Butch and Sundance - The Early Days
by Richard Lester
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Jeff Corey, John Schuck, Michael C. Gwynne, Tom Berenger, William KattDirector: Richard Lester
Cinematographer: László Kovács
Producer: Gabriel Katzka
Producer: Jack B. Bernstein
Producer: Steven Bach
Producer: William Goldman
Writer: William Goldman
Writer: Allan Burns
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 115 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-02-22
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Movie Reviews of Butch and Sundance - The Early Days
Movie Review: What A Prequel Should Be: Filling In The Back Stories! And This One Is Great Fun To Boot!
Summary: 5 Stars
This review is for: "Butch & Sundance: The Early Days" (DVD; widescreen)
I never actually saw "Butch & Sundance: The Early Days" until I purchased the DVD last month. However, I have had a long standing interest in them and the Wild Bunch since I was about 12--some five years before "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," with Paul Newman and Robert Redford, was released--and had seen parts of this "prequel" movie on television. So, when I saw the DVD on sale on Amazon, I bought a copy to watch, and have watched the movie five times already. I absolutely enjoy the movie, and, while I acknowledge that the film is a prequel to "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," I feel that it is more important to discuss the merits of "Butch & Sundance: The Early Days," rather than getting into comparing the quality or other aspects of the two movies.
By definition, "Butch and Sundance: The Early Days" is a movie that intends to fill in the "gaps" of events prior to "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" that were not disclosed in the later movie. That is, "Butch & Sundace: The Early Days" is telling us the story of how Butch and Sundance came to be friends, tell us some of their history together that helped to strengthen the bond between them, and, by way of ending the movie, tell us how they saw their futures: "Some day we'll get it. But not for a long time I hope. We're gonna be famous." That other people feel there is no "plot" or story line, indicates to me that they really want a movie called "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: Part 2," which cannot happen unless someone can find proof of what really happened to Butch and Sundance! As such, many viewers totally miss the story, because they are "wanting more of the same thing" as the original movie. On the other hand, I can understand why viewers may watch "Butch & Sundance: The Early Days" and see seemingly unrelated snippets with their individual humorous parts.
However, if one forgets all about "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," then they will "see" that "Butch & Sundance: The Early Days" does if fact present a plot and story line, and they are well worth watching. Moreover, the one thing that the two movies have in common will stand out to the viewer when they actually watch "Butch & Sundance: The Early Days," which is the tone of the movie: drama with comedy; the role of music in setting--but not controlling--the pace and feel of the movie; old western perspectives side by side with popular culture of the day; "bad guys" that seem/feel like "good guys;" the thrill of the "job" versus the desire to go "straight;" and a carefree, take life as it comes and have a really fun time outlook to life.
The movie was also filmed on actual locations, adding to the "credibility" of the film, while providing some breath-taking scenery. Personally, I believe that Tom Berenger (Butch Cassidy / aka Robert Leroy Parker) and William Katt (The Sundance Kid / aka Harry Alonzo Longabaugh) provide wonderful, heartfelt performances as the main characters. Brian Dennehy, as O.C. Hanks, portrays a great antagonist who believes that Butch has "given him up," thus leading him to hound Butch and Sundance wherever they go. While specifics and timing are off, most of the "jobs" shown in "Butch and Sundance: The Early Days" actually happened. I thoroughly enjoyed watching all of Butch's schemes to get the job done, starting with dressing the Kid up in a duster and fake beard, straight to the end when he splashes water on the railroad car and tells the agent it is kerosene.
I also love how Butch always assumes people know who he is when he "shows" up, but they don't; yet really do appreciate and think a lot of him as time goes on. That is, Butch--through Tom Berenger's performance--is shown to be, as Sheriff Ray Bledsoe (played by the same actor in the original movie, Jeff Corey) puts it: "...one of the most affable people I've ever known." And the fact that Butch does make friends easily, which endears him almost immediately to others, is a theme that is nicely developed to it's conclusion when the train agent "helps" Butch with the strong boxes. While Butch comments during the Pocatello bank robbery that he is trying to go straight--which is why he only wants to steal enough money to help with paying for a lawyer--this theme is not none handled very convincingly; despite the fictitious wife and children, and Butch working as a butcher again.
The one aspect of "Butch and Sundance: The Early Days" I wish they would have done a better job with is the historical accuracy, the chronology of events, and the other "gang" members. I don't feel there are major inaccuracies, but rather too much latitude and omission. For example, one of Butch's greatest "tricks" was his escape plans, which involved the use of race horses to leave "the scene of the crime," and a series of fresh replacement horses set up every so often--sort of like the pony express. Butch and the others would then frequently board a train and double back. This technique, which proved very successful, would have made a great contribution to the "humorous drama" of the movie as well. Oh, well, I guess one can't have it all. And, please, don't take me wrong. "Butch and Sundance: The Early Years" is an excellent movie any way you look at it--I just can't get enough! So, get the movie and have fun!
Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.
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