Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

In Wyoming, circa the 1900s, two notorious outlaws, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, lead the infamous Hole in the Wall Gang as they plot another audacious bank heist. Upon their return to their hideout in Hole-in-the-Wall, they discover that the gang has chosen a new leader, Harvey Logan, who dares to challenge Butch to a knife fight. Utilizing a clever ruse, Butch emerges victorious. Inspired by Logan’s ambitious idea of robbing the Union Pacific Flyer, Butch appropriates it as his own strategy, thinking it would yield greater rewards.

The initial robbery unfolds successfully, much to the amusement of Butch and Sundance as they listen to the local Marshal struggle to rally a posse against them. Here, we meet Etta Place, Sundance’s love interest, who becomes a point of rivalry between the two men. A charming sequence follows where Etta and Butch share a delightful, wordless bike ride, beautifully underscored by the song “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.”

However, their fortune turns during the second robbery. Butch’s excessive use of dynamite leads to an unplanned complication: a second train arrives with a posse of six armed men determined to capture the duo. Forced to flee, Butch and Sundance find temporary refuge in a local brothel, only to be betrayed. As they attempt a daring escape by riding double on a single horse, hoping to confuse their pursuers, they quickly find it a futile endeavor. In panic, they venture to a nearby town to seek amnesty from a friendly sheriff, played by Jeff Corey, only to learn it’s a hopeless cause and that they will be relentlessly pursued until death.

As they continue to evade capture, the duo ceaselessly discuss the identities of their formidable pursuers, fixating on notable figures like Lord Baltimore, a skillful Indian tracker, and Joe Lefors, a formidable lawman easily recognizable by his white skimmer hat. Climbing treacherous mountains, they unexpectedly find themselves cornered at the edge of a canyon. With foes closing in, they take a leap of faith into the river below, despite Sundance’s inability to swim.

Later, they rendezvous at Etta’s home, where local newspapers outline the extensive manhunt for them, revealing the bountiful incentives placed on their heads. Realizing they must flee the country, the trio sets their sights on Bolivia. After a series of adventures across New York, they find themselves in a small Bolivian village. Sundance expresses his disgust at their predicament, especially when their initial robbery fails due to their lack of Spanish proficiency. Etta helps them learn the necessary phrases, but their subsequent attempts to rob the bank become increasingly comical and haphazard.

Their growing notoriety soon leads them to a romantic dinner, where the sight of a man in a white straw hat brings fresh terror. Fearing Lefors is on their trail once more, Butch proposes they abandon their life of crime for a more legitimate job. Embracing this change, they become payroll guards for a mine, overseen by an American named Garris. On their very first day of work, tragedy strikes as they are ambushed by highwaymen. In a cruel twist of fate, Butch finds himself forced to kill for the first time, shattering his long-standing aversion to violence.

Realizing that escaping their violent past is impossible, they revert to their old ways of robbery. Disturbingly, Etta senses impending doom and decides to part ways, unwilling to witness their inevitable downfall. Shortly after, the pair launches a heist on a payroll mule train but are soon recognized in the town of San Vicente. As they enjoy a meal, law enforcement arrives, igniting a fierce gunfight.

Taking refuge in an abandoned house, Butch and Sundance find themselves nearly out of ammunition. In a desperate effort, Butch dashes for the mules to retrieve more supplies while Sundance provides cover, skillfully taking down several Bolivian policemen. However, their efforts are in vain against overwhelming odds, as Butch and Sundance become cornered and gravely wounded.

As they tend to their injuries, a battalion of Bolivian cavalry surrounds the building, intent on capturing the infamous ‘Bandidos Yanquis.’ Faced with this fatal confrontation, they contemplate fleeing to safer shores. Butch whimsically suggests they flee to Australia, where English is spoken. Ultimately, they make a last-ditch effort to escape, but the scene freezes in a haunting sepia tone as a voice barks the command: > “Fuego!” (Fire), followed by the deafening sound of rifle fire echoing long after their story reaches a tragic conclusion.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 21:02