The Wild Bunch Trivia

1. During the opening credits, the Bunch rode by a group of children huddled together playing a game involving two species of desert wildlife. What kind of creatures were part of the game?

From Quiz "If They Move...Kill 'Em!" "The Wild Bunch" Part 2

Answer: Ants and Scorpions

This scene, in which the ants and scorpions were eventually set on fire by the children was not in the original script. Emilio Fernandez (General Mapache) mentioned to Peckinpah of a childhood pastime in which a scorpion was dropped on an anthill and was literally swarmed by the attacking ants. According to the documentary "The Wild Bunch: An Album in Montage", Peckinpah immediately stopped filming, ordered as many ants and scorpions that could be found brought to the set, and re-wrote the script on the spot to accommodate the new sequence. He has been quoted many times over as saying that the way he began to view the film and its underlying themes from that point forward were a direct result of this scene

From Quiz "If They Move...Kill 'Em!" "The Wild Bunch" Part 1

Answer: The bank robbery/massacre

Holden's line was the first used by a major character in the film, and was spoken at the beginning of the bank hold-up. The shoot-out/massacre sequence following the bank robbery (or railroad office robbery, depending on the reference) gave the audience its first taste of what would become Peckinpah's trademark; multiple camera angles, regular and slow motion shots intertwined, and precise, complex editing. Peckinpah started developing this technique while filming "Major Dundee", but it was not fully realised and perfected until "The Wild Bunch", and would serve as an inspiration for scores of future action-film directors. It took Peckinpah quite a few edits to trim the scene down to five minutes, but the results would set the standard for the remainder of the film. A quick side note: "If they move...kill 'em!" was the first line spoken by a major character in the film, and was voted Number 72 of "The 100 Greatest Movie Lines" (Premiere, 2007). The "Battle of Bloody Porch" was the nickname given by the crew to the final, climatic shoot-out.

From Quiz "The Wild Bunch" Quotes

Answer: Crazy Lee

This quote comes from the very first scene in the bank. Crazy Lee didn't last long. He was the grandson of old man Sykes.

From Quiz Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch"

Answer: He had been an outlaw who was partners with Pike.

In a flashback scene we learnt that Pike and Deke had been friends who worked together. Due to Pike's apparent disregard for caution, Deke ended up being caught and was sent to prison, while Pike escaped.

From Quiz "The Wild Bunch" Quotes

Answer: Dutch

This is an important scene. It's the first real introduction to the Wild Bunch. It also shows the relationships within the bunch. PIKE: "I don't know a damned thing except I either lead this bunch, or end it right now."

From Quiz Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch"

Answer: Shot her

When in his village with the Bunch, Angel learned that his father had been killed by Mapache and that his girlfriend had run off with him. When they arrived at Agua Verde and Angel saw her with Mapache, he went wild and shot her dead. The General's men thought he was trying to kill him, but Dutch explained that because she had been Angel's girl he went after her and not the General.

From Quiz "If They Move...Kill 'Em!" "The Wild Bunch" Part 2

Answer: Strother Martin and L.Q. Jones

Martin (1919-1980) and Jones (b. Justin McQueen, 1927), both very highly respected actors in the industry, as well as close friends in real life, approached Peckinpah with this suggestion in order to add depth and texture to their respective characters. Strother Martin, probably best known for his role in "Cool Hand Luke" ("What we've got here is.. failure..to communicate.") also had a fairly small but impressive role in "Butch Cassidy" that same year, and would go on to team up again with Jones and Peckinpah in "The Ballad of Cable Hogue". L.Q. Jones was certainly no stranger to Peckinpah, having been directed by him in "Ride the High Country" (1962) and "Major Dundee" (1965). Peckinpah would list Jones as one of his favorite actors, directing him twice more in "Hogue" (1970) and "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" (1973). For all of you cult sci-fi fans out there, Jones directed a very young Don Johnson in the classic flick, "A Boy and His Dog" (1975).

From Quiz "If They Move...Kill 'Em!" "The Wild Bunch" Part 1

Answer: He was being threatened by the railroad company with prison.

