On May 30th, 1941, the United States witnessed the release of the film Billy the Kid. Directed by David Miller and Frank Borzage, the movie featured Robert Taylor in the titular role of Billy the Kid. Taylor dedicated a significant amount of time to mastering the left-handed shooting techniques required for his portrayal of the infamous outlaw. Originally intended as a colorized remake of the 1930 adaptation based on the acclaimed novel The Saga of Billy the Kid, which starred Johnny Mack Brown, the 1941 film received mixed reviews upon its release. The narrative revolves around Billy’s efforts to rescue his friend from prison and seek vengeance following the murder of his employer. Filming largely took place in Arizona and Monument Valley, with a production budget of $1,411,000. Despite not achieving the anticipated box office success, the film remains a noteworthy entry in the Billy the Kid filmography, featuring intriguing details such as Taylor handling a revolver allegedly belonging to Billy’s collection, which was later determined to be a forgery.
Set against the backdrop of 1880 Lincoln, New Mexico, the film portrays William Bonney, known as Billy the Kid, a notorious gunslinger. Billy assists his friend Pedro Segura in escaping from incarceration, where he was wrongfully detained by the Sheriff. Initially, Billy works for the unscrupulous cattle baron Dan Hickey, who employs him to intimidate local farmers. Following a cattle stampede resulting in a farmer’s death, Billy experiences remorse and reconnects with his childhood friend Jim Sherwood, who has aligned himself with the principled rancher Eric Keating. Subsequently, Billy joins Keating’s ranch and develops feelings for Keating’s sister, Edith. After Keating’s untimely death (his horse is found riderless), Billy embarks on a path of retribution. Hickey attempts to manipulate Keating’s men and has Billy alongside another man, Tim Ward, imprisoned for “protection.” In a turn of events, Billy escapes, kills the sheriff, and confronts Hickey’s forces. The climax unfolds with Billy engaging in a gunfight with Jim Sherwood, strategically opting to use his right hand instead of his dominant left hand, ultimately allowing Jim to shoot him, which implies a form of “suicide by cop.”