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Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Excellent condition. In stock. One copy. Money back guarantee.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1968
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830 people want to read
About the author
William Goldman
92 books2,610 followersGoldman grew up in a Jewish family in Highland Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, and obtained a BA degree at Oberlin College in 1952 and an MA degree at Columbia University in 1956.His brother was the late James Goldman, author and playwright.
William Goldman had published five novels and had three plays produced on Broadway before he began to write screenplays. Several of his novels he later used as the foundation for his screenplays.
In the 1980s he wrote a series of memoirs looking at his professional life on Broadway and in Hollywood (in one of these he famously remarked that "Nobody knows anything"). He then returned to writing novels. He then adapted his novel The Princess Bride to the screen, which marked his re-entry into screenwriting.
Goldman won two Academy Awards: an Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and an Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay for All the President's Men. He also won two Edgar Awards, from the Mystery Writers of America, for Best Motion Picture Screenplay: for Harper in 1967, and for Magic (adapted from his own 1976 novel) in 1979.
Goldman died in New York City on November 16, 2018, due to complications from colon cancer and pneumonia. He was eighty-seven years old.
William Goldman had published five novels and had three plays produced on Broadway before he began to write screenplays. Several of his novels he later used as the foundation for his screenplays.
In the 1980s he wrote a series of memoirs looking at his professional life on Broadway and in Hollywood (in one of these he famously remarked that "Nobody knows anything"). He then returned to writing novels. He then adapted his novel The Princess Bride to the screen, which marked his re-entry into screenwriting.
Goldman won two Academy Awards: an Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and an Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay for All the President's Men. He also won two Edgar Awards, from the Mystery Writers of America, for Best Motion Picture Screenplay: for Harper in 1967, and for Magic (adapted from his own 1976 novel) in 1979.
Goldman died in New York City on November 16, 2018, due to complications from colon cancer and pneumonia. He was eighty-seven years old.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 5, 2025
Buch und Film
Nachtrag
Nachtrag
December 16, 2014
This screenplay sold for the then unheard of price of $400,000 back in 1967 or so. I have seen the movie, but never read it through before now, and I can see why it was such a hot property. First of all, the story is very suspenseful, and the characters are likeable and fun to spend some time with. Going a little further, this is based on actual events and real people, and a major theme of Westerns and American history is evoked here - that of the closing of the wild west and the end of the frontier era. Butch and Sundance are victims as much of the steadily encroaching tide of civilization as much as they are of their poor relationship with law enforcement authorities.
Goldman gives us a picture of two distinct and complementary personalities: Butch, the clever, wisecracking, personable leader; and Sundance, the laconic, ironic, first-rate gunfighter. The story begins as somebody once wrote, at the arc of the curve just before the peak, just before the conflict begins and the story really takes off. Nothing is shown of the early days of the hole-in-the-wall gang, nor Butch and Sundance's meeting or rise to notoriety. Instead the story opens at what could be considered a depressing point: the beginning of the end for our anti-heroes. It is to Goldman's great credit that this becomes the start of an exciting adventure rather than a steady downward plunge. The narrative marches steadily to the inevitable, dark conclusion, but it is still a thrilling ride. The gallows humor of these two affable scoundrels in the face of almost certain destruction comes across less as anarchistic than as a kind of masculine strength, an unwillingness to stop laughing and enjoying life even as its end looms.
Goldman chose an interesting form for this screenplay. He imagined things in very visual terms and included a lot of carefully and expressly written prose descriptions of shots, effects, angles, and edits. It is interesting to read his vision of things - maybe someday I will sit down and compare them with George Roy Hill's actual directing choices.
Goldman gives us a picture of two distinct and complementary personalities: Butch, the clever, wisecracking, personable leader; and Sundance, the laconic, ironic, first-rate gunfighter. The story begins as somebody once wrote, at the arc of the curve just before the peak, just before the conflict begins and the story really takes off. Nothing is shown of the early days of the hole-in-the-wall gang, nor Butch and Sundance's meeting or rise to notoriety. Instead the story opens at what could be considered a depressing point: the beginning of the end for our anti-heroes. It is to Goldman's great credit that this becomes the start of an exciting adventure rather than a steady downward plunge. The narrative marches steadily to the inevitable, dark conclusion, but it is still a thrilling ride. The gallows humor of these two affable scoundrels in the face of almost certain destruction comes across less as anarchistic than as a kind of masculine strength, an unwillingness to stop laughing and enjoying life even as its end looms.
Goldman chose an interesting form for this screenplay. He imagined things in very visual terms and included a lot of carefully and expressly written prose descriptions of shots, effects, angles, and edits. It is interesting to read his vision of things - maybe someday I will sit down and compare them with George Roy Hill's actual directing choices.
July 27, 2014
How many screenplays are so good that they are then produced into movies? Not many. How many movies are so good that the screenplay gets published as a book? So awesome.
February 17, 2019
Best characterisation through dialogue I've ever read, I adore this story (and Butch and Sundance)
November 9, 2018
This is actually the screenplay for the movie but still reads like a novel and is a great story of characters in the old west.
January 27, 2020
This is a very good story that kept my interest from start to finish.
April 1, 2023
Still the best screenplay ever for one of the best movies ever. Like most screenplays, a pretty quick read and so something I will go back to every couple of years, (after having first read it sometime around 1970). It sure is hard to beat perfection!
