Butch and Sundance - The Early Days (1979)

The first film to actually bill itself as a "prequel," this Richard Lester effort certainly didn't measure up to the Robert Redford-Paul Newman original, but it's better than you'd think. That's because of Lester's terrific sense of slapstick and his ability to deflate legends. He gets Newman and Redford lookalikes Tom Berenger and William Katt and puts them through a series of screwups and miscues, as the two would-be outlaws find that breaking the law is no easy business. Writer Allan Burns's script isn't long on story, but it offers both plausible and entertaining explanations of how these two came to be partners. --Marshall Fine Amazon.com

What A Prequel Should Be: Filling In The Back Stories! And This One Is Great Fun To Boot!

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. June 14, 2008

Fun Western Prequel!

I am dating myself, but I remember seeing this film in the theatres. (Of course, I was 6. Yeah, that's right...six years old. OK, we'll go with that...)

I enjoyed it in my callow youth, and I find that now that I am a little more (ahem) mature, I still enjoy it. It's a cute little film with lots of future stars, a nice pace and altogether an entertaining movie.

But, as I have noted in other reviews of this film, it doesn't really have a plot. Just a series of adventures these two get into. But that's OK, just know what to expect. No plot, just fun little sketches as our heroes go from one predicament to the next.

Both stars (Tom Berenger doing Butch Cassidy, William Katt as Sundance Kid) do a fine job. If you are familiar with the movie that inspired this one ("Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford) you'll see some similarities in these stars. Katt (who later went on to be in "The Greatest American Hero" and "Perry Mason" in the '80s) has a certain look around the eyes and mouth that is Redford-esque (when the lighting is right). Berenger (Oscar nominated for "Platoon" a few years later) bears some resemblance to Newman at certain angles, and especially when he wears a particular funky hat that Newman also wore. Interesting and ingenious casting choices, in my opinion. (And as an aside, I am still amazed at how slender and trim Berenger was in this movie!)

Other future stars include Peter Weller ("Buckaroo Banzai" and "Robocop") as the guy who is doggedly determined to track our pair down. Jill Eikenberry ("L.A. Law") plays Butch's wife, Christopher Lloyd ("Back to the Future", "Taxi") plays a partner in crime, and so on.

An excellent score by Patrick Williams should not be overlooked. It is one of the more outstanding parts of this film. Beautiful scenery, a cute script and a likeable cast make this a worthwhile film to watch. Just don't expect too much of a plot. December 16, 2002

Underrated, and underappreciated because of comparison

I love this film, just as much as the 69 Newman/Redford film. This prequel is often compared to its predecessor and is deemed worse because of its lack of a star cast. But these 'unknowns' as they were then, portrayed the young outlaws better than any other actors I can think of.

Berenger has got the charming, motormouth, egotistical Butch down to a tee and Katt's brooding Sundance is just as attractive as Redford's was.

The film has also been accused of having an empty plot, but this just may be because it doesn't have a solid event to deal with and build up to like the first (i.e. their deaths!). But this pretty prequel deals with smaller, but no less entertaining incidents in their lives: their meeting and teeming up, being a hero, Sundance's patented "stop the bleeding" method, Butch's family, O.C. Hank's revenge and, of course, LeFors.

The Early Days also has more jokes, more banter and more action, perhaps making up for the unknown cast? But it really is hilarious with loads of tiny little touches that you will still laugh at every time you watch it.

It's a gem, and deserves to sit up there on the shelf next to the 1969 version. August 13, 2000

Not good at all...

Tom Barrenger and William katt star as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid. Only watched the video once and it sat in my video cabinet collecting dust. Tom barrenger's role as Butch Cassidy was better then the Sundance Kid role played by William Katt. Butch was the one that was trying to show him the ropes of being a GOOD outlaw.. William Katt comes across as a stuffy know it all. At one point in the film he KICKS a guy in the knee! OVERGROWN BABY!!! If you want to see a true western please check out the original Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid... This one is not watchable over time. Once was quite enough for me. July 4, 2000

Not a Knock-Off, it stands on its own!

Mention this title and most folks roll their eyes, "Oh, just some lame knock-off of the Newman/Redford classic," but not so. This is a really fun and funny movie! It was made years after the Redford/Newman movie, so it wasn't just a rush to make a fast buck before the popularity wore off. The story is solid, the cinematography beautiful and it's filled with little touches that put it a cut above most westerns.

Directed by Richard Lester, who brought us, among other things, A Hard Day's Night, Help and Superman II, but it also has an all-star cast BEFORE THEY WERE STARS! You can see Tom Berenger, William Katt, Jill Eikenberry, Brian Dennehy, Christopher Lloyd and Peter Weller, all before they became famous. Well worth a look, a pleasant surprise for all those tired of being disappointed by overly hyped crap at the video store. June 1, 1999

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