Rating: 
Summary: Casting Dustin Hoffman As Butch Cassidy?
Review: BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID is a story about two characters in Wyoming who pull several train holdups and bank robberies before being pursued relentlessly by posses. They end up in Bolivia where their luck runs out as the last we see of them Butch and Sundance are in a shootout with a large contingent from the Bolivian Army. Do they survive or do they die in a hail of gunfire? That is the big unanswered question.The movie contains lots of action as well as a good deal of comedy. Don't miss that scene-stealing rascal Strother martin. He is up to his old tricks again in this one. According to the Internet Movie Database, Dustin Hoffman was considered for the part of Butch Cassidy and Steve McQueen almost took the role of Sundance. How much difference would this have made in the final product? I would bet that either substitution would not have resulted in an improvement. The big competition in 1969 for Oscars came from MIDNIGHT COWBOY, TRUE GRIT and THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE. In spite of the tough field, BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID still managed to win nominations for Best Picture, Director and Sound.
Rating:
Summary: "Think you used enough dynamite there Butch?"
Review: The Western genre's most enduring and charming film only gets better and better as the years go by, seeming to remain ageless and timeless. Whenever I'm asked to name my favorite movie this is the one I often claim is, though during the holiday season I would be inclined to name one of those seasonal venerable classics. Decades past it's original release Newman's and Redford's inspired teaming in this feature still plays to packed houses in revival theaters; hardly a person is alive who leaves a theater showing of it and doesn't come out reciting the memorable banter between the two. Filled with eminently quotable dialogue, rich colorful characterizations and many unforgettable sequences it is one of the most pleasurable movie experiences to be had. Containing as much inventive fiction as historical accuracy, 'Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid' both comically and dramatically recounts the exploits of the two legendary and affable outlaws of the title, known formally as Robert Leroy Parker and Harry Longbaugh respectively While there is still continuing debate about the facts surrounding the duo that won't taint your enjoyment of this picture at all; the equitable melding of myth and reality serves as an enrichment and not a detriment. A straightforward telling of the then known facts simply would not have served any moviegoer and certainly not the fine company of actors gathered here. The two stars have never been more likable and a stellar cast of secondary players supports them supremely, most notably Katherine Ross who plays Etta Place, the Kid's girlfriend. The wonderful character actor Strother Martin is cast in another memorable appearance as American prospector Percy Garris who the two encounter on their ill-fated trip to Bolivia. While the movie is episodic and characters appear and disappear generally not to be seen again, 'Butch And Sundance' never gets pat or tiresome. Cleverly constructed, well paced and beautifully photographed it isn't hard to see why this film has had such lasting appeal to viewers of multiple generations. Also worth mentioning is the Burt Bacharach composed and conducted original music score featuring the hit song "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" that he co-wrote with Hal David. I especially love the sequence of the film when this song is played; while some may argue that it is incongruent with the rest of the movie it serves to accentuate the feelings that Etta has for both of the men. She would have just as been likely to have ended up falling in love with Butch as she did Sundance and this short and engaging scene neatly conveys that without being schmaltzy or clumsy. Not really a Western per se, not really a drama and not really a pure comedy the movie transcends all these classifications and forges it's own territory as a rare gem, distinctive and graceful. The DVD edition is absolutely fabulous with terrific extras that you really want to see and not padded with those excruciatingly boring deleted scenes that have become so blasé on recently released DVD's of films of the past decade. The "Making Of" documentary, the interviews with the cast members and the audio commentary are also all well done and the movie transfer is flawless. If 'Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid' is a film you enjoy watching then I strongly recommend purchasing the DVD, it's a great addition to any collection. Noteworthy: Ross played Etta Place once again in the successful 1976 made for television movie 'Wanted: The Sundance Woman'.
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Summary: No matter how the West was WON this film shows it was FUN!
