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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (2014) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (2014) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 57 mins · English
Directed by
John Maggio
Starring
Michael Murphy

This film recounts the story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, notorious outlaws who made headlines with their exploits at the turn of the century. Their crimes led to them being relentlessly pursued by Pinkerton detectives employed by the railroads. The historical events surrounding these figures inspired a popular movie released in 1969.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (2014)

Where can you watch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Kanopy, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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3 main characters · contains spoilers

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (2014), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Butch Cassidy (portrayed by unknown)

    Butch Cassidy is portrayed as a charismatic and clever leader, known for his trickery and optimism. Despite his outlaw status, he is amiable and seeks a better life, often dreaming of fleeing to distant lands.

    • 🧠 Clever
    • 🤝 Charismatic
    • 🌟 Leader
  • Sundance Kid (portrayed by unknown)

    Sundance Kid is depicted as a calm, deadly marksman with a laconic personality. He is fiercely loyal to Cassidy and often acts as his steadying counterpoint, symbolizing silence and precision.

    • 🎯 Dead-shot
    • 🤫 Reserved
    • 🛡️ Loyal
  • Etta Place (portrayed by unknown)

    Etta Place is portrayed as a resourceful and determined woman who becomes a partner to Cassidy and Sundance. She helps them adapt to new environments and is a vital part of their journey.

    • ❤️ Loyal
    • 🧠 Intelligent
    • 🌟 Supportive

Last updated: August 05, 2025 at 06:56

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Setting

Where and When Does Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Take Place?

The setting of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (2014): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

1899

Set at the turn of the 20th century, the film captures the waning days of the American Old West. This era was marked by outlaws, rapid technological change, and the expansion of the railroads. It also reflects the period's lawlessness and the pursuit of new frontiers, both in the United States and globally, such as in Bolivia and Australia.

Location

Wyoming, Bolivia, Australia

The movie spans multiple locations, starting in the rugged wilderness of Wyoming where outlaws hide and plan their crimes. It then moves to the South American country of Bolivia, portrayed as a wild frontier where the outlaws seek refuge and new ways to rob banks. Finally, it ventures to Australia, depicted as a distant, untamed land promising new opportunities and peril for the outlaws.

  • 🏞️ Western
  • 🌎 Diverse
  • 🏜️ Remote

Last updated: August 05, 2025 at 06:56

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3 major themes

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (2014) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Identity

    The film explores the characters' struggle with their identities as outlaws versus men seeking a different life. Cassidy and Sundance confront their past through their actions and choices, revealing the complex nature of their characters—both charming and ruthless.

  • Escape

    A central theme is the desire to escape the relentless pursuit of law enforcement and the consequences of their illegal lifestyle. The characters continually seek refuge in new territories, embodying the restless human need to flee from their problems.

  • Friendship

    The enduring bond between Cassidy and Sundance highlights the importance of friendship amid chaos. Their loyalty and camaraderie are integral to their identities, providing a sense of companionship in their turbulent lives.

Last updated: August 05, 2025 at 06:56

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Character & theme questions

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (2014): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie spans three main locations: Wyoming's rugged wilderness where outlaws hide and plan crimes, Bolivia depicted as a wild frontier where they seek refuge, and Australia shown as a distant untamed land offering new opportunities and peril.

  • wyoming
  • bolivia
  • australia
  • locations
  • setting
  • frontier
Q2

What time period does the movie take place in?

The movie is set in 1899, at the turn of the 20th century during the waning days of the American Old West. This era was marked by outlaws, rapid technological change, and the expansion of railroads.

  • 1899
  • time period
  • old west
  • turn of century
  • historical era
Q3

What are the main themes of the movie?

The film explores three core themes: Identity, as the characters struggle with being outlaws versus seeking a different life; Escape, as they constantly flee from law enforcement and the consequences of their crimes; and Friendship, highlighting the enduring bond between Cassidy and Sundance.

  • themes
  • identity
  • escape
  • friendship
  • outlaws
  • loyalty
Q4

Who is Butch Cassidy in the movie?

