Sam Peckinpah, the master of ultra violent stories about mercenaries and outlaws, sends Warren Oates on a journey into the heart of darkness. The result is nothing short of a masterpiece: What an amazing film full of unexpected turns, totally messed-up characters and fantastic performances. Was way ahead of its time and should be re-discovered by as many film fans as possible. 9 stars out of 10.In case you're interested in more underrated masterpieces, here's some of my favorites: imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

This is the only movie directed by Sam Peckinpah where he had final cut and did not have any studio post production tinkering (thought after the success of "The Wild Bunch" he was offered and declined a chance to re-cut "Major Dundee"). Interestingly, "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" is probably one of Peckinpach's most divisive films among his fans. A masterpiece to some and an indulgent mess to others. I fall in line with the former and believe Garcia stands right alongside "Ride the High County" and "The Wild Bunch" as arguably Peckinpah's best film (though there is something so personal and autobiographical about "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" that I very nearly want to call that a masterpiece as well). But to this film in particular, Peckinpah stock company regular, the great Warren Oates, plays a south of the border lounge piano player who hears about a rancher/underworld figure who is offering a million dollars for the head of Alfredo Garcia for impregnating his daughter. Oates' prostitute girlfriend knows that Garcia is already dead and where he's buried, so she and Oates set off on a cross country trip for an easy payday. However, the trip is anything but easy, when the pair encounter biker gangs, rapists, hit men, and other assorted nastiness. It is not hyperbole to say this film is a pretty rough Grand Guignol. Oates commands the screen as an on the edge character, himself adopting many characteristics of the director, and again proving how badly he should have been given more leading roles. But as I said earlier, if this film divides Peckinpah fans it is certainly not going to please most general audience members and more likely than not will be unbearable for most viewers. There's not a lot you can compare this film to, but I suppose if you enjoyed (although that's really not the right word) "Straw Dogs" or maybe something like "The Devil's Rejects," you might find this film equally rewarding.

Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia is an excellent,powerful and unforgettable classic that combines terrific direction,a fantastic performance from Warren Oates,thrilling Action and a memorable film score. All of those elements make Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia an underrated classic,a Cult film that is Sam Peckinpah and Warren Oates at their best.Set in Mexico City,Mexico,Bring The Head Of Alfredo Garcia tells the story of bar manager and piano player Bennie(Warren Oates)who has been hired by hit men to bring the severed head of Alfredo Garcia on a one 1 million dollar bounty. Bennie,along with his girlfriend Elita(Isela Vega)heads on the road to get the head on a violent and bizarre journey.Released in 1974,Sam Peckinpah's Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia is a brilliant film that was a Box Office flop and was hated and panned by the critics at the time. But years after it's release Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia has been rediscovered by audiences and film critics and has become a Cult classic and is seen as one of Sam Peckinpah's best films and next to The Wild Bunch is seen as Peckinpah's most powerful and infamous film. Violent,brutal and done with a vicious mean streak Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia is an amazing film that is a combination of an Action-Thriller,Horror film,Western and character study in the highest order and from beginning to end punches viewers in the gut with intensity and power that never stops and never gives viewers any hope or happiness. With Alfredo Garcia Peckinpah pulls out all the stops and gives viewers a movie that doesn't play by the rules and shows us a world where violence and death is the only way out with an over the top,crazy and bizarre energy that exists in this film and you will be glued to the screen. Alfredo Garcia is also one of the darkest and most nihilistic movies of all-time and probably the darkest film Peckinpah ever did because there are some moments in the film that are shocking and will disturb people and Peckinpah isn't afraid to go over the line whether it's dealing with some of the characters or the storyline and the tone is very bleak. I guess that's one of the reasons why this movie isn't for everybody and critics have been divided on the film since it's 1974 release some critics love it say it's a classic or a masterpiece while others hate call it one of the worst films ever made. While Alfredo Garcia was set in the modern day world of 1974,the movie is truly a Western where there is a lot of dust and dirt capturing the harsh and gritty Mexico landscape and there are outlaws and criminals in a lawless land where criminals,money and violence rule the streets. You can almost say that Alfredo Garcia was one of the first modern day Western and that this movie was Peckinpah's swan song with the Western genre. The main character Bennie is a classic and iconic Sam Peckinpah character(Bennie is almost like a fiction version of Sam Peckinpah) because like most of the characters in Peckinpah's films Bennie is seen as a loser and a guy that is down on his luck but is still tough and gritty. When Bennie gets the opportunity to get a million dollars for Alfredo Garcia's head we follow Bennie's journey and obsession with trying the get the head and the money no matter what it costs while trying to get one last chance at winning. While Bennie isn't a likable or heroic character in the traditional sense we relate to as things begin to fall apart all around him. Despite Bennie's unlikable qualities the scenes with his girlfriend Elita bring some humanity and depth to his character. Bennie is a wonderful character that anchors the film and is a character you will never forget. The Action and violence in Alfredo Garcia is amazing and classic Peckinpah with tons of gunfights and shootouts that are fast or in slow motion to make an impact. The ending to Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia is amazing,powerful and truly matches the film's dark and pessimistic tone. An outstanding ending.The cast is great. Warren Oates is excellent,unforgettable and at his best as Bennie,with Oates being intense,raw and real. Isela Vega is terrific and beautiful as Elita,Bennie's girlfriend with Vega having great chemistry with Oates. Robert Webber(Sappensly)and Gig Young(Quill)are wonderful as deadly hit men. Kris Kristofferson is outstanding as a Biker that meets Bennie and Elita. Emilio Fernandez is sensational as El Jefe(The Boss),a Mexican Gangster and crime lord.The direction by Sam Peckinpah is fantastic and gritty with Peckinpah giving the film an atmospheric and stunning look and always moving the camera and using slow motion to great effect. Amazing direction,Peckinpah.The score by Jerry Fielding is incredible,intense and beautiful and matches the movie perfectly. Great score,Fielding.In final word,if you love Sam Peckinpah,Warren Oates,Action-Thrillers or Cult films I highly suggest you see Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia,an excellent,powerful,unforgettable and underrated classic that will stay with you after you watch it. Highly Recommended. 10/10.

