Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch by Roby Amor

Roby's movie poster style illustrations are amazing and a great value whether you buy directly from him (he reps himself now) or happen to come across for resale from another collector or auction house here in the U.S. - so well done for pouncing on one you really liked when it popped up - it's fantastic! 

Gotta agree that Ernest is always a standout in every forum, and especially here. This piece looks like it was illustrated at the time of the movie. Instant classic!

Congratulations on a stunning illustration that truly nails the likenesses of the characters. Like yourself, I was immediately drawn to the spot on depiction of Ernest Borgnine! Like many children of the 1960's I enjoyed watching him on McHale's Navy (along with Tim Conway) and only realized what a fantastic dramatic actor he was when I watched The Wild Bunch for the first time!  It's still a little hard to believe it's the same actor in both roles!  You certainly picked the perfect example of Roby Amor's art for your collection!

When my father enlisted in the Navy and we moved to this country, I discovered the treasure trove of American syndicated televsion.  Bewitched, The Adams Family, I Dream of Jeannie, Gilligan's Island, and McHale's Navy (just to name a few).  Like you, I watched Borgnine's McHale play straightman to Conway's Ensign Parker completely clueless to the fact that he was an Academy Award winning actor.  And yes, although only three years removed from the end of the show, it WAS hard to imagine that his character and performance in the film was actually the same actor.  Thanks for the comment buddy!

beautiful piece buddy, and yes, ernest stands out for me as well, such a great cast, miss movies like this very much, not sure if was his last, but was cool seeing him in RED, and the lines he had were so great, think im gonna pull this movie out , congrats on a spectacular piece

I loved his two small scenes in RED, I wish he had more scenes in that movie.  To answer your question, he actually did six more movies after RED before he died in 2012.

Second hand art and second hand cars!

“They came too late and stayed too long.” Terrific photorealistic graphite rendering of Peckinpah’s finest hour with a peerless ensemble cast. Man, it is too long since I last saw this movie. Roby certainly nailed it with the likenesses and the composition – which when it is put together looks like it could not be done any other way but I am sure a great deal of thought and planning went into it. I especially like the way he incorporated the design for the original poster – the figures walking into the light to meet their fate – onto Bill Holden’s white shirt. Only a true film buff, which I believe Roby is, could give the right emphasis to each character, and although Warren Oates and Ben Johnson are relegated to bit parts in the drawing they at least made it which is more than can be said for Bo Hopkins but he would be the first to not make the cut for being written out so early in the movie, but it was a memorable cameo all the same. Roby has cornered the market in these film-cast compositions. Great choice of subject matter and although you did not call it you recognised where it belonged. Congrats.

First of all, thanks for the comment.  Not just for the kindness and consideration of it, but for prompting me to revisit the film myself.  Haha!  And I have the fully restored Director’s cut no less.  Just experienced it again yesterday and it was the most fun 145 minutes I’ve spent this week.  So thanks for the unintentional suggestion. 

As to the art, I agree with pretty much everything you wrote.  I do like the composition, although it doesn’t necessarily allow for everyone’s likeness to be fully featured.  At the same time, the piece would have come off as too forced and unnatural if everyone was conveniently facing forward.  Holden and Borgnine are the money shots but I can also understand Ryan being featured since he’s main antagonist.  The mystery for me is why Sanchez is featured more prominently than Oates, Johnson, or O’Brien.  As for Hopkins, he was a sacrificial lamb for the audience.  I’m sure they could just as easily have killed off a no name actor, but the audience wouldn’t have been as vested in the scene.  Still, even if Hopkins does have a very recognizable face, I don’t have a problem with him not being featured in the drawing.  Of course if Roby had a more “everything but the kitchen sink” approach, he could have gone hogwild and just threw in everybody.  Strother Martin, LQ Jones, Dub Taylor, Alfonso Arau, Emilio Fernandez, you name it.  Haha!

Firstly, sorry for the delay in replying to your counter comment. If you make it through to the end of this windy reply there is an explanation of sorts. Ha! I too have the Director’s Cut of this movie. Unfortunately it is on VHS videotape and I am too tight-fisted to upgrade, so my 30+ year wait to see the movie again will have to wait until I can get my ancient player to work for 145 minutes. I get what you are saying about the composition. If you give everyone equal emphasis then it will look “same-y”, but I do not have a problem with the spotlight on Sanchez/Angel because, if I remember correctly, it is the Bunch’s betrayal of him (before they decide to redeem themselves by coming back), his humiliation and particularly cruel torture and killing which sets up the cathartic bloodbath finale. When the film was first televised on terrestrial British television back in 1976 it was coverfeatured on the weekly tv listings magazine it was such an event. However they edited out the very graphic way that Angel is killed. Now you can if you want to (I don’t) see much worse on the web and sadly it is for real. What is the world coming to? It is slightly ironic that my comment prompted you to re-watch the movie because your uploading of the artwork reminded me that I also have a Roby Amor artwork, and which by coincidence is topical. I won’t put the link up here because it seems cheeky to do so – like gatecrashing someone’s party and hogging all the attention – but thank you for your initial upload otherwise I may have completely forgotten I had the drawing to post.

Instant classic!

Fantastic.  As you say, this one is locked, loaded, and just ready for things to go down whenever another theatrical release is queued up for this Bunch.  Great layout, masterful touch, and breathtaking control in Roby's pencil work here.  I thought the pieces he dropped for the last Comic Art Live were stunning as well - definitely an artist I need to dig more into!  Thank you for the lovely reminder!  Really great piece, Eric - great grab - congrats!

That's amazing! And what a great movie!

Fab poster-like illustration of a memorable Peckinpah film! Good description of the art. I particularly like the gunfighters in shadow on William Holden's arm and back. The poses and likenesses are excellent. Fab pickup!

Let's Go!

Awesome detail. 

I seem to remember this one. One of if not the best western