A western that stands out among many of today's mediocre westerns

Rating: 9/10 (8 September 2007)

Why it's "bad". I would have liked know a little more about the man in the white straw hat and his posse. The two main characters open up a conversation about the white hatted man but that's it, and he remains a mystery through out the film. Also,If this movie had been done today, that final shoot out would have definitely been shown in all of its bloody, bullet riddled climax. So what's with the freeze frame? For more specific blood and guts imagery, see The Wild Bunch; another western classic. Why it's damned Good?! Any western film enthusiast who were to list the top 5 westerns of all time would be a fool not to include this one on their list. It's got a little of Everything. I really don't know where to start, and I would bore a reader if I were to list all of it's splendid and great attributes. (Authenticity, Newman & Redford, cinematography, score, comic touch, long chase) Ahah, ahem ... So to name one; It's flow. In todays movies, there's too much cutting away to a "meanwhile" scene. See any of todays movies and it's the next day or it cuts to the next scene with the same character in a matter of seconds. This movie carries you from the 2nd train robbery to the great Butch and Sundance free fall escape and it all takes up a big chunk of the film with a nicely blended, easy, highly entertaining, unflinching, funny, captivating manner that is top notch and rarely paralleled film making. It's flow. I don't care how many times they say "Who are those guys?", I wish they had said it at least one more time" Over all, the classic western is near myth, so please treat yourself if you haven't seen BC&TSDK. Why this one was past over for Midnight Cowboy as best picture Oscar is beyond me.