Noutions
Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .
JinRoz
For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!
Intcatinfo
A Masterpiece!
CrawlerChunky
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Leofwine_draca
BUTCH AND SUNDANCE: THE EARLY YEARS is a western prequel to BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID; they couldn't make a straight sequel to that movie for obvious reasons. This one sees the notorious duo just starting out, with William Katt (of CARRIE fame) a lot of fun as Sundance and Tom Berenger slightly wooden and uncomfortable as Butch. The film is directed by Richard Lester, of THE THREE MUSKETEERS fame, and much in the spirit of those movies, i.e. very silly, over-directed, and barging its way through genre tropes with high energy and low wit. What does keep this watchable are the minor roles for future greats, with Christopher Lloyd playing a typically goofy role (he gets one of the film's funniest lines), future ROBOCOP Peter Weller a lawman, Vincent Schiavelli a bad guy, and the great Brian Dennehy a typically larger-than-life presence.
classicsoncall
This film has taken a lot of heat for it's role as a prequel to the Paul Newman/Robert Redford classic, but I think if you give it a chance it stands on it's own legs fairly well. The uncanny part of the picture is the remarkable resemblance (most of the time) that Tom Berenger and William Katt have to the stars of the 1969 original. While some of the banter between the two might seem awkward at times, it has the feel of two future buddies getting to know and trust each other and therefore appears more realistic than forced. The nods to the original are apparent without being over done, and it's cool to see Jeff Corey reprise his role as Sheriff Ray Bledsoe, even if he looks older here. Future relationships with characters Harvey Logan and Joe Le Fors are also introduced, creating just enough interest for fans of "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" to keep tuned in to see what happens next. My viewing of the film last night was the first, having over the years shied away from it because of my fondness for the original, but you know what - it was entertaining and one could definitely do worse. I'd recommend a look, even if it's only effect is to make you appreciate the original even more.
MARIO GAUCI
This unnecessary prequel to a seminal western is still fairly enjoyable on its own and the two leads (Tom Berenger and William Katt), then virtually unknown, mimic Paul Newman and Robert Redford, respectively, surprisingly well; Jeff Corey is even on hand to reprise his role from the earlier film! Good-looking if forgettable entertainment - and curiously straightforward, given the stylization of the original and the involvement of Richard Lester (A HARD DAY'S NIGHT [1964], PETULIA [1968]) who, earlier in the decade, had also directed two rousing adventures, THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1973) and its sequel, THE FOUR MUSKETEERS (1974)!
craigjclark
As the first of the modern-day prequels this has something of a bad rep, but baggage aside it's a pretty entertaining yarn. This is the first and only time director Richard Lester ventured into the western genre and he manages to place his own stamp on the film. Much of it takes place during the winter, which provides for a different visual palette (similar to the look of Altman's "McCabe and Mrs. Miller"), and Lester adds his usual throwaway lines to keep things light.Tom Berenger and William Katt do a good job as Butch and Sundance, and at times Katt's resemblance to Robert Redford is uncanny. Likewise when Berenger wears his hat just so. Joining them are Peter Weller as LeFors (who ends their first encounter by saying ominously, "I'll see you again"), Brian Dennehy as a rustler out for revenge, Vincent Schiavelli as a casino guard, Paul Price (late of Lester's "The Ritz") as a stingy butcher, and John Schuck and Christopher Lloyd as a couple of bumbling outlaws. Also, if you look sharp you can catch Richard Lester's cameo about 34 minutes in, doing a double take during one of the duo's getaways.All in all, "Butch and Sundance: The Early Days" may not in the same league as the original, but it's a good enough film in its own right, and at least worth a rental.
