At its 1969 release, the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid faced widespread critical disapproval despite starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman, whose chemistry would later be celebrated. Among the critiques was the contentious inclusion of the song
“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head”
, a feature that even Redford himself initially rejected. The actor felt the folksy tune did not fit the movie‘s tone, aligning with critics who saw the song as out of place in a Western about two outlaws searching for their next big opportunity.
The sequence featuring the song, insisted upon by director George Roy Hill, showed Butch Cassidy riding a bike while B.J. Thomas’ vocals played over the scene, which many found absurd and historically inaccurate. Time magazine highlighted its anachronistic feel, pointing out how odd it was to see a Western hero riding a bicycle to such a lighthearted song. Burt Bacharach, who co-wrote the track with Hal David and won an Oscar for it, later acknowledged,
“I found out much later that the entire board over at 20th Century Fox didn’t like the song, and Robert Redford didn’t like it too much, either,”
Bacharach said.
“But it felt right.”
Despite the initial resistance, this breezy melody accentuated the film’s romantic subplot while contrasting its more serious themes.
The song plays during a pivotal moment involving Butch and Etta Place, portrayed by Katharine Ross, who is caught in a love triangle with Sundance Kid (Redford). This scene’s light-heartedness highlighted the romance emerging between Butch and Etta, as well as Butch’s ever-positive outlook amidst the darker backdrop of their outlaw lives. The contrast served to underline the inevitable changes coming to the Old West, pushing Redford to reluctantly accept director Hill’s insistence to keep the song in the final cut.
Redford later admitted to USA Today that his initial judgment was harsh, stating,
“When the film was released, I was highly critical – how did the song fit with the film? There was no rain. At the time, it seemed like a dumb idea. How wrong I was, as it turned out to be a giant hit.”
The track became a chart-topping success worldwide and has remained bound to the film’s legacy ever since. Reflecting on its lasting relevance, Redford concluded,
“Today, the song still works from the standpoint of nostalgia, All these years later, it still has resonance.”
How Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Became a Defining Moment in Robert Redford’s Career
Despite its initial negative reception, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has grown to become one of the most celebrated Western films of all time, disproving critics like Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel who dismissed it at release. The dynamic performances by Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy and Robert Redford as the Sundance Kid, along with their undeniable on-screen chemistry, are often hailed as among their best work. Their collaboration extended later into The Sting, which earned Redford an Oscar nomination and marked their final film together.
Though the pair never reunited for a third movie, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid remains a career milestone for both actors, showcasing their ability to portray complex friendships with humor and depth. For Robert Redford, the film’s success was pivotal, shaping his future beyond acting. It inspired him to establish the Sundance Institute, the Sundance Film Festival, and the Sundance Collection at UCLA, all dedicated to nurturing new creative voices and protecting artistic quality.
While Redford originally doubted elements such as the choice of
“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,”
his later acceptance of the song’s impact reflects his respect for the collaborative nature of filmmaking. The film put him prominently on the cultural map, cementing his legacy not only as a talented actor but also as a champion of creative collaboration and independent cinema. Many now consider Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid deserving of inclusion in the Criterion Collection for its artistic merit and lasting influence.
