It could've had a better castI can't say that this is a classic western because of 2 problems.The first is the story.The movie starts out late in the Billy the Kid story and it fails to establish how Pat and Billy became friends.It gives no indication of what the relationship between Pat and Billy was really like.The second is the questionable casting of the movie.I'm sure that there was somebody better to play Billy than Kris Kristofferson.His performance lacks emotion and intensity.However,James Coburn's performance is the pinnacle of the movie.In my opinion,this is Coburn's best performance.Bob Dylan's part in the movie is meaningless,but his musical score is a masterpiece and it helps with keeping the movie alive.Submitted by Blake (Brandon,MS)Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
There was no soundtrack release for the film, but the music written for Billy the Kid makes its way onto the DVD here, including new songs from The Virgins (s“Fight to Survivea”) and Lissy Trullie (l“Billyn”). But the real music star of the film is the band KISS, one of Billya’s favorite bands (along with AC/DC). Part of Billyw’s attraction to the band is the makeup, which is kind of ironic given that Billy is metaphorically free of makeup. I think his attraction, like many adolescents, is more the confidence that rock bands like KISS exude. While playing guitar along to a“God of Thunder, ” all the pain of being a lonely teenager is gone for the moment.
Film Info 15-year-old Billy is the unique subject of BILLY THE KID, an intimate verite portrait by Jennifer Venditti. Venditti stumbled upon Billy while casting Carter Smith's BUGCRUSH. Intrigued by his eccentric wisdom and intuitive, pop-infused quips, Venditti traveled to Maine to capture moments from the precocious teen's everyday life.
BILLY THE KID is the coming of age journey of a teen outsider who meets obstacles with courage and determination. His outlook on life is shaped by his differences, and he struggles to embrace them. The film challenges viewers to look beyond labels and contemplate the future of a teen still in the process of becoming.
