Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid stands out as one of the most beloved Western films of all time. Boasting an impressive 89 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score, it has earned a spot on numerous 'greatest Westerns of all time' lists.
Since its release in September 1969, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has been hailed as a classic American Western buddy film, albeit an unconventional one. Penned by William Goldman and directed by George Roy Hill, the movie takes creative liberties with historical facts to tell the tale of infamous Wild West outlaws Robert LeRoy Parker, alias Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman), and his partner-in-crime, Harry Longabaugh, aka the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford).
Following a string of daring train heists, the duo finds themselves pursued by a relentless US posse. Alongside Sundance's love interest, Etta Place (Katharine Ross), they make a desperate bid for freedom by fleeing to Bolivia.
One of the film's most enduring legacies is the timeless, oft-quoted hit song Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head. Although some, including star Robert Redford, initially felt the song's inclusion in the Western was jarring, director George Roy Hill had a different perspective.
Redford later reflected on the song's impact, saying: "When the film was released, I was highly critical: How did the song fit with the film? There was no rain. At the time, it seemed like a dumb idea. How wrong I was, as it turned out to be a giant hit.", reports the Express.
In its debut week, the movie raked in $82,625 from a mere two cinemas in New York City. It rapidly gained traction and rocketed to the top of the box office charts in both the US and Canada, maintaining this position for two successive weeks.
By the end of 1969, it had amassed $15 million in rentals across North America.
According to Fox's records, the film needed to generate $13.85 million in rentals to cover its costs. However, by December 11, 1970, it had already pulled in a whopping $36.83 million, yielding a substantial profit for the studio.
The film ultimately earned $45.95 million in rentals, and with a final US gross exceeding $100 million, it clinched the title of the highest-grossing film of 1969.
The film didn't just smash box-office records; it also received widespread critical praise, scooping up four Oscars for Best Story and Screenplay – Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score for a Motion Picture (Not a Musical), and Best Song – Original for the Picture.
Praise was heaped on the flim by critics, with one review saying: "It's lighthearted and likeable, a cool, 1960s spin on a genre that at the time had become a little tired."
Another said: "Note-perfect performances, a screenplay steeped in both nostalgia and a timely sense of insight, and anti-heroes you can't help but love: it's no surprise that the always re-watchable Butch And Sundance was once labelled the most likeable film ever made."
A third added: "A beautiful film in every way. The cinematography, characters, story and soundtrack, are all on another level. I simply can't recommend enough."
Meanwhile, another read: "Absolute classic, though you feel it really has no right to be, with that strange, anachronistic Burt Bacharach song in the middle, followed by sepia postcards from the boat trip to South America. Proof in a way that you can hang almost anything on a brilliant script and characters ... and the movie will still work."
Coined as a "non-stop rollercoaster of emotions" by a captivated viewer, their summation expressed: "One of the most fun westerns I've seen and a bromance that makes the movie even more enjoyable. It is a non-stop rollercoaster of emotions and adventures in the life of two bandits thanks to a phenomenal performance by the two leads. A beautifully scripted and shot movie."
The reviewer went on to say: "I can recommend this to people who are just looking for a couple of hours of enjoyable characters, beautiful shots and a compelling story. I will give a 9/10 for a Western, some aspects of the movie didn't work for me but subtract nothing from the overall greatness put on screen."
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is available now on Disney+.
