Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Director George Roy Hill's freewheeling, Oscar-winning comic western was one of the biggest box-office hits in the genre's history. It features the unforgettable pairing of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, whose exhilarating performances turn the ruthless real-life desperados into lovable rogues and ultimately tragic heroes.

The critic praises the note-perfect performances by Newman and Redford, William Goldman's playful and insightful screenplay, and the film's memorable moments like the waterfall leap and elegiac ending. They conclude it may be the most likeable film ever made, despite some twee elements and its role in popularising the buddy movie.

The film is immensely enjoyable to watch, glowingly photographed, wittily scripted, and features superbly confident performances from Paul Newman and Robert Redford. It plays as a buddy movie more than a traditional western, with a playful tone and relaxed double act from the leads.

The review positions the film as the gold standard for modern buddy comedies, lauding its witty, irreverent dialogue and the charismatic performances of Newman and Redford that blend tragedy with fun and timeless star power.

The critic finds the film a rollicking, spectacularly effective entertainment that still works well today. They single out the magical Newman-Redford chemistry, Goldman’s lively script, Bacharach’s score and Conrad Hall’s photography for particular praise.

The critic calls it a great and exceptionally popular film, praising William Goldman's screenplay, the perfectly cast stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford, George Roy Hill's direction, and innovative techniques like the score, cinematography, and editing that sustain its legendary aura.

The review calls the film great entertainment that remains fresh and mould-breaking. It singles out the quirky, convention-defying approach, gorgeous locations and the three attractive leads for praise.

A lighthearted near-comedy with strong exploitation potential and star power that sustains interest through episodic structure and satisfying direction. Technical credits, especially photography and score, are superior.

Redford and Newman star in one of the funniest if slightest Westerns of recent years, with an often hilarious script and strong interplay between the stars. It is unashamedly escapist but borrows heavily from The Wild Bunch and other films, making it slightly the worse for some of those influences.

The critic finds it a thoroughly and determinedly entertaining film that is hard to fault and keeps the audience constantly amused. They single out the pokey, cooler-than-cool script and the straight-faced performances of Newman and Redford, while noting that the constant diversion leaves the film without a clear centre.

Hill and Goldman mix genres in a slick but empty way, with signs of a better film behind the gags. Strong performances and handsome production are undermined by technical tricks and a gnawing emptiness.

The film is slow and disappointing despite good laughs and performances. The bloated production and overly cute script undermine what could have been a strong Western.

The facetious Western rings false with comical dialogue and an embarrassing tone that the director cannot pull off. It will likely be a hit due to the title and stars but lacks substance.

The pairing of Newman's quick-witted Cassidy and Redford's brooding Sundance makes for a classic buddy formula that still feels fresh and amusing decades later. The film is well-paced and masterful overall, though the dated soundtrack and one uneasy scene involving sexual tension are minor flaws.