Review: This is a classic not to be missed. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of the last examples of a time when Hollywood made quality classics on a regular basis--instead of the [junk] it now generates 95 % of the time. This movie embodies several gold standard qualities of Hollywood classics: 1) Star power and star chemistry yielding unforgettable characters 2) a well-written script that will be quoted until the end of time 3) ingenuity in cinematography and film editing. 1) There are many stories about how exactly Newman and Redford got cast. Some say Steve McQueen was supposed to star opposite Newman, but refused after he found out he would not get top billing. Also, originally, Newman was cast as Sundance and Redford was Butch. Depending on who you ask, either Redford or the Director recommended the switch. Newman strongly backed the casting of Redford, a relatively new and unknown star at the time. We are all glad he did. Their chemistry is fantastically brilliant, with colorful threads of wit, humor, and humanity thread throughout their relationship. Newman, one of the finest actors of all time, projects a warm and friendly "old buddy, old pal" character as Butch Cassidy. This leader of the "Hole in the Wall gang" is devilish, ingenious, endeavoring, and affectionate (you will love the bicycle scene with Katherine Ross). His "Get rich quick" schemes have him and Sundance living life to the full hilt-alternating periods of lavish living, mishaps in bank/train robbing, and running/jumping/floating from a "out to kill" posse. Redford's dry wit and serious demeanor nicely compliment Newman's character. No one delivers a line like Redford, you can almost hear his teeth grinding in the background. No scene illuminates this better than when they first arrive in Bolivia with dreams of wealth and easy living to find desolate farm land and a few goats. The wit is unsurpassed here. 2) Quotes/scenes that are classic, or at the very least pretty damn funny-
Butch Cassidy: What happened to the old bank? It was beautiful!
Guard: People kept robbing it.
Butch Cassidy: Small price to pay for beauty. Butch: Boy, I got vision while the rest of the world wears bifocals. Butch Cassidy: You jump first.
The Sundance Kid: No, I said.
Butch Cassidy: What's the matter with you?
The Sundance Kid: I can't swim!
Butch Cassidy: Why you crazy--the fall will probably kill you! Sundance: Can you take the two on the right?
Butch: Kid, I think there's something I oughta tell ya. I never shot anybody before.
Sundance: One HELL of a time to tell me. Butch Cassidy: If he'd just pay me what he's paying them to stop me robbing him, I'd stop robbing him! 4) If you buy the latest release of the film, there is a bonus "making of" feature at the end. It's a nice summary of how the cinematography, editing, music, and characters all came together to produce "one of the most popular screen westerns ever made, this Academy Award winning classic blends adventure, romance, and comedy to tell the true story of the West's most likeable outlaws."-(back cover) For example, the sepia toned frames of New York with Newman, Redford, and Ross superimposed give the film a vintage touch. James Dean may have defined "cool" in "Rebel Without A Cause" but Newman and Redford certainly pull no punches in presenting their definition-their wit is beyond cool.
Rating:
Summary: Bank Robbers, Gunmen, "Banditos Yanquis",,,We love em
Review: This review refers to the Special Edition DVD of Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid......
This was probably the first western film where we actually are rooting for the outlaws. Butch(Paul Newman) and Sundance(Robert Redford) are portrayed with humor and style and are likeable (If not loveable) bad guys. Butch is always thinking, planning and scheming their next move. Sundance is the quickest gun in the west. What a team. (except Butch can't shoot and the Kid can"t swim)
As the movie opens (in the muted colors of an old photograph) we see exactly that, Butch scoping out a bank, you could see the wheels turning, and then Sundance displaying his expertise with a gun on a fellow poker player. As they ride off toward "Hole in the Wall" a hideout for notorious outlaws, the film switches to color and what glorious cinematography we are treated to through out the film.
They wind up going on the run after a botched train robbery to escape the "Super Posse" hired to find and kill them. Of course first they stop in town at the local Madam's place (look for a very young and beautiful Cloris Leachman as one of the "pros") and another stop to pick up The Kid's girl Etta Place(Kathryn Ross) and they become a trio as they head off to Boliva to try their luck there. They of course don't speak Spanish and have to learn the simple everyday phrases like "stick em up", and "give me the money". They even try "going straight" for a while, but are recognized as the "Banditos Yanquis", culminating in a shoot out.
There are so many wonderful scenes in this movie including the great bike ride with Butch and Etta to the tune of "Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head".. If you havnt seen it yet I don't want to give it all away. If you have seen it you will love the way this film looks and sounds on this DVD.
The DVD is THX Digitally Mastered. The Musical Score of Burt Bacharach sounds excellent. The picture quality is superb. Colors are vibrant. It does not look like a 30 yr+ film. The look of the old west was truly captured by director George Roy Hill. It is in the original widescreen aspect. There were a couple of little glitches in one scene (may have just been my copy, not sure) but it did not interfere with my viewing pleasure of this film.
