Butch and Sundance: The Early Days
Butch and Sundance: The Early Days

Butch and Sundance: The Early Days

1979Movie111 minEnglish

Before the adventures that made them legends, they were charming mastermind Robert Leroy Parker, alias Butch Cassidy, and crack-shot outlaw Harry Alonzo Longabaugh, soon to be known as The Sundance Kid. This is the 'prequel' of how they met, their first clumsy robberies, the heroic dangers that abound them together, the secret that nearly tore them apart, and the impossible train heist that made them notorious for life. Saddle up and ride with the showdowns, shootouts, bad guys and good times in the days before the fame when fun was the name of the game.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes38%
Google Users65%
Director: Richard LesterGenres: Western, Comedy, Adventure, Crime

Plot Summary

This prequel explores the formative years of the legendary outlaws, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It details their unlikely meeting and the chaotic series of misadventures that shaped their infamous partnership. From learning the ropes of train robbery to navigating their burgeoning reputations, the film captures the essence of their early exploits and the wild west setting.

Critical Reception

The film received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding it a pale imitation of its beloved predecessor, 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'. While some acknowledged Richard Lester's distinctive directorial style and the charm of the lead actors, most reviews pointed to a lack of the original's wit and emotional depth. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, failing to capture the magic that made the original a classic.

What Reviewers Say

  • While boasting a capable cast, the film struggled to live up to the legacy of the original.
  • Lester's direction offered a unique visual flair but couldn't compensate for a weak script.
  • The film was often criticized for its uneven tone and lack of compelling narrative drive.

Google audience: Audience reviews suggest a sense of disappointment, with many finding the film too derivative of the 1969 classic. While some appreciated the performances, the general sentiment is that it lacked the charm, chemistry, and memorable moments of the original.

Fun Fact

Jeff Daniels, who plays the younger Sundance Kid, was reportedly a fan of the original film and initially hesitated to take on the role out of respect for the iconic performances of Robert Redford and Paul Newman.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review