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Butch and Sundance

5/19/2014

11 Comments

 
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     Tonight I put on one of my all-time favorite movies, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” As I settled in to thoroughly enjoy it for the umpteenth time, I couldn’t help but ask myself, “What is the appeal of this movie? Why is it a classic when, when it first debuted, critics almost universally panned it?”

     It’s been played hundreds if not thousands of times on the big screen, network television, cable television, VCR, DVD, and BlueRay. And I’ve bought into it in every form. When I was a kid and there were only three networks available (ABC, CBS, and NBC) I scheduled my months around its showing. When cable television expanded to include more than a half-dozen stations, I scheduled my month around it. When VCR conquered BETA MAX in the early 1980’s, I bought the VCR Cassette (un-Godly priced, and in all its edited-to-fit-your-screen-and-for-family-friendly-viewing-format), but then I could watch it when I wanted –which I did, over and over again. When my best friend confessed that he had not seen it (along with “Little Big Man”) I almost choked and MADE him go to the theater (they were playing in a double-billing, which REALLY shows my age) to watch it.

     So why does this film resonate with so many? (Okay, I won’t include others in this post, although the film’s popularity and universal recognition as a classic kind of does that for me.)

     Sure, Paul Newman and Robert Redford star in it. They are, arguably, the best looking actors of their generation –and two of the best at their craft. But I think the reasons go far beyond that.

     The reason is unconditional love.

     Now, the term “unconditional” is bandied about quite a bit lately, but how many can honestly…truly…say that it’s true? One can say they love their mate “unconditionally,” but what happens if the spouse reveals a string of infidelities that simply boggle the mind?

     “Unconditionally” quickly becomes, “Well, I meant that, but I never thought it would reach this point.”

     Sure, there may be those who will immediately go towards the homo-erotic thing in regards to the film, but I don’t think that’s the case here.


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     I think what the film portrays, to an extent very few films do, is the connection between two people that transcends sex, love, and even mutual passion. It’s about two people who connect on an intellectual/belief/soul level: Who accept themselves and appreciate each other for who they are, unconditionally –two people who instinctively know and understand what the other brings to the relationship, and who (perhaps, subconsciously) appreciate those qualities without judgment.

     Yes, the characters nag each other and even make reference to each other as “being an old lady.” But how else to explain the (almost) sharing of one woman? How else to explain the devotion to each other even as other members of their gang are killed and/or dispersed? How else to explain their mutual agreement to flee the U.S. and head for Bolivia? How else to explain their shared sense of humor, sense of displacement, and sense of inevitability? How else to explain two individuals who know their death is imminent, but are able to accept it –and even joke about it—as long as they’re together?

     How many have known or even slightly experienced a relationship like that?

     It’s the stuff of legend. It’s the stuff of Hollywood. It simply cannot happen in real life.

     But wouldn’t it be cool if it could?


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*If you’ve not yet viewed “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (and shame on you if you haven’t), it’s available on DVD, BluRay, Netflix, et.al.*

*And if you enjoyed the film and love character driven stories, make sure to check out “Blackthorn,” a (somewhat) sequel to the Butch Cassidy legend starring Sam Shepherd*   


11 Comments
Kathleen
5/20/2014 04:00:58 am

And at least the almost shared woman was Katherine Ross. Who wouldn't go there?

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Joe link
6/18/2014 01:02:43 pm

Good point, Kathleen. Good point.

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Claudia Schmidt link
5/20/2014 10:57:37 am

And, you forgot to mention that Paul Newman and Robert Redford were/are about the 2 handsomest and coolest men on the planet, just another little incentive to watch the movie. One of my favorite all time flicks. And the song -- corny, I know, but still. You had to love it. And that bike scene with Redford, very sweet. And the jump off the cliff......I could go on and on. Thanks for reminding me. Maybe I can get my kids to watch it with me. :)

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Joe link
6/18/2014 01:04:07 pm

I have to watch it about once a year, Claudia. It's almost a tradition. Well, this and The Godfather. lol

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Patti
5/21/2014 03:10:30 pm

I think if we are fortunate enough to experience the kind of relationship you describe with someone other than Jesus Christ, it is a relationship that will come around only once in a life time. As humans we are hopeful to achieve unconditional love, but we are only human and doubts do set in from time to time. Thank you for your thoughts.

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Joe link
6/18/2014 01:06:54 pm

Good point Patti. Hollywood does tend to idealize/romanticize a lot of relationship types.

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Beth Browning link
5/24/2014 11:34:49 am

Fun post :) This is one of my favorite movies as well - and yes it would be cool if relationships could happen like this in real life.

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William link
5/24/2014 04:03:16 pm

Thanks, Beth!. I think the relationship angle of this film is what really makes it a classic. It's one of the first "buddy" films, but I at the same time I think it transcends that genre. I'm glad you like the film and the post!

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Susan link
5/25/2014 01:59:46 am

Agreed Beth Browning!

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Sam
5/25/2014 01:37:21 am

Great post! Great movie!

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William link
5/25/2014 01:46:42 am

Thanks Sam!

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    William Martin

    Just observing, sometimes remembering, often shaking my head, then writing.

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