Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

VHS CASE/ SIDE

Length of film:  110 Minutes

Rated: PG

Genre: Crime, Drama, Western

Director: George Roy Hill

Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin, Henry Jones, Jeff Corey

IMDB Rank: 8/ 10

Part 1 Time:  69 Minutes

Part 2 Time:   41 Minutes

***Although not an official intermission, the scene of New York picture stills can be considered an interactive intermission as it serves very little expository purpose (Fandom, 2025).

Where does the first part end? Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman), The Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) and Etta Place (Katharine Ross) depart Wyoming on route to Bolivia via New York.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “The futures all yours, you lousy bicycles,” states Butch.

First line of dialogue on the second part: At an abandoned Bolivian train station Butch comments; “Well, you know, it could be worse.”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, Butch and Sundance are now being tracked by Joe Lefors in connection for their numerous train robberies against Union Pacific head E.H Harriman. Butch convinces Sundance and Etta to leave the United States for Bolivia, a country which he believes is a robber’s paradise.

Which part is better? The film depicts the end of ‘Wild West’ era in the U.S.A., as lawlessness and nomadic lifestyles within the frontier changed significantly in favour of modern technology (i.e., engine, railroad, bicycles, and law enforcement). Both parts are quite entertaining with part one showcasing the exploits of the ‘Hole-in-the-Wall Gang’ within Wyoming. Part two takes place in Bolivia as Butch and Sundance do what they do best rob (mostly banks). All in all part one is slightly better as it clearly shows the modernization of the American frontier and demise of outlaw gunslingers.

Academy Awards: 1970; Best Picture (Nominated), Best Director (Nominated), Best Writing- Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced (Winner), Best Cinematography (Winner), Best Sound (Nominated), Best Music- Original Song (Winner– ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head’), Best Music- Original Score for a Non Musical Motion Picture (Winner)

Other Awards: 1971 BAFTA– Best Actor (Nominated- Paul Newman), Best Cinematography (Winner), Best Direction (Winner), Best Film (Winner), Best Film Editing (Winner), Best Screenplay (Winner), Best Sound Track (Winner), Best Actor (Winner– Robert Redford), Best Actress (Winner– Katharine Ross), Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music (Winner- Burt Backarach); 1970 Golden Globes– Best Drama Motion Picture (Nominated), Best Screenplay (Nominated), Best Original Score (Winner), Best Original Song (Nominated- ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head’)