Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia

1974

1h 53m

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

400

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Action

Crime

Drama

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.

Directors

Sam Peckinpah

Writers

Gordon T. Dawson(screenplay by)

Sam Peckinpah(screenplay by)

Frank Kowalski(story by)

Stars

Warren Oates

Isela Vega

Robert Webber

See production, box office & company info

Top cast

Bennie

Elita

Sappensly

Quill

Max

El Jefe

Biker

Manchot

John

Cueto

Chalo

Frank

Esteban

Theresa

Grandmother Moreno

Bernardo

El Chavito

Dolores de Escomiglia

Directors

Sam Peckinpah

Writers

Gordon T. Dawson(screenplay by)

Sam Peckinpah(screenplay by)

Frank Kowalski(story by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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

John Chard28 Jun, 2014