Billy the Kid (1989) (TV)

User Rating:

6.0/10   

Director:

William A. Graham

Writer (WGA):

Gore Vidal (written by)

Release Date:

10 May 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Western

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Cast

Val Kilmer	...	William Bonney
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ed Adams	...	Posse Man
Rene Auberjonois
Andrew Bicknell	...	Tunstall
Richard Blake	...	Barman
Bing Blenman	...	Deputy Sheriff
Wilford Brimley	...	Gov.Lew Wallace
Julie Carmen	...	Celsa
Mike Casper	...	Ollinger
Jack Dunlap	...	Brady
Nate Esformes	...	Valdez
Tom Everett
Richard Glover	...	Beaver Smith
Robert Guajardo	...	Photographer (as Roberto Guajardo)
Will Hannah	...	Duli
Henry Max Kendrick	...	Dolan Henchman
Sidney Laen	...	Child
Patrick Massett	...	Tom
Kirk Nelson	...	Lieutenant
John O'Hurley	...	Dolan
Michael Parks
Billy Joe Patton	...	Peppin
Clark A. Ray	...	Mulligan (as Clark Ray)
Duncan Regehr	...	Pat Garrett
Albert Salmi	...	Mr. Maxwell
Ric San Nicholas	...	Bell
Sam Smiley	...	Hostel Clerk
Burr Steers	...	Billy Henchman
Ned Vaughn	...	Charlie
Tiny Wells	...	Cowman
Red West
Rich Wheeler	...	Carpenter

Also Known As:

Gore Vidal's Billy the Kid

Runtime:

USA:96 min (video version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | Iceland:16

Company:

Von Zerneck Sertner Films

Movie Connections:

Version of The Left Handed Gun (1958)

Must-see for Kilmer fans, very different character for Val!

The movie has the feel of a sort of made-for-TV B-movie. It's more drama than action, focusing primarily on the interpersonal interactions. But it gives an interesting perspective on Billy the Kid. I have no idea how historically accurate it might be, however.

Val Kilmer portrays Billy the Kid as a rather backwoods, laid-back country bumpkin. Unlike a lot of Val's characters which are portrayed intensely and over-the-edge, he shows a totally different side of his acting abilities.

Overall, I was rather positively surprised with the movie, expecting it to be intense, moody and aggressive. But it's not, at all. It's simply an enjoyably different portrayal of Billy the Kid, not an outstanding movie but enjoyable just the same. I'm giving it a 6 on the ratings, about low-average for my rating, but I'm glad I watched it. If you're a Kilmer fan, it'll give you a whole different view of Val's multi-talented acting.