A Juventude de Butch Cassidy

Whenever I see anyone comment upon this little film, they immediately begin by blasting it because it cannot compare with the classic; "Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid."

I personally do not see that this prequel film was trying to meet or exceed 'The Original' but rather, provide a fun addition and a playful homage to it.

Stars Tom Berenger and William Katt do a credible job as young, fumbling and bumbling outlaws trying to hit their style and stride without getting killed in the process. No, they are not Paul Newman and Robert Redford, but they are not playing Butch and Sundance as seasoned vets at THE END of their criminal careers, either. Watching this, I have no trouble accepting it as a humorous glimpse at the formative beginning and early misadventures of The Legends; Butch and Sundance.

Other aspects in this film's favor are grand location scenery and some top notch supporting cast members, including the ever-enjoyable Jeff Corey reprising his role from the classic as Sheriff Ray Bledsoe (try not to notice that Sheriff Bledsoe is mysteriously older in this "Early Days" film ....But then, aren't we all?)

No, it is not a perfect movie--but then, it can be argued that The Original has it's flaws as well. (Director George Roy Hill expressed his own regrets on a few aspects of his creation that he was never completely happy with)

Bottom Line: If you can accept NOTHING but Redford & Newman, then stay away from this movie, because they are not in it ...

If however, you can just relax and enjoy the ride, then this is a fun little film.

My advice: Give "Butch And Sundance, The Early Days" a shot-- If it don't thrill you, at least it won't kill you !

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)!

New version about the known bandits concerning their early days and first robberies , it boasts a youthful casting : Tom Berenger and William Katt giving sympathetic acting as the two legendary outlaws on the lam . Traces the origins of the famous outlaw duo Sundance Kid : William Katt , Butch Cassidy : Tom Berenger who carry out banks robbering , escape , and along the way they're continuously pursued by O. C. Hanks : Brian Dennehy and Joe Le Fors : Peter Weller . It deftly blends noisy action , shoot-outs , spoof Western with delightful performances . This movie is based on real events about But Cassidy and Sundance Kid and previously adapted to cinema by George Roy Hill with Robert Redford and Paul Newman , destinated to become a classic that renewed the buddy film industry . The picture is an enjoyable Western-comedy with interesting characterizing about the celebrated leaders of the ¨Wild Bunch gang¨ of train robbers , they were one of the last old-style bandits of the West . With a clever storyline by Allan Burns based on the characters created by writer William Goldman, including humanly fallible roles and warm, witty dialogue . Besides , appearing veterans actors as Jeff Corey , John Schuck, Peter Weller, Brian Dennehy , Christopher Lloyd, Jill Eikenberry , Vincent Schiavelli , Arthur Hill, Noble Willingham, and Michael C. Gwynne as Mike Cassidy, the Butch's mentor. The film displays a stunning score by Patrick Williams as well as colorful cinematography by László Kovács. The motion picture was competent and professionally directed by Richard Lester though failed at boxoffice.

Other versions about these two popular roles are : ¨The Legend of Butch & Sundance¨ (2004) by Sergio Mimica , this film is well played by a juvenile cast, such as : David Clayton Rogers, Ryan Browning and a gorgeous Rachelle Lefevre, playing to Etta Place. And the classic rendition ¨Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid¨ (1969) with Newman , Redford and Katharine Ross as the beautiful , willing ex-school teacher Etta. Adding more details about the Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid and Etta Place life, their true deeds were the following ones : they were celebrated leaders of the Wild Bunch gang of train robbers, and the last old-style bandits of the West. Cassidy, born in Utah, grandson of a Mormon bishop, his real name was Robert Parker. He adopted the name Cassidy in admiration of Mike Cassidy, a rustler who taught him to shoot and steal livestock , he was dubbed Butch from his short time working in a butcher's shop. He was convicted of stealing horses .By all accounts Butch was a likable fellow, described in a Pinkerton wanted poster as a having a cheerful and affable manner. It is said that, although a crack shot, he never killed anybody, and disliked gratuitous violence. Still determined on a life of crime he formed a gang, known as the Wild Bunch and robbed banks and trains. One of the gang was Harry Longbaugh, known as the Sundance Kid. This notorious pair became rustlers in the mid-90s, and they moved into train robberies, later, gaining fame and fortune but with the Pinkerton and railroad agents hot on their trail. Plus, Etta Place, fabled as the lover of Sundance Kid, it is very likely that Etta did take part in robberies, notably the hold up of Up Train in August 1900, dressed as a man. She did not, however died in Bolivia ambush that killed Butch and Sundance, since she was undergoing surgery on her appendix at the time. The Wild Bunch broke up and Cassidy and Longsbaugh sailed to South America in 1901 and continued their banditry there. It is believed they died in a gunfight with troops in Bolivia, near La Paz or Uruguay.

Under-Shown, under-appreciated, underrated and vastly overlooked gem. An entertaining little western with good performances and situations and with some genuinely funny lines. Look for Christopher Lloyd and John Schuck in brief but humorous character roles, and the menacing Brian Dennehy who offsets William Katt in the film's main gunfight. By no means the heavyweight and complex picture starring Newman and Redford that we all know and love but it gets along quite amiably on its own merits and does nothing at all to offend or tarnish the memory of George Roy Hill's classic. Still, one wonders just how great and memorable the premise could have been if it had been produced in the 90's with Matthew McConaughey and Brad Pitt as the younger Butch and Sundance. Think about it. While you do, pour yourself a shot of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid then watch Early days as the chaser.

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.