Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" provides a 1080p AVC encoded video with an average bitrate of 31 mbps and a DTS-HD Master Audio Lossless sound at 3.2 mbps. The film, retaining its 2.35:1 theatrical ratio, offers significant improvements over the previous SD releases, notably in background detail and overall resolution. The landscape shots now reveal far sharper details, with noticeable improvements in clarity and character facial features. For instance, the raindrops sequence vividly displays each strand, enhancing the visual richness of the scene. However, the transition to HD has also exposed numerous flaws in the original print, including dirt, scratches, and excessive grain in certain scenes. While these defects are a disappointment, they reflect the state of the original material given the lack of extensive restoration.

The color palette is another area of concern. Although it naturally represents the film's muted tones, the colors aren't as vibrant as expected from an HD transfer. Black levels and shadow details vary significantly throughout the movie, sometimes appearing deep and perceptible, while at other times looking flat and grayish. The contrast level has been noticeably increased over the SD version, but it results in a rather flat image without the desired 3D pop seen in high-quality transfers. Noise is generally not a problem except for a few nighttime shots.

Despite some enhancements in video quality, many parameters fall short of expectations. Detail and contrast appear artificially boosted, resulting in compromised depth and occasional instances of noise and flickering. Key scenes, such as the night pursuit by lawmen, suffer from excessive brightness and contrast manipulation. The sepia tone sequences remain interesting but fail to elevate the overall presentation. The Blu-ray does distinguish itself from previous editions but leaves much to be desired for videophiles looking for top-notch restoration.

Fox has provided an intriguing audio presentation for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" on Blu-ray, offering both the original Mono soundtrack and a DTS-HD Master Lossless 5.1 audio track. While the inclusion of both options caters to different audience preferences, the DTS-HD Master Audio track delivers a somewhat underwhelming experience. The sound field remains largely flat with minimal rear channel activity, creating a mix that feels predominantly front-focused and lacking substantial immersion. There are sporadic moments where the rears come alive—such as in the snake shooting or train explosion scenes—offering a brief yet noticeable increase in enveloping sound. However, these instances are few and far between, leaving much of the film’s audio presentation feeling rather lifeless.

The clarity and quality of dialogue are a redeeming aspect, consistently clear and requiring no additional volume adjustments. The musical sequences, most notably "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," suffer from significant issues, with the piano sounding plasticky and lacking dynamic range. Despite efforts to enhance the soundtrack, the music often feels muddled and unimpressive, likely a limitation of the original source material that no amount of digital processing can fully rectify.

Ultimately, while the DTS-HD Master Audio track was intended to provide a more modern and immersive experience, it falls short in delivering a dynamic sound field or dramatic audio enhancement. Purists will likely appreciate the original Mono option for its fidelity to the film’s initial release, whereas those opting for the Lossless mix may find themselves disappointed by its limited improvements.

The Blu-ray extras for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" retain most of the valuable content from previous releases, albeit with some quality fluctuations. There are two primary audio commentaries: one featuring director George Roy Hill, lyricist Hal David, associate producer Robert Crawford Jr., and cinematographer Conrad Hall. This commentary offers nostalgic insight but suffers from sporadic silences and uneven editing. The second commentary by screenwriter William Goldman is notable but can feel overwhelmingly negative. Among the highlights are two documentaries in HD: "All of the Following is True" delivers thoughtful reflections from key figures like Redford, Newman, and Bacharach, while "The Wild Bunch" compares historical facts to the film’s portrayal with expert interviews. Additional materials include a deleted scene with optional commentary and a trio of subpar trailers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Director George Roy Hill, Lyricist Hal David, Robert Crawford Jr., and Conrad Hall: Insightful but sporadic.
• Commentary by Screenwriter William Goldman: Informative yet negative.
• All of the Following is True: Interviews with key participants about making the film.
• The Wild Bunch: Explores real-life vs. film portrayal.
• Deleted Scene - Tent: Optional commentary by George Roy Hill.
• Trailers: Poor video quality.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, directed by George Roy Hill, seamlessly blends traditional Western themes with a quirky fatalism, creating a film that both typifies and transcends the 1960s. The story follows two alluring outlaws—Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford)—through a mixture of factual events and imaginative embellishments. As winners of four Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography, the film's engrossing characters and sharp dialogue remain engaging, even if the music and stylistic choices sporadically appear dated. Their journey, from outwitting lawmen to fleeing to Bolivia with Sundance's girlfriend (Katharine Ross), is peppered with seamless camaraderie and humor, thanks to William Goldman's award-winning writing.

Despite the film’s enduring appeal, the Blu-ray upgrade presents a mixed bag. Fox’s new transfer to 1080p has highlighted some inherent limitations of the original 1969 production. Although improvements over the standard DVD are evident, overly saturated colors and boosted contrasts may not sit well with purists. Additionally, while the lossless DTS-HD MA audio track upgrades the clarity, it also accentuates the age and constraints of the source material. That said, Conrad L. Hall's Oscar-winning cinematography successfully renders stunning visuals of Redford, Newman, and rugged landscapes, further enriched yet possibly challenged under high-definition scrutiny.

Ultimately, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" on Blu-ray remains a compelling watch. The film's unique charm lies in its loving depiction of an idealized Wild West through a nostalgic, sepia-toned lens. Hill’s direction, paired with Newman and Redford’s palpable chemistry, solidifies its status as a beloved classic. While hardcore audiophiles and videophiles might find flaws in the enhanced presentation, the timeless storytelling and groundbreaking performances ensure that this release captures the essence of Hollywood cinema at its finest.

The Blu-ray edition of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" presents a mixed bag of improvements and disappointments. On one hand, the transition to 1080p resolution provides certain areas of enhanced clarity and color vibrancy; on the other hand, it also uncovers flaws inherent in the original film print. The overall visual quality is somewhat of a letdown, as the expectation for finely detailed images falls short. Concurrently, the audio offers a solid upgrade with a Lossless soundtrack that, while an improvement over previous releases, remains unremarkable for demonstration purposes.

In terms of extras, most of the substantial supplements from the standard definition release have been retained, though some less significant ones are missing. This may displease completists looking for a comprehensive collection. Notably, the film retains its nostalgic charm and the dynamic performances by Paul Newman and Robert Redford, set against an iconic backdrop, remain compelling. Nevertheless, viewers looking for deeper substance might find the film lacking beyond its picturesque appeal and star power.

Ultimately, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" on Blu-ray offers an enjoyable viewing experience with notable but limited upgrades from its DVD counterpart. While it holds sentimental and cinematic value, this edition is best appreciated by hardcore fans or those new to the film. For casual viewers or those seeking flawless high-definition fidelity, it may be wiser to consider this as a rental rather than a mandatory purchase.