Peckinpah’s Women: A Reappraisal of the Portrayal of Women in the Period Westerns of Sam Peckinpah

In what he recognizes may be viewed as an apologia to feminist film critics, screen-/film-writer Mesce reappraises the role of women characters in such films as The Wild Bunch (1969) which altered the moral topography of Westerns. The author's defense of Peckinpah's violent and allegedly sexist themes in the films he parses centers on the director's upbringing, and the contention that female stars did not fare much better under the studio system. Includes a filmography covering works from 1957 to 1983. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)