The late, great Robert Redford changed the course of cinematic history when he starred in Butch Cᴀssidy and the Sundance Kid. Along with his co-star Paul Newman, Redford represented the pinnacle of movie star charisma, and this groundbreaking Western signaled the beginning of the New Hollywood movement, as well as a shift toward a modern mode of filmmaking.

Redford has had numerous incredible roles, but on September 24, 1969, filmgoers first got to witness his career-defining performance as the Sundance Kid. With a blend of fast-paced action, a unique sense of humor, and a dash of bromance, Butch Cᴀssidy and the Sundance Kid was unlike any Western that came before it.

Critical Reaction To Butch Cᴀssidy And The Sundance Kid Wasn’t Positive 56 Years Ago

It’s hard to imagine now, but the initial response to Butch Cᴀssidy and the Sundance Kid was lukewarm, as critics weren’t accustomed to just how groundbreaking the movie actually was. The use of contemporary music, such as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” caught reviews off guard, as they were largely unfamiliar with modern pop culture infiltrating the Western genre.

Film critics like Vincent Canby from the New York Times called Butch Cᴀssidy “very funny in a strictly contemporary way,” but commented that the slick direction gave the film a feeling of “emptiness.” Roger Ebert (via the Chicago Sun-Times) scored the film 2.5 out of 4, praising the lead actors but finding the movie too slow.

Time magazine stated that Redford and Newman were “afflicted with cinematic schizophrenia,” as the way their characters shifted from Western hero archetypes into witty comedians whose dialogue “could have been lifted from a Batman and Robin episode,” felt off. Looking back, it’s funny how these are exactly the things viewers came to love about Butch Cᴀssidy.

Why Butch Cᴀssidy And The Sundance Kid Is Now Considered A Masterpiece

The influence of Butch Cᴀssidy and the Sundance Kid has been widespread, and it’s now easy to see how this film pointed toward Hollywood’s future. By taking the true story of real Wild West outlaws and combining it with comedy, romance, and tragedy, the genre-bending style of this George Roy Hill movie signaled a move away from traditional shoot-’em-up formulas.

Redford and Newman had a natural chemistry, and their quick-witted, playful dialogue laid the foundation for the bantering buddy dynamic later seen in action classics like 48 Hrs., Lethal Weapon, and even Bad Boys. With empathetic performances, Butch and Sundance were likable bandits audiences could relate to.

Even the story of two outlaws on the run after a string of train robberies felt like it tapped into the countercultural feeling of the time. Like all great movies, Butch Cᴀssidy was a product of its era, and its themes of rebellion, freedom, and disillusionment were particularly relevant to young people in the late 1960s.

From a purely stylistic point of view, Butch Cᴀssidy and the Sundance Kid was groundbreaking, as its inventive editing, its use of freeze-frame, and its clever montages felt fresh and modern. Whether it was its script, performances, or mise-en-scène, everything about it came together to redefine what a Western could be and cemented its status as a true masterpiece.

The Sundance Kid Is Robert Redford’s Greatest Role

Following the death of Robert Redford on September 16, 2025, audiences have been looking back at his extraordinary career. Whether it was his Oscar-nominated role in the Best Picture-winning classic The Sting or his groundbreaking exploration of the Watergate scandal in All the President’s Men, Redford truly left his mark on Hollywood.

However, it’s clear that the Sundance Kid stands out as Redford’s greatest role, as this was the part that transformed him from a promising young actor into a major Hollywood leading man. Redford’s sharp banter with Newman set a new gold standard for onscreen duos, and it’s still the benchmark by which all other buddy films are judged.

Sundance became the archetype of the charming outlaw, as his irresistibly cool persona, paired with unpredictable danger, meant audiences loved to watch him. Yet, Sundance was not a one-note character, as Redford combined his toughness with a real sense of vulnerability that showcased both humor and humanity.

Butch Cᴀssidy And The Sundance Kid Has A Legacy Beyond The Big Screen

Credit: Aurore Marechal/ABACA/INSTARimages.com

For Robert Redford and Paul Newman, Butch Cᴀssidy and the Sundance Kid meant more than redefining the Western. Newman honored it with his Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, while Redford built the Sundance Film Festival; each used their iconic roles to create lasting legacies that spread goodness far beyond Hollywood.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was named after Butch and the Sundance Kid’s notorious gang of outlaws and is a non-profit organization and residential summer camp that aims to help children and families coping with chronic illness. Newman founded the organization in 1988, and it continues to provide ᴀssistance to children to this day.

Redford founded the Sundance Film Festival in 1978, now the largest independent film festival in the U.S., celebrating fresh voices and authentic storytelling. Just as Butch Cᴀssidy and the Sundance Kid broke new ground in Hollywood, Sundance gives under-the-radar films the chance to shine outside the traditional Hollywood and Academy Awards spotlight.

It’s been exactly 56 years since Butch Cᴀssidy and the Sundance Kid hit theaters and kick-started a new era in Hollywood history. It’s a testament to the enduring power of this movie that it has not lost any of its spark all these decades later, and its influence can be felt in everything from modern buddy cop movies to experimental revisionist Westerns.

Sources: New York Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, Time