Butch Cassidy is portrayed as a charismatic and clever leader known for his trickery and optimism. Despite his outlaw status, he is amiable and dreams of fleeing to distant lands to escape his criminal past.

  • butch cassidy
  • character
  • leader
  • charismatic
  • outlaw
Q5

Who is the Sundance Kid?

The Sundance Kid is depicted as a calm, deadly marksman with a laconic personality. He is fiercely loyal to Cassidy and serves as his steadying counterpoint, embodying silence and precision.

  • sundance kid
  • marksman
  • loyal
  • character
  • outlaw
Q6

Who is Etta Place?

Etta Place is a resourceful and determined woman who becomes a partner to both Cassidy and Sundance. She helps them adapt to new environments and plays a vital part in their journey.

  • etta place
  • character
  • supporting character
  • partner
Q7

Why is the setting important to the story?

The diverse settings from Wyoming to Bolivia to Australia reflect the outlaws' constant flight from law enforcement. Each location represents a new frontier and the restless human desire to escape problems, which is central to the film's theme of escape.

  • setting importance
  • frontier
  • flight
  • escape
  • law enforcement
Q8

What does the movie say about friendship?

The film emphasizes that friendship provides companionship amid chaos. The bond between Cassidy and Sundance is integral to their identities, showing loyalty as a defining force in their turbulent lives.

  • friendship
  • cassidy sundance bond
  • loyalty
  • companionship
Q9

How does the movie explore identity?

The film examines how Cassidy and Sundance confront their past through their actions and choices, revealing their complex nature as both charming and ruthless individuals struggling with their identities as outlaws.

  • identity
  • outlaw identity
  • character complex
  • choices
Q10

What is the tone of the movie?

The movie has a predominantly melancholic tone, established by nostalgic narration and the story's focus on the fleeting nature of the outlaw lifestyle. It balances this with medium intensity action and quieter reflective moments, creating a romanticized rather than purely bleak atmosphere.

  • tone
  • mood
  • melancholic
  • nostalgic
  • atmosphere
Q11

What does the movie say about the Old West era?

The film captures a period of transition when the American Old West was ending. It reflects the era's lawlessness, the rise of railroads, and the technological changes that would soon eliminate the outlaw lifestyle.

  • old west
  • railroads
  • lawlessness
  • historical context
  • western era

Movie threads

More Movies Like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Fatalistic outlaw movies like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Romanticized tales of notorious figures chased by an inevitable, tragic end. If you liked the adventurous yet melancholic story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, explore more movies about legendary outlaws on the run. These films capture the romanticized spirit of rebellion against the system, blended with the tension of pursuit and the sadness of an inevitable end.

  • fatalistic
  • adventurous
  • nostalgic
  • tense
  • companionable
  • reflective
  • Tone: melancholic, adventurous, tense
  • Pacing: steady, chronological
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear path from initial glory and freedom to escalating pressure from a relentless pursuer. The journey is defined by a growing sense of doom, where moments of camaraderie and daring action are punctuated by the knowledge that the world is closing in, leading to a final, often tragic, confrontation.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the outlaw mythos, a steady pacing that builds tension, and a melancholic tone that romanticizes the past while acknowledging a grim fate. They balance medium-intensity action with reflective moments, creating a specific bittersweet vibe.

Movies about doomed friendships like in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Stories where a powerful bond is tested by a shared, inescapable fate. Viewers who enjoyed the loyal but tragic partnership in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid will find similar stories here. These films focus on duos or close groups whose deep bond is the heart of the story, set against a backdrop of conflict that leads to a bittersweet or sad ending.

  • companionable
  • melancholic
  • loyalty
  • fatalistic
  • bittersweet
  • reflective
  • Tone: companionable, melancholic, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot revolves around the dynamics of a key relationship—often a partnership or friendship—facing external pressures. The steady pacing allows the bond to develop through shared experiences, making the impending tragedy more impactful. The journey is as much about their connection as it is about the external conflict.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their emphasis on a 'companionable' mood, where the chemistry between characters carries the emotional weight. They share a melancholic or bittersweet tone and a medium emotional intensity, creating stories that are moving but not overwhelmingly bleak, focused on relationship arcs.

Every angle

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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