Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

William Goldman (characters)
Allan Burns (written by)

Release Date:

12 October 1979 (Denmark)

Genre:

Western

Plot:

A "prequel" of sorts to "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," chronicling the two outlaws' lives in the years before the events portrayed in the Newman/Redford movie. |

Plot Keywords:

Sundance Kid | Butch Cassidy | Prequel | Prison | Hold Up

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

William Katt	...	The Sundance Kid / Harry Alonzo Longabaugh
Tom Berenger	...	Butch Cassidy / Robert Leroy Parker
Jeff Corey	...	Sheriff Ray Bledsoe
John Schuck	...	Kid Curry / Harvey Logan
Michael C. Gwynne	...	Mike Cassidy
Peter Weller	...	Joe Le Fors
Brian Dennehy	...	O.C. Hanks
Christopher Lloyd	...	Bill Tod Carver (as Chris Lloyd)
Jill Eikenberry	...	Mary Parker
Joel Fluellen	...	Jack
Regina Baff	...	Ruby
Peter Brocco	...	Old Robber
Vincent Schiavelli	...	Guard
Hugh Gillin	...	Cyrus Antoon
Sherril Lynn Rettino	...	Annie (as Sherril Lynn Katzman)

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Argentina:16 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Quotes:

The Sundance Kid: What was this guy like?
Butch Cassidy: Who?
The Sundance Kid: Hanks.
Butch Cassidy: Okay, really.
The Sundance Kid: Thanks a lot.
Butch Cassidy: What for?
The Sundance Kid: Oh, I wanted you to tell me he was a lousy bastard that didn't deserve to live. Did he have any family?
Butch Cassidy: Just the five kids.
The Sundance Kid: Did he?
Butch Cassidy: No! And will you quit torturing yourself! He didn't have any kids. He didn't even hava a wife... just some old hag he lived with. Sundance, when you go get yourself in gunfights, you cna't just pick orphans to do it with.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Magic Sword (#5.11)" (1992)

Cursed By The Original, Better Than It Is Given A Chance To Be.

Whenever I see anyone comment upon this little film, they immediately begin by blasting it because it cannot compare with the classic; "Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid."

I personally do not see that this prequel film was trying to meet or exceed 'The Original' but rather, provide a fun addition and a playful homage to it.

Stars Tom Berenger and William Katt do a credible job as young, fumbling and bumbling outlaws trying to hit their style and stride without getting killed in the process. No, they are not Paul Newman and Robert Redford, but they are not playing Butch and Sundance as seasoned vets at THE END of their criminal careers, either. Watching this, I have no trouble accepting it as a humorous glimpse at the formative beginning and early misadventures of The Legends; Butch and Sundance.

Other aspects in this film's favor are grand location scenery and some top notch supporting cast members, including the ever-enjoyable Jeff Corey reprising his role from the classic as Sheriff Ray Bledsoe (try not to notice that Sheriff Bledsoe is mysteriously older in this "Early Days" film ....But then, aren't we all?)

No, it is not a perfect movie--but then, it can be argued that The Original has it's flaws as well. (Director George Roy Hill expressed his own regrets on a few aspects of his creation that he was never completely happy with)

Bottom Line: If you can accept NOTHING but Redford & Newman, then stay away from this movie, because they are not in it ...

If however, you can just relax and enjoy the ride, then this is a fun little film.

My advice: Give "Butch And Sundance, The Early Days" a shot-- If it don't thrill you, at least it won't kill you !