Gore Vidal's Billy the Kid

A Complex Outlaw Brought to Life

Val Kilmer delivers a standout performance as the young, impulsive Billy, a callow yet high spirited gunslinger whose illiteracy and youthful energy mask a sharp instinct for survival and loyalty. The story follows Billy’s transformation from a ranch hand seeking justice after the murder of his mentor, John Henry Tunstall, into a legendary outlaw entangled in gunfights, jailbreaks, and deadly confrontations. Vidal’s script portrays Billy not as a simple villain or folk hero, but as a multifaceted figure: charismatic and vengeful, loyal to friends, yet increasingly hardened by betrayal and violence.

The film excels in its exploration of key relationships, particularly Billy’s friendship with Pat Garrett (Duncan Regehr), which evolves into a tragic showdown, and his interactions with Governor Lew Wallace (Wilford Brimley). Supporting performances from Julie Carmen, John O’Hurley, Albert Salmi, and others add depth, grounding the narrative in the political intrigue and personal vendettas of the era. 

Gore Vidal’s connection to the Billy the Kid saga runs deep. As a child growing up in New Mexico, he studied the outlaw’s story in grade school. In 1955, he penned the teleplay The Death of Billy the Kid for the Philco Television Playhouse (Season 7, Episode 23), which starred a young Paul Newman in the lead role. That production proved influential, though rare and seldom seen today. It later inspired the 1958 feature The Left Handed Gun, also with Newman, though director Arthur Penn and others significantly altered Vidal’s vision, much to the author’s frustration.

32 years after his original teleplay, Vidal finally realized his definitive take with this 1989 production. The result is a more faithful and introspective adaptation that emphasizes historical context, moral ambiguity, and the blurred lines between justice and revenge in the lawless frontier.

With its gripping narrative, memorable characters, and high production values for a television film, Gore Vidal’s Billy the Kid remains essential viewing for Western enthusiasts and students of American frontier history. It humanizes the legend without romanticizing the violence, offering a thoughtful meditation on fame, loyalty, and the making of an outlaw. Whether you’re drawn to Val Kilmer’s magnetic performance, the sweeping landscapes, or Vidal’s sharp historical insight, this film leaves a lasting impression of the American West’s turbulent spirit.
For fans of Billy the Kid, it’s a worthy addition to any collection, capturing the essence of the Kid’s world with authenticity and drama. Highly recommended!