Director Sam Peckinpah began his career with several western films before turning to the action genre. He is considered one of the most rebellious filmmakers of his time. Most of his films have acquired cult status. Apart from the films in this list, Peckinpah also made (short) westerns for television.
Peckinpah was the first director to stylize violence, make it 'beautiful', which some criticised about his work. He is perhaps the father of all action film directors. Hong Kong director John Woo is a great admirer of his work.
THE WILD BUNCH is generally considered to be his best film. Other excellent films of his (apart from the good ones) are RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY, STRAW DOGS and PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID.

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Filmography:

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956; coscr, act; based on The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney)
The Deadly Companions (1961; dir; based on the novel by A.S. Fleischman)
Ride the High Country (1962; dir, uncred coscr)
The Glory Guys (1965; scr; based on the novel by Hoffman Birney)
Major Dundee (1965; dir, coscr)
Villa Rides! (1968; coscr; based on the novel Pancho Villa by William Douglas Lansford)
The Wild Bunch (1969; dir, coscr)
The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970; dir, coprod)
Straw Dogs (1971; dir, coscr; based on a novel by Gordon M. Williams)
Junior Bonner (1972; dir)
The Getaway (1972; dir; based on a novel by Jim Thompson)
Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973; dir, act)
Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974; dir, coscr)
The Killer Elite (1975; dir; based on a novel by Robert Rostand)
Cross of Iron (1977; dir; based on the novel Das Geduldige Fleisch by Willi Heinrich)
Convoy (1978; dir)
China 9, Liberty 37 (1978; act)
The Visitor (1980; act)
The Osterman Weekend (1983; dir; based on a novel by Robert Ludlum)

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© Ron Altman (last update on 03/08/05)