Film starts promisingly enough , as the story takes place in the Mexican frontier with the U.S. , in 1974 . The Mexican baron land dubbed "The Boss" (Emilio Fernandez) to be aware his teenage daughter "Teresa" is pregnant , and he offers a reward : to take the head of Alfredo Garcia , a former employee . It is concerned by two American bounty hunters , "Quill" (Gig Young) and "Sappensly" (Robert Webber). Also, "Bennie" (Warren Oates), piano player and co-owner of a bar , along with her lover "Elita" Peach Vega (frequently naked Isela Vega), a prostitute and former girlfriend of "Alfredo Garcia" ; all of them are determined to get the reward . The pianist becomes mixed up vicious bounty hunters who are looking for the head of the man who has impregnated the wealthy owner's daughter and finishing in an orgy of blood and destruction .An enjoyable film , it turns to be an elegiac and tough perspective at the world of losers . Taut excitement throughout , though soon becomes to drawn out , beautifully photographed and with brutal scenes and some images filmed in slow-moving . The film results to be one of the most strong and ferocious directed by Peckinpah . Tenth Sam Peckinpah film , shot with limited financial resources and total freedom . As it was the only movie directed by Sam Peckinpah that he had final cut on , all the others were re-cut by the studios . However , upon release , it was banned in Sweden, Germany and Argentina . The screenplay from S. Peckinpah , Gordon T. Dawson, develops a plot of S. Peckinpah and Frank Kawalski . It is filmed on location in various localities of Mexico . The picture is full of action , drama , adventure , crime , thriller , romance and western . There is a lot of bloodletting but seems almost restrained alongside nowadays's movies . It proposes a rough history , violent , sordid and heartbreaking . Abundant dust , odors , standing water covered with algae , watering foul , squalid housing , etc. It shows the poverty of the region , school children , nasty motorists , rapists stalking , assault , murder , shootouts , etc . Extremely violent throughout , it does show a side of Mexico rarely shot in American movies . Violence takes many forms , including long shootouts , punching, pushing malicious torture in private and in public . The central motive is a cruel revenge . The film is possibly the most brutal and ferocious made by Peckinpah , when he was dominated by alcohol , melancholy , loneliness and despair . Warren Oates turns in an excellent acting as independent pianist who is searching redemption by a crazy vengeance , he and Isela Vega strike real sparks . Warren Oates is on the screen as "alter ego" of the director, who creates one of his most candid self-portraits . It is a road movie , which develops the action as a long drive from the city of Mexico , near which lies the estate of "The Boss" . The film is formatted in a violent odyssey , peppered with unexpected incidents , outrageous situations , social problems and a stark as well as shocking bloody violence . It also has exalted friendship , companionship , affection and love . Displays signs of misogyny that characterizes the filmmaker , where women are not reliable : they are infidels , weak character , disloyal , deceitful, and all men are big losers . In the context of this bleak world , explores the mythic figure of the loser, in line with the general mood of the country after the end of the Vietnam War . It pays tribute to "The Treasure of Sierra Madre (Huston, 1948) , which is inspired and takes some elements included in the screenplay .The soundtrack by Jerry Fielding , Peckinpah's usual ("The Wild Bunch" 1969), composed a score in short melodies that evoke the folk music traditional Mexican and 4 songs notables : "Bennie's Song", "A place to go", "Bad Blood Baby "(voice of Peckinpah) and" JF. " Photography, Alex Phillips ("Robinson Crusoe", Buñuel, 1954) , offers images that accompany and underscore the dirty , rough and violent film . Action , dialog , cinematography , score and slow-moving editing are Peckinpah classic in his film more authentic and personal. Professionally made by the famous director who was a real creator and author of masterpieces as ¨Cross of Iron¨,¨The ballad of Cable Hogue¨, ¨Wild bunch¨ . ¨Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia¨ was lovely realized by Sam Peckinpah in his punchy directorial style . Hardcore Peckinpah moviegoers will appreciate this one more than the casual spectator .