Butch and Sundance - The Early Days

Starring:William Katt, Tom Berenger, Jeff Corey, John Schuck, Michael C. Gwynne, Peter Weller, Brian Dennehy, Christopher Lloyd, Jill Eikenberry, Joel Fluellen, Regina Baff, Peter Brocco, Vincent Schiavelli, Hugh Gillin, Sherill Lynn Rettino, Jack Riley (II), Charles Knapp, John Megna, Frank Doubleday, John Mark Robinson
Director: Richard Lester
Studio: Anchor Bay
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

Fun Western Prequel!.......2002-12-16

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.

Underrated, and underappreciated because of comparison.......2000-08-14

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.

Not good at all..........2000-07-04

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.

Not a Knock-Off, it stands on its own!.......1999-06-02

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.

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