Directed by George Roy Hill
Written by William Goldman
1969/US
IMDb link
Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] Butch Cassidy: I couldn’t do that. Could you do that? Why can they do it? Who are those guys?[/box]
Launching “Flickers in Time: The Lockdown Edition” with this beloved classic. It’s a blend of Old West and a thoroughly modern cinematic sensibility that really shouldn’t work as perfectly as it does.
Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) are the leaders of the Hole in the Wall gang of bank and train robbers. Butch is the more laid-back one and Sundance has the hotter temper. They love to banter with each other. We witness several robberies. These are generally amusing and successful. In their last train robbery, they manag to earn the eternal wrath of the railroad owner, who forms a posse that relentlessly pursues the pair.
In the meantime, we are introduced to schoolmarm Etta Place (Katharine Ross). She is having an affair with Sundance yet also seems to form a perfect couple with Butch. Eventually, the heat gets too close for comfort and all three decide to try their fortunes in Bolivia.
This film is firmly tied to a moment in which the bad guys became the good guys so long as they were against the Establishment, love was free and Burt Bacharach topped the pop charts. Yet it holds up extremely well. Qualifies as a recommended lockdown view for its wry optimism, fantastic cinematography, charismatic and beautiful actors, witty dialogue, and, yes, its bouncy score. A true classic.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid won Academy Awards in the categories of Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced; Best Cinematography; Best Music, Original Song (“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”); and Best Music, Original Score for a Motion Picture (not a Musical). It was nominated in the categories of Best Picture; Best Director; and Best Sound.
Certainly a film of it’s time. Very entertaining with Newman witty and Redford mugging for the camera. My advice is to watch this and follow it with Sam Peckinpah’s masterpiece, “The Wild Bunch” made the same year and definitely for stronger stomachs!
I have The Wild Butch sitting by my DVD player on tap! I’ve been avoiding it for years because of the violence. I’ll get to it but probably not while we are on Lockdown! Thanks for commenting.
When the library here closed, we were in line to borrow a DVD of BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. Very pleased to know that it holds up well. Will be watching it when the smoke clears.
Still deciding on what tack to take for the Lockdown. Do I want to cherry-pick from the 1001 Movies list? Do I just want to keep on trucking at a faster pace through the years, concentrating on musicals, comedies, etc.? Do I want another pre-Code binge? Or none of the above. Today I’ll see if I can catch an Astaire-Rogers film. I’ve also got “Support Your Local Sheriff” on tap for 1969. Love James Garner and sounds like it might be fun. Stay tuned.
James Garner. Sigh. Pre-Code. Pre-Code. Pre-Code!
Fred and Ginger sounds perfect. SWINGTIME?
I have all of Fred and Ginger waiting for me! I seem to be going for movies I have seen before and know will guarantee a good time. Have fun with that adorable bundle of joy!
I remember seeing this film in 1969 just a few days after it was first released. I almost got sick during the first massacre scene! I pulled myself together for the rest on the film and was completely caught up in Peckinpah’s unique vision. It didn’t hurt that I was a huge fan of both William Holden and Robert Ryan, both give their finest performances in this film. Not a film for everyone but an essential film for anyone interested in the art of filmmaking. Be sure to watch the director’s 143 minute cut. Good luck!
Sounds like a good pick for lockdown. Kind of cozy and not too violent. How is 69 looking out for you? Anything in particular you are looking forward to? Cherry picking is tempting but could be tricky since there is no telling how long this lockdown will last. Stay safe.
I’m more or less looking forward to everything on my list (well maybe not The Wild Bunch) but am going to be mixing the dire with the entertaining with an emphasis on the entertaining. I’m going to match them with out year films that I just plain feel like seeing. Yesterday was “Support Your Local Sheriff” (1969) and “The Gay Divorcee” (1934). Today I’m thinking of going with “All Monsters Attack” and “Groundhog Day”.
Looooove Groundhog Day!