Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

This is another of the movies that I have often heard references to but somehow have never seen this movie. The combined star power of Paul Newman and Robert Redford in itself make this movie something special.

In 1969 when this movie was made Newman was one of the greats and Redford sporting a bushy mustache and long hair was as handsome in a sixties kind of way as could be.

Based on real events, and as stated on the screen at the beginning of the movie, the events are mostly true. Paul Newman plays Butch Cassidy, described as an affable bank robber. He never has shot anybody, he does not want to and he tries not to hurt anybody. He says that he has been robbing banks for years but never has any money. He is reminded by Etta Place, the schoolteacher involved with The Sundance Kid, played by Katherine Ross that it is most likely because he likes to eat well, drink well and carouse too much. He admits that much is true.

The Sundance Kid is a wry, slow moving , crack shot ( when he is moving) who tells Butch to do the thinking as that is what he is good at.

In another life these two would be good old boys, racing cars, hanging out at the tracks. In the late eighteen hundreds they were as they said destined to be bank robbers. Sundance said he does not know how to farm and when discussing any other way to make a living Newman mentions in a very twentieth century way that the hours are terrible. In short they are lazy.

In the movie, tired of their consistent robbing the President of The Union Pacific hires a crack lawman and an Indian Scout to catch them. Faced with potential capture, or worse being shot they along with Etta flee to Bolivia.

As they begin robbing banks again we see their humorous attempts to be understood in their broken Spanish. In Bolivia the Yanquees Bandito's become well known. In the end spotted in a town they pass through they are surrounded. After both being shot but not in a fatal way they are preparing to make a getaway and head to Australia. Australia being a wonderful place for bank robbing as Butch tells him, much as he had promised Bolivia as a similar land of milk and honey, they head out the door and shot ends.

We know what happens to them.

Paul Newman has the definition of charm in this movie. Wry with a dry sense of humor his character is a great hit. Redford too shines.

This is a period piece. The sepia tones fade out as the movie begins and then freeze on our heroes as the movie ends. In between we see a time and place and a way of life fading away. This is not a great movie, I think the star power brought it more acclaim that it deserved. It is however a very good movie.