Sam Peckinpah’s reputation as a filmmaker glides between that of a profound artist to an abusive misogynistic peddler of violence. His films were usually about outsiders attempting to survive or succeed in a grim and evil world. Style wise, he’s perhaps best known for his emphatic visual slow motion during action sequences which inspired its usage by other directors. Many of his movies were tainted by issues on and off the set, whether it be studio meddling or Peckinpah’s own temper or his drug abuse. Many of these final products received, at best, lukewarm reception; Peckinpah usually blamed his film’s box office troubles on his lack of control over the final cut. Such examples include ‘Major Dundee’ and ‘Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid’ which were panned on release, but gained in reputation with restored footage of special editions and director’s cuts. His wild lifestyle of alcoholism and cocaine use lead to poor health in his later life and an early death at the age of 59.

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