Bad Company (1972)

A young man dodges drafting (from the North) when the Civil War in the U.S.A. breaks; he leaves home heading West and meets a gang of petty thieves whom he joins. His initial goal of establishing himself as a law abiding citizen in another place gradually disappears as his destiny becomes enmeshed with that of the gang's leader.

An intelligent little film, one rare example of stern realism in cinema which is also aesthetically enjoyable throughout. Bridges' performance is very fine, even finer than his usual; Savage is superb in a smaller role.

Rating: 61