Another in a line of “true stories” about Billy the Kid, this version gives us the reluctant rebel man of violence (Kris Kristofferson) and his doomed friendship to Pat Garrett (James Coburn). All action seems to take place under the watchful eye of a dime novelist (Bob Dylan). Billy could make it easy on everyone by simply going to Mexico and avoiding a conflict, but he is set on revenge for the death of a friend. With this act, he seals his fate. Found guilty and sentenced to hang, Billy endures the abuse of corrupt law enforcers after Pat takes him into custody. In a brazen break from the Lincoln County jail after he find a gun in the privy, he kills two guards and takes off. Governor Lew Wallace assigns Garrett the odious job of finding and disposing of Billy. To this end, he tracks the young outlaw down one night, but lets him finish his lovemaking before shooting the unarmed Billy in the dark. Mexican boys, sympathizers with Billy, throw rocks at Garrett when he leaves town the next morning.
