--- title: "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid" critics_score: 76 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969): what the critics said Critics' score 76 from 14 reviews: 11 positive, 1 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics like it, and the ones writing decades after release like it best. The praise clusters on the Newman and Redford double act: the relaxed, straight-faced interplay between them is mentioned in nearly every review, and several call the film a buddy picture in western clothes rather than a western proper. William Goldman’s script is the next most praised element, described as witty, playful and quotable, with Conrad Hall’s photography and Burt Bacharach’s score picked out by more than one writer. The spread is wide, and it runs along a line in time. The reviews from autumn 1969 are the coolest: The New York Times finds the genre-mixing slick but empty, Roger Ebert calls it slow and over-cute, and The New Yorker thinks the facetious tone rings false. Later writers concede some tweeness, a dated soundtrack and borrowings from The Wild Bunch, but treat those as small faults in something they find thoroughly likeable. ## Radio Times — David Parkinson Rating 5/5. 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. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-hvb1wp/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid/) ## Empire — Bob McCabe Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2013. 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. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/butch-cassidy-sundance-kid-review/) ## Sight and Sound — David Wilson Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 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. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/1629a1be-7805-5278-83cd-d2f12e3cbd84/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid) ## The AV Club — Nathan Rabin Rating A-. 14 June 2006. 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. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-1798201749) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2019. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/23/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-paul-newman-robert-reford) ## The Hollywood Reporter — John Mahoney Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 October 2014. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/butch-cassidy-sundance-kid-review-1969-movie-743856/) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 January 2015. 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. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11359319/Butch-Cassidy-and-the-Sundance-Kid-review.html) ## Variety — Whitney Williams Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 1969. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1969/film/reviews/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-1200422010/) ## Time Out — RM Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 16 January 2012. 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. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid) ## The Times — John Russell Taylor Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 February 1970. 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. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/article/film-review-butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-at-the-carlton-3p83qngvl) ## The New York Times — Vincent Canby Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 1969. 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. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1969/09/25/archives/slapstick-and-drama-cross-paths-in-butch-cassidy.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 1969. 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. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-1969) ## The New Yorker Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 27 September 1969. 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. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1969/09/27/the-bottom-of-the-pit) ## Eye for Film — Sarah Artt Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2006. 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. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-film-review-by-sarah-artt) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid.md