SAM PECKINPAH
Name: David Samuel Peckinpah
Born: 21 February 1925 Fresno, California
Died: 28 December 1984 Inglewood, California
David Samuel "Sam" Peckinpah (February 21, 1925 – December 28, 1984) was an
American film director who achieved iconic status following the release of his
1969 Western epic The Wild Bunch. He became one of the major filmmakers of the
1970s through his innovative and explicit depiction of action and violence, as
well as his revisionist approach to the Western genre. Peckinpah's films
generally dealt with the conflict between values and ideals, and the corruption
of violence in human society. His characters are often loners or losers who
desire to be honorable but are forced to compromise in order to survive in a
world of nihilism and brutality. Peckinpah's combative personality, marked by
years of alcohol and drug abuse, has in many ways overshadowed his professional
legacy. Many of his films were noted for behind-the-scenes battles with
producers and crew members, damaging his reputation and career during his
lifetime. Several of his films, including Straw Dogs (1971), Pat Garrett & Billy
the Kid (1973) and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974), remain
controversial to this day.
Name: David Samuel Peckinpah
Born: 21 February 1925 Fresno, California
Died: 28 December 1984 Inglewood, California
David Samuel "Sam" Peckinpah (February 21, 1925 – December 28, 1984) was an
American film director who achieved iconic status following the release of his
1969 Western epic The Wild Bunch. He became one of the major filmmakers of the
1970s through his innovative and explicit depiction of action and violence, as
well as his revisionist approach to the Western genre. Peckinpah's films
generally dealt with the conflict between values and ideals, and the corruption
of violence in human society. His characters are often loners or losers who
desire to be honorable but are forced to compromise in order to survive in a
world of nihilism and brutality. Peckinpah's combative personality, marked by
years of alcohol and drug abuse, has in many ways overshadowed his professional
legacy. Many of his films were noted for behind-the-scenes battles with
producers and crew members, damaging his reputation and career during his
lifetime. Several of his films, including Straw Dogs (1971), Pat Garrett & Billy
the Kid (1973) and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974), remain
controversial to this day.