Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1003 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-08-27
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL, Special Edition, Widescreen
• Original language: English, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 106 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Dating from 1969, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has never lost its popularity or its unusual appeal as a star-driven Western that tinkers with the genre's conventions and comes up with something both terrifically entertaining and--typical of its period--a tad paranoid. Paul Newman plays the legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy as an eternal optimist and self-styled visionary, conjuring dreams of banks just ripe for the picking all over the world. Robert Redford is his more level-headed partner, the sharp-shooting Sundance Kid. The film, written by William Goldman (The Princess Bride) and directed by George Roy Hill (The Sting), basically begins as a freewheeling story about robbing trains but soon becomes a chase as a relentless posse--always seen at a great distance like some remote authority--forces Butch and Sundance into the hills and, finally, Bolivia. Weakened a little by feel-good inclinations (a scene involving bicycle tricks and the song "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" is sort of Hollywood flower power), the film maintains an interesting tautness, and the chemistry between Redford and Newman is rare. (A factoid: Newman first offered the Sundance part to Jack Lemmon.) --Tom Keogh, Amazon.com

On the DVD: This anamorphic widescreen print of the 2.35:1 Panavision original looks marvellously crisp, highlighting the sepia tinting and washed-out, over-exposed look of the film nicely and making the best of the deep focus cinematography. The mono soundtrack sounds clean and clear in Dolby 2.0. The commentary track is hosted by documentary-maker Robert Crawford with contributions from George Roy Hill, cinematographer Conrad Hall, and lyricist Hal David (who chips in during the "Raindrops" sequence). The 40-minute documentary dates from 1968 and is narrated by director Hill, who talks in detail about the making-of process, comments on his relationship with the three principals (Katharine Ross was the difficult one apparently), and adds little nuggets such as how they sprayed the bull's testicles to make him charge at the end of the bicycle scene. Also included are a series of absorbing 1994 interviews with all the main players: Newman, Redford, Ross, writer William Goldman, and composer Burt Bacharach. Trailers, Production Notes and an Alternate Credit Roll complete an attractive package. --Mark Walker

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

Audio Commentary by Director George Roy Hill, lyricist Hal David, Associate Producer Robert Crawford and Cinematographer Conrad Hall
Seven Interview Clips, including contributions from Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Burt Bacharach, William Goldman and Katherine Ross
40-minute Documentary--The Making of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
Three Theatrical Trailers
Alternative Credit Roll
Production Notes
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Ratio: 2.35:1 widescreen (enhanced for 16:9 TVs)
Sound: 2.0 Mono
Subtitles: English for the Hard of Hearing

Synopsis
This revisionist Western comedy, which served as the prototype of the buddy film for years to come, stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, respectively. At the turn of the 20th century, they've become notorious for the skill with which they and their colleagues, the Hole in the Wall gang, rob banks and trains. But their last few jobs have been botched, and after Butch and Sundance return from a brief vacation, Harvey Logan (Ted Cassidy) challenges Butch's leadership. After comically snuffing the rebellion, Butch agrees with one of the gang on risking the double robbery of a Union Pacific payroll train. Despite blowing up the entire baggage car, they survive the first stage of the robbery and spend some down time with Sundance's girl, schoolteacher Etta Place (Katharine Ross). But after hitting the train on its return trip, Butch and Sundance are relentlessly pursued by a posse of world-class lawmen planted on board by the wily railroad president. Realizing that their days are numbered, the outlaws head for Bolivia. The film, which launched the career of Redford and boosted George Roy Hill's to another level, owes its ineffable charm to the terrific chemistry between the two stars, to William Goldman's warm and witty screenplay, and to a director capable of walking a tightrope between the comic and the elegaic.

Customer Reviews

Worthy DVD
A fine DVD of the classic western famous for the witty by-play between Newman and Redford and the luminous photography by the distingushed Conrad Hall,this has some interesting extras,most of all a rarely-seen documentary of the film with fascinating behind the scenes footage, narrated by the director George Roy Hill.PARENTS BE WARNED!! though;Hill comes out with a few choice expletives during his commentary,so it should not be shown to young children.The DVD notes should've made this clearer,but barring this minor quibble it's an excellent all-round package of one of Hollywood's best remembered westerns.

A western with a difference
Not to be confused with Wayne, Scott, Stewart westerns, as good as they were, this is almost a genre all of its own, a sixties cult that hasn't aged probably due to it being set in days long gone. Redford and Newman bring to life the characters of Butch and Sundance (whether accurately or not it dosent really matter), and you really would forgive them anything. The whole film is done with such style and humour that for a while you enter a new world, something which all great films do. The filming is beautiful and the attractiveness of the stars including Katherine Ross who is stunningly gorgeous just makes the film one which you will remember forever.

Super Cassidy and Fantastic Kid
There is nothing else to say apart from: This is an all time great.