Review of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) by Tony P — 11 Nov 2009

This famous buddy film, while heartfelt and entertaining, is really more of a technical achievement than anything else. Along with Bullitt, this has to be the most fantastic cinematography of the late 1960s.

I was sold from the sepia toned introduction of the hardened Redford in an elongated over-the-shoulder. The film eventually comes into full color and spreads into some artful compositions and marvelous lighting.

The sound design is subtle and powerful with the distant thunder of pesuing hoofbeats and the quiet clammor of western towns. The movie kicks off with a gleeful adventure/comedy quality as the chemistry of the ammiable Newman and the stoic Redford plaster a smile on your face.

The tone significantly alters with a palpable danger as they're suddenly persued by a determined gang of lawmen. Sadly, though, the suspense falls flat when the duo embark on a photo montage journey of New York City, accompanied by the irritating score of Bert Bacharach.

This score doesn't let up as they travel into Bolivia, where the story peaks and shallows badly up until a rewarding climax. So really, while Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is a stone cold classic, it's very uneven.