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This entry into the revisionist western cycle of the early 1970's is an effective, gritty character study. The script divorces itself from the myth of Billy The Kid, aiming its gaze at the reality behind the legend and focusing on the pre-history that led to him becoming the outlaw he became. Michael J. Pollard does well with the lead role, creating a sympathetic misfit whose rumpled but insightful manner carries a certain oddball charm. There is also an understated but moving performance from Lee Purcell as the prostitute he falls in love with and a flashy turn from Richard Evans as the "crazy" outlaw who reveals himself to be more of a survivor than a wild man. The script gives these performances room to breathe by creating an episodic narrative that offers enough time to develop nuances in the characterizations while still edging the story towards its inevitable conclusion. Stan Dragoti's direction has style but avoids artifice, allowing the performances and situations to carry the day while capturing the events in an appropriately gritty manner (look out for a barroom brawl that ends in a woman vs. woman knife-fight). In short, Dirty Little Billy is an effective little sleeper and worth the time for anyone who can appreciate an unsentimental take on the western genre.