Monday, 28 August 2023

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969 George Roy Hill)

"Don't hit your mother with a shovel
It leaves a dull impression on the mind."

I asked Q if she wanted to watch a film with Paul Newman and Robert Redford written by William Goldman. How could you not? She did. 'Oh,' I added, 'it's photographed by Conrad Hall'.



Having just watched The Road to Perdition, you can see how far photography had advanced in thirty years, but it's still a brilliantly shot film.

Some of the 'editing' is rather wonderfully in-camera - so the sheriff trying to muster a hunting party, and the camera tracks up to the hotel window where Butch is sat watching them.

I like the fact that Butch is 'a soft touch, takes too expensive holidays, and buys drinks for everybody'. And their real names. That Bolivia montage is an expert example of a montage moving the story forward.

Won Oscars for screenplay, cinematography, music and song, with Hill, Film and Sound nominated.

No comments:

Post a Comment