There are lots of interviews and commentaries by the stars and a featurette of the making of the film. The stars comments mostly on their memories (good and bad) during the shooting of the film. Be careful not to have any small children in the room while listening to the writer (William Goodman) tell his story.
I'm not sure how much of the actual events in the story are true but this is a legendary movie about legendary American Outlaws and a great western!
"I got vision and the whole worlds wearing bifocals"- Butch To Sundance...............Have fun ...Laurie
Rating:
Summary: I wish I could give this 50 stars
Review: I love westerns. The tough, gritty action, the free living gunfighters, really makes a cinema memory. I will be honest. When I first rented this film, I was a little unsure. I had heard this was a comedy. I like my westerns to be pure western. I took a chance and veiwed this film. Wow. This was so good, I watched it four times all the way through. It is a beautiful film. The color has a very charming faded look to it. It dose have plenty of action. The shoot-out at the end is breathtaking. If you like classic westerns, you MUST own this film. The dvd does a great job of cleaning up the film. It also has some interesting extra features.
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Summary: Great, All-Time Classic on DVD
Review: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of the greatest movies to ever come out in 1969. The pairing of Newman and Redford as Butch and Sundance was outstanding. It would have been great if they could have teamed together in more than just two motion pictures, but hey, we should rejoice that we have this entertainment gem to enjoy. Along with the superb acting, the creative screenwriting made this production a masterpiece. Though it is presented in the introduction as a story that is "mostly true", Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is perhaps remembered best for its elements of sarcastic humor that really set the overall tone of the movie, such as the dialogue that occurred as one partner became exasperated by the outcome of the decisions made by the other. For instance, Butch talks Sundance into leaving the U.S. with him and their female compadre, Etta, so that they can finally arrive to a living paradise called Bolivia, only to discover that as soon as they get off the train after reaching their destination, this so-called Garden of Eden looks more like Hell on Earth. Sundance is immediately irate and any words that Butch and Etta try to use to calm him down are responded to with insults and condemnations. Throughout the movie, it almost seems as if you have Alias Smith and Jones meets the Three Stooges. Though they are supposedly the villains, the characters of Butch and Sundance have so many intermittent moments of hilarity that one cannot help but find them to be very likable. So far as any other comments are concerned, the music from the soundtrack is nicely mixed in, especially the standout Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head. Kudos also to Katharine Ross for her ..., endearing portrayal of Etta. Included in this DVD are behind the scenes footage of the making of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and separate 1994 interviews with Newman, Redford, and Ross that focused on their perspectives of the movie twenty-five after its release.
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Summary: cousinpaco's top action: #7
Review: Though gunfights are few and far between in this classic, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" is a prototypical buddy-picture. The chemistry between Robert Redford and Paul Newman sets the standard, and the humor and uniqueness of the screenplay (a Western where the heroes run away!) prevent this movie from feeling outdated. Butch's solution when challenged to a knife-fight is just the beginning... Only the musical interludes feel out of place in this day and age, but they work with the movie as a whole. And to appease our affection for such an affable duo, the creators found the perfect way to end the movie. As a DVD, this is a pretty decent "Special Edition." Entertaining interviews, commentary and featurette are icing on the cake for such a great movie. Check it out.
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Summary: Western
Review: Good, old western with the best acting you have ever seen.
Rating:
Summary: the dawn of the buddy films
Review: A story of two Western bankrobbers with contemporary humor and music that gives the story a youthful appeal. How can you not love it? Robert Redford and Paul Newman bring a charm to the film that few of today's actors can muster, and Katharine Ross is both beautiful and likable as the woman who will follow the oulaws anywhere they ask her to go. The film's wry humor, however, is what really has maintained it as a true classic. How could anyone not be charmed by Paul Newman's bicycle stunts? The sets and costumes are perfectly suited for the era and beautifully recreated.Also, the ending of this film is very well done, the final frame a simple still shot of the two men the audience doesn't want to watch die. This film is a classic that generations will continue to enjoy for many years to come.
Rating: 
Summary: "Special Edition DVD including bonus out-takes"
Review: Nowhere to be found in the special features, or within the interviews. This is my favorite movie of all time, and it is indeed treated very well with the special features. But I don't like flat out misleading hype. Shame on you.
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