Peckinpah: A Portrait in Montage - The Definitive Edition: 50 Years After The Wild Bunch from the Writer Who Knew Him Best

By Garner Simmons

Book Overview

It all began in the summer of 1973, when the author--then a young man fresh out of film school--traveled to Mexico in pursuit of the man behind a list of motion picture masterpieces that include "Ride the High Country", "Major Dundee", "The Ballad of Cable Hogue", "Straw Dogs", "Junior Bonner", "The Getaway", "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid", and the classic western epic that revolutionalized the face of global cinema, "The Wild Bunch". Simmons' seminal 1982 biography of Sam Peckinpah, published by the University of Texas Press and updated in the 1998 Limelight Editions release, is central to this current edition. With more than 100 pages of additional material and photos from the author's private collection providing even greater in-depth analysis of the director's films, this edition looks back on "The Wild Bunch" five decades after its theatrical release to gauge its lasting impact on filmmakers who have followed in Peckinpah's footsteps. Beyond the creative analysis in this new edition, Simmons shares with the reader his personal reflections of the man, the myth, and the legend he came to know as mentor and friend. More than mere biography, more than a mere recitation of events in the life of extraordinary filmmaking talent, this book provides a deep understanding of Hollywood's movie-making process. As such, it serves as both inspiration and cautionary tale. One cannot presume to have an appreciation of American Film without reading what the author shares within these covers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1079792333
• ISBN13: 9781079792331
• Release Date: July 2019
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 428 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

PECKINPAH by Garner Simmons

I'm a person who reads for information 98% of the time. If a book does not bring my level of education up a notch from when I started, I put it down, usually before I finish it. I have long been drawn to the adventure films of Sam Peckinpah, and like most Americans, I think, have an interest and curiousity concerning the Motion Picture Industry. In Mr. Simmon's book, "Peckinpah, A Portrait in Montage", I found his forthright honesty refreshing, and his attention to detail very commendable. Beginning his work in the historical period before Sam's birth in northern Calif., Simmons gives us an intrieging look into the life and customs of the rough and tumble times that shaped the pioneer spirit of his family, thus shaping and molding Sam into becoming the man he was, and which his pictures reflected. The book travels from there to picture after picture, recounting each one as a separate episode complete with both sucesses and failures. For me, it was a facinating look at the process which brought some of my favorite movies, such as "The Wild Bunch" & "Major Dundee", to the screen. Simmons does not pull punches, and makes no attempt to idealize, or grandise Peckinpauh beyond the truth. His human faults and imperfections are evident as they are in us all, and are so portrayed. Mr. Simmons even goes so far as to critize himself for the mistakes he made in putting his work together. I can't help but admire that. In conclusion......"Peckinpauh, A portait in montague", fits my criteria completely as a very fine historical and biographical work. Well written and honestly presented, I have learned a great deal about a man whose work I have long admired AND about the internal work'ns of an industry long shrouded in mystery [for me anyway]. Carl R. Dillenback

Solid and fair-minded.

This is the kind of bio that should be written about every important film director. Simmons is just detached enough to be objective, but not cold and removed so as to miss the color and flavor of this remarkable man. Highly reccommended for all interested in films - not just Peckinpah geeks. Someone should get this guy to do a series of books on directors.

Great Peckinpah biography

This is one of the first and best Peckinpah's biographies. Written a few years before his death but with a new preface and postscript it is a superb account about the life and films of Sam Peckinpah. Garner Simmons talked to many friends, family, actors and producers to make this a wonderful readable experience.If you are in the films of Sam Peckinpah get this book!

Peckinpah - just the facts

Peckinpah, written by Garner Simmons and published by the Universtity of Texas Press in 1982,is a no-nonsense, non-opinionated look at the life and work of director Sam Peckinpah. The first few chapters are devoted to his early life: parents, childhood, growing up, early TV work, etc. The rest of the book is presented in a movie-by-movie format, with one chapter being devoted to each film. The chronological discussion of each film pays great attention to detail form pre to post production. Lots of good insight from cast and crew members help make this book really special! There is little info on Peckinpah's final film, "The Osterman Weekend", as it had not been released at the time of this book's publication. The book is dedicated to the memory of Jerry Fielding, the extremely talented composer who worked with Peckinpah on several films.