Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford

directed by George Roy Hill

Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford), robbers of banks and trains, find themselves on the run from a posse hired by the owner of the Union Pacific railway. Their only refuge is the home of Etta Place, Sundance's gal. They decide, after a long chase during which they were doggedly pursued by the posse, to move to Bolivia. Etta goes with them.

They try to make a living robbing banks in Bolivia. Etta, the only one of the three who speaks Spanish, functions as their translator in everything including bank robberies. News of their exploits spreads.

A price is placed upon their heads. They try to lay low for a while but eventually they return to robbing. They are taking a break in a small town when someone recognizes them from a wanted poster and runs to tell the local police. Butch and Sundance find themselves cornered in a building. They put up a valiant fight  but once reinforcements show up to bolster the local police they are overwhelmed.

Thoughts

This movie reminded me at times of Bonnie & Clyde (1967). It has a similar feel to it but I like it better. I'm not sure exactly why.

The score is not overwhelming. There are moments where other films would have played music to tell viewers what to think but this one does not.

This was my first time watching this movie. I don't love it but there are things about it that I like. The cinematography, especially the outdoor shots, is beautiful.

Notes

The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best director. It won Academy Awards for Best Story and Screenplay (based on material not previously published or produced), Best Cinematography, Best Original Score for a Motion Picture (not a musical), and Best Song (original for the picture).

I've seen Paul Newman in several films. I've seen him most recently in Harper (1966). I've seen Robert Redford in a number of films. The film I've seen him in most recently is All the President's Men (1976). Katherine Ross played the part of Etta Place. I've seen her in a few other movies but none that I have seen recently. There are a few other actors in smaller parts that I have seen in other movies and or episodes of television including Ted Cassidy, Cloris Leachman, Strother Martin, Jeff Corey, and Henry Jones.

This is not the first film that George Roy Hill directed that I have seen but it has been quite a while since I last saw one.