Billy the Kid (1930 film)

Billy the Kid is a 1930 American pre-Code Western film directed by King Vidor. It stars Johnny Mack Brown as Billy the Kid and Wallace Beery as Pat Garrett. The film is notable for being one of the early widescreen films, shot in a process called "Realife," a 70mm widescreen format. The storyline depicts a somewhat romanticized version of the life of Billy the Kid and his complex relationship with his friend and later nemesis, Pat Garrett.

The film's narrative focuses on Billy's outlaw activities and his eventual confrontation with Garrett, who ultimately shoots and kills him. While loosely based on historical events and characters associated with the Lincoln County War, the film takes significant liberties with historical accuracy for dramatic purposes. The film was released in multiple versions, including both widescreen and standard formats, to accommodate the technological limitations of theaters at the time. The cinematography, particularly in the widescreen version, was highly praised for its scope and visual appeal.