease. Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia has a harsh quality about it, be it the violence, or be it the sadness of the characters, but what isn't in doubt to me is that it's harshness is cloaked in Peckinpah splendour. 9/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Warren Oates
Bennie
Isela Vega
Elita
Robert Webber
Sappensly
Gig Young
Quill
Helmut Dantine
Max
Emilio Fernández
El Jefe
Kris Kristofferson
Biker
Chano Urueta
Manchot
Donnie Fritts
John
Jorge Russek
Cueto
Chalo González
Chalo
Don Levy
Frank
Enrique Lucero
Esteban
Tamara Garina
Grandmother Moreno
Farnesio de Bernal
Bernardo
Armando Acosta
Waiter (uncredited)
Richard Bright
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Queta Carrasco
Market Vendor (uncredited)
Edith González
Blonde Child (uncredited)
Inés Murillo
Client at Roadside Stand (uncredited)
Gary Combs
Stunt Coordinator
Jesús Marín
Assistant Director
Sam Peckinpah
Director
Helmut Dantine
Executive Producer
Jerry Fielding
Conductor
Jerry Fielding
Original Music Composer
Isela Vega
Songs
Sam Peckinpah
Songs
Sam Peckinpah
Screenplay
Sam Peckinpah
Story
Catch the Black Sunshine
Ne pars pas
Macbeth
Once Upon a Time in America
Se7en
The Silence of the Lambs
Apocalypse Now
Gladiator
Papa
Amadeus
Dial M for Murder
Casino
Vindhya Rani
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Million Dollar Baby
Blade Runner
La Strada
Rebecca
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
Fargo
Dancer in the Dark
Freaks
All Quiet on the Western Front
Hotel Rwanda
Arsenic and Old Lace
Moulin Rouge!
Breaking the Waves
Eyes Wide Shut
Lucky Number Slevin
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Boys Don't Cry
Bad Education
Minority Report
The Promised Land
Leaving Las Vegas
Beverly Hills Cop
A History of Violence
Snow Cake
Strange Days
Mifune
Live Flesh
Sadhyam
The Science of Sleep
Batman Returns
The Villainess
Two Sons of Francisco
Ocean's Thirteen
Fiction.
The Other Side of the Wind
Crime and Punishment
48 Hrs.
The Boxer's Omen
Death Scream
Beverly Hills Cop II
Star Trek: Generations
The Girl He Met Online
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Murder in Monaco
The Interpreter
Secret Defense
24 Hours
Kala
The Hole
Mala Noche
White Rabbit
The Crooked Web
Saleem
Todo el llanto del mundo
The Blood Stain
Beverly Hills Cop III
R.I.P.D.
The Good German
On the Edge
A Crime
Snakes on a Plane
Love and Anger
Resurrection
Don't Look Back
The Hunched Donkey
American Scumbags
Preman: Silent Fury
Petit ami
Rain for a Dusty Summer
Her Private Affair
Furia asesina
International Prostitution : Brigade criminelle
Kôkô kyôshi: Shisshin!
Pendulum
Old Growth Murder
Match
La Vie Magnifique De Charlie
Puffer Rhapsody
The Murdaugh Murders
Untitled Jewish Film
Sommer i Tyrol
Tazza
The Legend of the Macocha Abyss
The Pharmacist
Hey Bear
Peanuts
Touch of Evil
Bonnie and Clyde
Man on Fire
Sicario
Hunting Season
The Getaway
Sexy Beast
Desperado
The Marksman
Colombiana
The Quick and the Dead
The Gauntlet
Truck Turner
El Gringo
The Way of the Gun
Foxy Brown
Hannie Caulder
Misdirection
Dead Man Down
A Man Apart
High Ground
The American
Blood for Dust
Domino
Dead for a Dollar
The Evil That Men Do
Aug 7, 1974
Los Angeles, California
Aug 14, 1974
New York City, New York
