Bad Company (1972)
A revisionist Western following young Civil War draft dodgers adrift on a lawless frontier, starring Jeff Bridges and Barry Brown.
Bad Company - Movie Information
- Original Title: Bad Company
- Release Year: 1972
- Directed by: Robert Benton
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Western, Drama
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 8, 1972 (United States - PG), December 22, 1972 (Germany)
- Alternative Titles: Zle towarzystwo (PL), Vestens vilde drenge (DK), Paha porukka (FI)
- Production Companies: Jaffilms Inc., Paramount Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Bad Company - Plot
After Drew Dixon, an upright young man, is sent west by his religious family to avoid being drafted into the Civil War, he drifts across the land with a loose confederation of young vagrants.
Bad Company - Trailer
See the official trailer for this gritty 1972 frontier drama:
They're young, desperate, dangerous—a long way from home, but a short way from Hell.
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Bad Company - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Robert Benton
Main Cast
- Jeff Bridges
- Barry Brown
- David Huddleston
- Jerry Houser
- Geoffrey Lewis
- Ed Lauter
- John Savage
- Jim Davis
- Damon Douglas
- Joshua Hill Lewis
Writers
- David Newman
- Robert Benton
Producers
- Stanley R. Jaffe
Bad Company - FAQs
What is Bad Company (1972) about?
Bad Company follows Drew Dixon, a pious young man whose family sends him west to dodge the Civil War draft. He falls in with Jake Rumsey and a ragged crew of young drifters, and the frontier's harsh realities gradually strip away his innocence. It's a revisionist Western about survival, moral compromise, and lost youth.
How does Bad Company subvert the classic Western genre?
Rather than celebrating frontier heroism, Bad Company presents the Old West as grimy, unglamorous, and morally ambiguous. Director Robert Benton strips away romantic mythology, showing young men stumbling through poverty and petty crime. It's closer in spirit to a coming-of-age drama than a traditional shoot-'em-up Western.
Where can you watch Bad Company (1972)?
Bad Company is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. You can also stream it for free on Hoopla, which is accessible through many public library memberships.
What is the dynamic between Jeff Bridges and Barry Brown?
Jeff Bridges plays the wily, streetwise Jake Rumsey, while Barry Brown portrays the sheltered, morally upright Drew Dixon. Their contrasting personalities drive the film's tension and dark humor. Watching the idealistic Drew gradually adapt to Jake's cynical survival instincts is the emotional core of the story.
Who are the main actors in Bad Company?
The film stars Jeff Bridges as Jake Rumsey and Barry Brown as Drew Dixon in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes David Huddleston as Big Joe, Geoffrey Lewis as Hobbs, Ed Lauter as Orin, John Savage as Loney, and Jerry Houser as Arthur Simms.
Is Bad Company (1972) worth watching today?
Absolutely. Bad Company holds up remarkably well as a lean, unsentimental Western with strong performances from a young Jeff Bridges and Barry Brown. Cinematographer Gordon Willis gives the film a beautifully weathered look, and Robert Benton's direction keeps things grounded and honest throughout its brisk 93-minute runtime.
Who directed and wrote Bad Company (1972)?
Robert Benton directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay alongside David Newman. The pair had previously collaborated on Bonnie and Clyde (1967). Bad Company marked Benton's feature directorial debut, showcasing the revisionist sensibility that would later define his Oscar-winning work on Kramer vs. Kramer.
What is the significance of the Civil War setting?
The Civil War backdrop isn't just historical flavor — it's the engine that sets the story in motion. Young men fleeing the draft head west with no plan and no skills, making them vulnerable and desperate. The setting lets Benton explore themes of displacement, loyalty, and moral erosion in a uniquely American context.
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