It was made clear, during the exchange between Thornton and Harrigan (after the bank robbery massacre), that Thornton was being forced to lead the posse to go after the "Bunch". Later flashbacks also revealed how Thornton was captured, (and later tortured in prison), as well as Bishop's escape. It was also very obvious that Thornton despised not only Harrigan, but his "posse" as well, and would much rather have been riding with Pike and the boys. The flashback scenes were not in the original American release, but were restored for the 1995 "Final Cut".

From Quiz "The Wild Bunch" Quotes

Answer: Pike

Sykes causes all the horses to fall down the sand dune. Tector is ready to kill him but Pike steps and asserts his authority.

From Quiz Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch"

Answer: Germany

The two German officers had been in Mexico advising Mapache militarily. They were also interested in getting acquainted with Pike Bishop and his men as they knew that they were outlaws. This was deduced by the senior German officer noticing the side arm carried by Bishop was used by the American army exclusively. He said to Bishop that he was interested in finding men who did not share the American government's political views. Bishop replied, "We share very few sentiments with our government."

From Quiz "If They Move...Kill 'Em!" "The Wild Bunch" Part 2

Answer: The Imperial German Army

As good as the film is, one should not view "The Wild Bunch" and expect to receive a completely accurate historical lesson of the time period (1914), as there are quite a few errors regarding actual events and facts. While Commander Mohr did introduce himself and Ernst as "officers of the Imperial German Army", the fact was that there was no such thing as a united "German Army" in 1914, but rather a unification of the armies of the four Germanic kingdoms (Wurttemberg, Saxony, Bavaria, and Prussia). As Prussia had the largest army of the four, the Prussian Army became the nucleus of the "Army of the German Empire" entering World War I. The more traditional format of the Army was not developed until 1921, when the Army of the Weimar Republic (or "Reichswehr") was formed.

From Quiz "If They Move...Kill 'Em!" "The Wild Bunch" Part 1

Answer: Clarence Lee and Freddie Sykes

Freddie Sykes (Edmond O'Brian, 1915-1985) was Clarence "Crazy" Lee's (Bo Hopkins) grandfather. After leaving Angel's village, Freddie asked Bishop if Crazy Lee "pulled his weight" during the bank robbery (Lee was left behind guarding the hostages while the rest of the "Bunch" made their escape, and was killed by Harrigan), and revealed to Bishop, for the first time, their relationship. Bishop recalled Lee's final words ("I'll hold 'em here 'til Hell freezes over or you say different") and assured Freddie that Lee did "just fine".

From Quiz "The Wild Bunch" Quotes

Answer: Pike

This is in an important flashback scene where we see Thornton getting arrested, and Pike making a run for it. "Relax it's just some champagne we ordered!"

From Quiz Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch"

Answer: Blew up the bridge they were crossing

After taking the weapons, the Bunch were pursued by Thornton and the army and seemed outnumbered, as usual. The pursuing army were young and inexperienced so proved to be no problem. While making their escape from the posse, Deke Thornton had a clear shot of Pike Bishop. Pike turned, while on his horse, and raised his hat to Thornton and his men who had reached the bridge. Before he could shoot him, the dynamite exploded on the bridge sending Thornton and his men into the river.

From Quiz "The Wild Bunch" Quotes

Answer: Harrigan

Mr. Harrigan is an evil man, and is only interested in the money. If he really wanted Pike dead he would have given Thornton some decent men.

From Quiz "The Wild Bunch" Quotes

Answer: Dutch

This comes from the scene where Angel shoots his ex-girlfriend. Dutch talks about how bad a state Mexico is in, and wishes that the Mexicans would get rid of the banditos that are running the country.

From Quiz "If They Move...Kill 'Em!" "The Wild Bunch" Part 2

Answer: Let's go

Bishop actually said this short but powerful line to Lyle and Tector, who at the time were arguing with one of Mapache's prostitutes regarding payment arrangements made the night before. After a short pause, Lyle responded with an equally simple "Why not?". Stepping outside, Bishop gave Dutch a smile, which was returned by Dutch with complete understanding and agreement. The four then proceeded to check and load their weapons, preparing for the confrontation. The original script called for the next scene to cut directly to the Bunch facing off with Mapache, but, as explained before, Peckinpah then devised the "walk thing" on the spot.

