This is a two disc collectors Edition and it is very reasonably priced.
Jeremy and I both watched it and we’ll each give you our takes on it.
Jeremy:
I hope, oh I do so hope, that I do not need to actually explain Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I am going to assume that all of you know the classic I am writing about. You have likely heard about the legendary chemistry between Paul Newman and Robert Redford.
I am a huge fan of the film and would put it in any list of all-time greats. Redford and Newman have done only two films together, but are as great an on-screen duo as Tracy and Hepburn. BC&TSK took an approach to the western that was not the norm. Armed with an amazing script (courtesy of William Goldman) and a charismatic pair of stars, George Hill delivered a western that was unlike any before it. Though initially panned, this film is now viewed as a true American classic, and with good reason.
This is the third dvd release of this film. Since they have gone to the well three times, I felt that I needed to truly view this package with a critical eye.
This collector’s Edition is genuinely chocked full of cinematic goodness. Fans of behind the scenes features should enjoy the new feature that takes a very close look at the events that brought this film to the screen. You will find out the actual reason why Steve McQueen did not star opposite Newman. You will learn how much controversy there was regarding the insertion of the musical scene of Newman riding his bike with Raindrops keep fallin’ on my head playing in the background. The original script was over 400 pages long and needed to be cut in half.
If you are a fan of extras and enjoy learning about what goes into a film, this is worth the money. If you do not own Butch and Sundance, this is the one to get. If you have purchased the previous two, I would say the bonus features are worth having.
Buy Butch Cassidy and The SUndance Kid Special Edition
Jon:
I remeber seeing this on the big screen when it first came out. I was pretty young, but I loved every minute of it. I’ve also worn out a VHS copy of it. When we started collecting DVDs I was very happy to see special editions of movies with extra features. SOme are good, some are a joke. But true collectors editions are truly a wonderful addition to a collection. The Criterion Edition of The Third Man is a good example of this.
Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid is a real film classic and deserving of a truly special edition. The screenplay by William Goldman is wonderful,the acting is top notch and the dirrecting is great. The first in a new age of Buddy Films, this started a new trend. It’s also called the last of the westerns, however I beleive that the western has made a bit of a comeback startig with Siverado. But the new westerns all owe a tip of the cowboy hat to this movie. It added humor and used music wonderfully. It’s what a great movie should be. Chances are you’ve seen the film so I don’t need to blather on much more about the actual film.
The DVD is great. The transfer is perfect, crystal clear. The Sound quality rocks.
And the Extra Features…. oh the extra features.
New interviews including Newman , Redford and Kathrine Ross. The true story of Butch and the Kid, Deleted scencs, and a bunch more. This is the way all special discs should be. Plus the price is very reasonable. And on Amazon it’s on;y $16.00 !!!
This is a must have DVD.I’ve watched it twice already, I kid you not.
Buy Butch Cassidy and The SUndance Kid Special Edition