Reviewed by: Becca & Jeff

Directed by: George Roy Hill

Produced by: John Foreman

Cast: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin, Cloris Leachman, Henry Jones, Kenneth Mars, Jeff Corey, & Ted Cassidy

This revisionist Western comedy, which served as the prototype of the buddy film for years to come, stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, respectively. At the turn of the 20th century, the twosome have become notorious for the skill with which they rob banks and trains--with the help of the Hole in the Wall gang. But their last few jobs have been botched, and after Butch and Sundance return from a brief vacation, Harvey Logan (Ted Cassidy) challenges Butch's leadership. After comically snuffing the rebellion, Butch agrees with one of the gang on risking the double robbery of a Union Pacific payroll train. Despite blowing up the entire baggage car, they survive the first stage of the robbery and spend some down time with Sundance's girl, schoolteacher Etta Place (Katharine Ross). But after hitting the train on its return trip, Butch and Sundance are relentlessly pursued by a posse of world-class lawmen planted on board by the wily railroad president. Realizing that their days are numbered, the outlaws head for Bolivia.

This movie was as adventurous as it was comical. Giving a glimpse of what true friendship is, while showing you can't take anything serious when you are with your best friend, not even death. Paul Newman and Robert Redford show in this movie why they were meant for great things. This isn't just any old western so don't be fooled by the cowboys on the cover. As a matter of a fact I wouldn't really classify it as a western, it's defiantely not a spaghetti western. The two friends Butch and Sundance crack jokes, and treat eachother like true best friends. All the time, they are being followed, hunted, and chased (take your pick) by the best lawmen in the United States. I prefer the above description over what was on the actual box, because it made it sound like they were fighting over the same women, but that never happened. It wasn't really even about her, she was more in the way then a needed character. Having her there, however, did show how much they trusted eachother not to take what isn't there's.

So, I laughed, I cried, I sang, I dance, I got up and did the cha cha, if you are ever in the mood for something that doesn't take too much thinking, and gives you a slight chuckle, with an decent story this should be the one for you. Especially if you think the young Robert Redford is a complete fox like I do.

I was slightly uneasy about this classic western. It was suggested by a friend, and even though I really don't enjoy westerns all that much, this movie really drew me in. Although it's a western, it really focus' on the characters. Both Paul Newman and Robert Redford were excellent, and both played there roles perfectly. The thing I enjoyed the most about this movie was the gun fights. The gun fights were all very well choreographed, and most were realistic (no shooting at a completely open target and missing every time). The story gets a little weird towards the middle, when they leave to Bolivia, and it seems like it would get ridiculous from there, but it actually works out very interestingly when they make a name for themselves down there. I found this to be a good movie, and worth watching if you have the time, or like westerns.