From Quiz "The Wild Bunch" Quotes

Answer: Comm. F. Mohr

This is quite a funny scene. Mapache holds the machine gun and starts shooting up the town. A couple of scenes later some of his men are putting the gun together and Mapache tells them this!

From Quiz Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch"

Answer: Cuts Angel's throat

After General Mapache cut Angel's throat, the Bunch shot him dead. None of his men seemed willing to retaliate and there were a few uneasy moments, the lull before the storm!

From Quiz "The Wild Bunch" Quotes

Answer: Herrera

I always liked this Mexican. He makes me laugh. "Please, cut the fuse." By rigging the wagon with explosives Pike shows Mapache that he means business.

From Quiz Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch"

Answer: Freddie Sykes

The only member of the Wild Bunch to survive was old Freddie, played by Edmond O'Brien. His character had been cut off from the Bunch earlier in the film after a confrontation with Deke Thornton and his posse. Wounded and lost he had been found by Mexican rebels and by the end of the film had joined them.

From Quiz "If They Move...Kill 'Em!" "The Wild Bunch" Part 1

Answer: He slit Angel's throat.

At the beginning of the confrontation, Bishop informed a drunken Mapache and his men of their intentions ("We want Angel!"). Mapache appeared to agree to the demand, and dragged a beaten and bloody Angel to his feet and took hold of a knife, seemingly to cut the ropes that bound Angel's hands. However, instead of freeing Angel, Mapache grabbed Angel by the hair and slit his throat. Bishop instantly responded by killing Mapache. Mapache's soldiers were frozen in shock, and there was a long pause before Dutch, Tector and Lyle actually started laughing. Bishop then turned around and killed Commander Mohr, Mapache's arrogant German advisor, which lead to the final, epic blood-bath.

From Quiz "The Wild Bunch" Quotes

Answer: Angel

This scene in the sauna gives some insight into Pikes past. Pike also decides to give Angel a crate of guns to help his people fight Mapache. Angel takes the guns but gives up his share of the gold.

From Quiz Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch"

Answer: He joined Freddie Sykes and the rebels

After the climactic battle and the death of the Bunch, the posse chasing them took their bodies, but Deke Thornton remained behind. As the town cleared of people, old Freddie rode up to the gates with his new rebel friends. He offerered Thornton the opportunity to join them, saying, "It won't be like old times....but it'll do." Thornton and Sykes grinned and laughed before Thornton got on his horse and rode off with them.

From Quiz "If They Move...Kill 'Em!" "The Wild Bunch" Part 2

Answer: He was shot by the posse and left for dead.

Freddie was ambushed and wounded by the posse while he was leading several pack horses back to the camp the Bunch was using during the rifle exchange with Mapache. He was pursued by the posse, but was able to avoid being captured or killed. Later meeting up with Don Jose (the Elder of Angel's village), Freddie, Don Jose, and the rest of the village guerrillas rode into Mapache's headquarters after the shoot-out. It was at this time that Freddie and Thornton exchanged the wonderful dialogue that ended the film. Thanks for playing, and please rate if you have the time.

From Quiz "If They Move...Kill 'Em!" "The Wild Bunch" Part 1

Answer: "It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do."

Actually, all of these quotes were Freddie's. After the final gun-fight, Thornton and his men rode in to Mapache's stronghold, where the bounty hunters quickly collected the bodies of the "Bunch" and rode off again, eager to collect the reward money. Thornton took Bishop's pistol, and simply sat outside of the compound while survivors of the battle streamed by. Before long, shots were heard in the distance, and afterwards Freddie and a band of the rebel villagers rode up to Thornton. Freddie, surprised at seeing Thornton there, informed him that the "posse" didn't get far, a fact that Thornton was not surprised about. Freddie asked Thornton of his plans, and invited him to ride along with himself (Freddie) and the rebels. This was simply a beautiful, bittersweet line to end the film. Thank you very much for playing, please rate if you have time.

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