John Bryson explains why Sam Peckinpah was a “monster and a saint”
The tequila-sipping, chain-smoking Sam Peckinpah might not be a director’s name that springs to mind as readily as Clint Eastwood or Stanley Kubrick, but those who worked with him or experienced his presence on set were certainly in for a whirlwind.
Peckinpah, known for his intense and often controversial filmmaking style, left a lasting impression on those around him through his work and tumultuous personality. His films, characterised by their gritty realism and unflinching portrayals of violence, have earned him a unique place in cinematic history, even if his name doesn’t always receive the same immediate recognition as some of his contemporaries.
One person who Peckinpah profoundly impacted was John Bryson, a close friend and “drinking buddy” of the director. Bryson, who played a minor role as The Accountant in The Getaway, earned his first acting credit in the film. The Getaway, starring Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw, could easily be seen as the love child of The Asphalt Jungle and The Great Escape while also serving as a companion piece to True Romance. It is every bit the essence of Peckinpah, right down to the casting.
While Bryson was primarily known as a photojournalist who captured celebrities, he also appeared in minor roles in some of Peckinpah’s films. In what seemed like a random connection, Bryson secured his chance during pre-production for The Getaway while sitting in on the casting process. At one point, Peckinpah turned to him and asked if he’d like to take one of the open roles. Bryson jokingly agreed, not realising that the offer was serious.
During an interview with Rolling Stone, Bryson fondly recalled his experience shooting The Getaway with Peckinpah, who gave him only one piece of advice: “Don’t act, just react.” Bryson also elaborated on how his role was expanded, including his character’s inevitable death, which proved to be a challenging experience. However, the memory that stood out most was the day after filming that scene, when Bryson received a bouquet of roses from an anonymous admirer. Peckinpah, in turn, sent him a much larger bouquet, showcasing the jovial spirit that existed beneath the madness on set.
As a close friend of Peckinpah, Bryson understood the trials and tribulations he faced as a director but never questioned his craft. Bryson remarked that Peckinpah could be summarised as “a monster and a saint. He’s the meanest, kindest, toughest, softest… he runs the whole gamut from Yin to Yang.”
A paragon of passion, reflected in his deeply humanist, Bryson continued his appraisal: “He’s all that. Good, bad, soft, hard, evil, sweet — the whole range of human emotion is at work in him”.
It’s no surprise that Peckinpah dubbed himself as ‘El Jefe’ (The Chief) while working on this film, and it has been reported that The Getaway was his most successful commercial work in his entire oeuvre.
In other words, Peckinpah was revered for his talent and commitment to film, but he was also feared for his temper and his lack of cooperation with other production members, which may have potentially played a hand in his eventual fall from grace. While his later projects would eventually flop, Peckinpah did manage to solidify himself as a controversial yet unique auteur besides his contemporaries of that era.
As Peckinpah put it himself: “There is a great streak of violence in every human being. If it is not channelled and understood, it will break out in war or in madness.”
