In 1930, King Vidor directed the legendary film, Billy the Kid, distributed by the esteemed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film was based on the book The Saga of Billy the Kid by Walter Noble Burns, and shot using a revolutionary 70-mm wide-screen format called “real life.” Remarkably, the whole flick was also recorded concurrently with a 35-mm standard, making Billy the Kid the first talking film of its kind. In an effort to capture the wild west vibe, the production crew traversed the Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, and the Kit Carson cave in Gallup, New Mexico. They even journeyed to the Porter Ranch at the San Fernando Valley for additional location shots. The result was a breathtaking masterpiece that stands the test of time as a classic of the art form.

The director released two endings to the film. One ending was released in the United States and had Billy riding off while Garrett watched, smiling in satisfaction. However, in the version released in Europe, Billy met his demise at the end of Pat Garrett’s gun barrel. 
The film starred Johnny Mack Brown as Billy the Kid and Wallace Beery as Pat Garrett. It is a true classic that features some of our favorite characters in the Kid’s life. It’s fascinating to know that the director made changes to certain names in the film to respect the relatives who were still alive during filming, such as combining Bob Olinger and J.W. Bell to create Bellinger. Overall, this film is a must-watch and a testament to Vidor’s storytelling abilities.
The film depicts the story of Billy the Kid, who after assassinating the leader of his rival faction, was pursued and successfully apprehended by Sheriff Pat Garrett. Unfortunately, he escaped and in the process, took the life of Bellinger. Despite his attempt to flee to Mexico, Garrett managed to capture him once again. At this juncture, Pat was faced with a grave decision: should he execute Billy or release him back into the wild? Overall, this timeless movie about Billy the Kid is a must-watch for cinema enthusiasts.

The film premiered in February 2020 at the esteemed 70th Berlin International Film Festival, paying tribute to the distinguished career of King Vidor.