Les Joyeux Débuts de Butch Cassidy et le Kid

As the first of the modern-day prequels this has something of a bad rep, but baggage aside it's a pretty entertaining yarn. This is the first and only time director Richard Lester ventured into the western genre and he manages to place his own stamp on the film. Much of it takes place during the winter, which provides for a different visual palette (similar to the look of Altman's "McCabe and Mrs. Miller"), and Lester adds his usual throwaway lines to keep things light.

Tom Berenger and William Katt do a good job as Butch and Sundance, and at times Katt's resemblance to Robert Redford is uncanny. Likewise when Berenger wears his hat just so. Joining them are Peter Weller as LeFors (who ends their first encounter by saying ominously, "I'll see you again"), Brian Dennehy as a rustler out for revenge, Vincent Schiavelli as a casino guard, Paul Price (late of Lester's "The Ritz") as a stingy butcher, and John Schuck and Christopher Lloyd as a couple of bumbling outlaws. Also, if you look sharp you can catch Richard Lester's cameo about 34 minutes in, doing a double take during one of the duo's getaways.

All in all, "Butch and Sundance: The Early Days" may not in the same league as the original, but it's a good enough film in its own right, and at least worth a rental.

This unnecessary prequel to a seminal western is still fairly enjoyable on its own and the two leads (Tom Berenger and William Katt), then virtually unknown, mimic Paul Newman and Robert Redford, respectively, surprisingly well; Jeff Corey is even on hand to reprise his role from the earlier film! Good-looking if forgettable entertainment - and curiously straightforward, given the stylization of the original and the involvement of Richard Lester (A HARD DAY'S NIGHT [1964], PETULIA [1968]) who, earlier in the decade, had also directed two rousing adventures, THE THREE MUSKETEERS (1973) and its sequel, THE FOUR MUSKETEERS (1974)!

Whenever I see anyone comment upon this little film, they immediately begin by blasting it because it cannot compare with the classic; "Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid."

I personally do not see that this prequel film was trying to meet or exceed 'The Original' but rather, provide a fun addition and a playful homage to it.

Stars Tom Berenger and William Katt do a credible job as young, fumbling and bumbling outlaws trying to hit their style and stride without getting killed in the process. No, they are not Paul Newman and Robert Redford, but they are not playing Butch and Sundance as seasoned vets at THE END of their criminal careers, either. Watching this, I have no trouble accepting it as a humorous glimpse at the formative beginning and early misadventures of The Legends; Butch and Sundance.

Other aspects in this film's favor are grand location scenery and some top notch supporting cast members, including the ever-enjoyable Jeff Corey reprising his role from the classic as Sheriff Ray Bledsoe (try not to notice that Sheriff Bledsoe is mysteriously older in this "Early Days" film ....But then, aren't we all?)

No, it is not a perfect movie--but then, it can be argued that The Original has it's flaws as well. (Director George Roy Hill expressed his own regrets on a few aspects of his creation that he was never completely happy with)

Bottom Line: If you can accept NOTHING but Redford & Newman, then stay away from this movie, because they are not in it ...

If however, you can just relax and enjoy the ride, then this is a fun little film.

My advice: Give "Butch And Sundance, The Early Days" a shot-- If it don't thrill you, at least it won't kill you !

Gorgeous scenery, well photographed. Good actors. Sweet tone. Inventive bits that echo the spirit of the previous movie. However, I agree with Leonard Maltin on the one flaw: no story. This movie is more or less a collections of vignettes, sometimes with little to no connection with each other. If there had been a developing story to hang these vignettes on, we would have gotten a movie very close to the quality of the previous movie. But as it is now, it's a simple pleasant movie. Even better when you realize the usual quality of sequels.

I Was surprised by Butch and Sundanese: the early days, since I'm not a big fan of westerns, but this movie was fun. I haven't seen the original Butch Cassey and the Sundanese kid yet, but I'm sure this movie is just as good. MY favorite parts were the snow, taking out a billet out of someone, a skunk spraying his oder at someone, the mountains, the scenery. The movie stars Tom Berenger as Butch Cassidy and William Katt as the Sundance Kid this time around and they did a pretty good job replacing Paul Newman and Robert Redford. John Schuck from McMillan and Wive has a bit part. He is fun to watch- I GIVE BUTCH AND SUNDANCE: THE EARLY YEARS *** OUT OF **** STARS.