July 7, 2025
Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid by William Goldman
Another version of this note and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/
William Goldman won a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Writing and other prestigious prizes for this work.
He writes about this experience and other fascinating details, aspects about writing, acting in and making movies in his masterpiece Adventures in the Film Trade, one of the best books about this trade or art, depending on how you want to see it.
William Goldman has researched and worked for a long time to accomplish the script, which is based on real events.
Incredible as some scenes may appear, they happened and the author explains in his Adventures that he encountered situations wherein truth beats reality, albeit at other films, such as A Bridge Too Far, where real life occurrences shocked critics, who disbelieved and mocked them in the film, even if they truly had taken place.
Humor is present throughout this film, right to the very end, where the two partners use irony and a jocular tone.
Sometimes it is, actually it appears to be involuntary, being brilliantly included by the author, such as the moments when vital truths are revealed:
- I can’t swim
This is what the Sundance Kid says in a climactic scene, in which they are followed and cornered and they have to take a decision.
It is actually Butch Cassidy, played magnificently by the wonderful Paul Newman, who is doing the thinking and planning.
In spite of being a gang leader, the character appears to be very likeable and friendly, using little violence:
- I have not killed anybody- he confesses in another tense situation and I felt like laughing, because there is danger ahead
- And you decided to tell me now! Comes the obfuscated, natural reaction of the Sundance Kid
In a fight right near the start of the film, Butch is challenged for the leadership of the group by a massive bandit and they have to face each other with knives, but the clever Cassidy knows how to deal with it.
Nevertheless, before getting engaged, he tells his friend:
- Bet on him!
- Of course! But who will take it- in other words, all present would bet on the same giant
- Ok, but if I win lose, kill him
In another, very early scene, the Sundance Kid is playing cards and winning so much that his opponent is accusing him of cheating.
The man invites him to forgive about the money and stands up, in a classic Western posture of an invitation for a shootout.
Butch Cassidy comes to his comrade and says a few words that are intended to increase his fun- this is by the way a man who appears to enjoy life, humor and various situations so much that he could be a role model, if it weren’t for his illicit activities, which might have been a challenge and a stimulant that brought him to a state of catharsis.
Finally, he says the magic word: Sundance…
As soon as the valiant shooter hears the name of the best, fastest gun fighter alive, he loses his determination to challenge him.
Sundance responds to the invitation to show just how fast he is and shoots his belt and pistols off his belly.
There is an admirable camaraderie, friendship and esteem that hold this partnership together, under the most desperate circumstances.
There is a strange love triangle that instead of creating an abyss, a conflict between the two men, appears to have made to bond stronger.
Paul Newman had some arguments with the director of the film, which were repeated so much that this became a sort of a joke.
George Roy hill was a skilled pilot, who took part in the Korean War and went on to make other films with William Goldman, one of which is The Great Waldo Pepper, a film that the audiences rejected, and this happens when the character played by Susan Sarandon falls off the plane, which the public does not want, as Goldman explains in his Adventures in the Screen Trade.
In this book, Paul Newman is described as not just a fabulous actor, but also a man of integrity and a Superman.
Whereas Robert Redford, at least in the period after this film and sometime after that is coming across as obnoxious, pretentious and even infantile.
He wanted to start a project for a film based on a book by William Goldman and had him work for a good many months only to cancel after the success of Butch and Sundance made him see things differently:
- In Sundance I have a strong, virile character and in this project the role will change that image-
- I don’t want my fans disappointed
And worse, he recidivated later on All the President’s Men
Another version of this note and thoughts on other books are available at:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... and http://realini.blogspot.ro/
William Goldman won a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Writing and other prestigious prizes for this work.
He writes about this experience and other fascinating details, aspects about writing, acting in and making movies in his masterpiece Adventures in the Film Trade, one of the best books about this trade or art, depending on how you want to see it.
William Goldman has researched and worked for a long time to accomplish the script, which is based on real events.
Incredible as some scenes may appear, they happened and the author explains in his Adventures that he encountered situations wherein truth beats reality, albeit at other films, such as A Bridge Too Far, where real life occurrences shocked critics, who disbelieved and mocked them in the film, even if they truly had taken place.
Humor is present throughout this film, right to the very end, where the two partners use irony and a jocular tone.
Sometimes it is, actually it appears to be involuntary, being brilliantly included by the author, such as the moments when vital truths are revealed:
- I can’t swim
This is what the Sundance Kid says in a climactic scene, in which they are followed and cornered and they have to take a decision.
It is actually Butch Cassidy, played magnificently by the wonderful Paul Newman, who is doing the thinking and planning.
In spite of being a gang leader, the character appears to be very likeable and friendly, using little violence:
- I have not killed anybody- he confesses in another tense situation and I felt like laughing, because there is danger ahead
- And you decided to tell me now! Comes the obfuscated, natural reaction of the Sundance Kid
In a fight right near the start of the film, Butch is challenged for the leadership of the group by a massive bandit and they have to face each other with knives, but the clever Cassidy knows how to deal with it.
Nevertheless, before getting engaged, he tells his friend:
- Bet on him!
- Of course! But who will take it- in other words, all present would bet on the same giant
- Ok, but if I win lose, kill him
In another, very early scene, the Sundance Kid is playing cards and winning so much that his opponent is accusing him of cheating.
The man invites him to forgive about the money and stands up, in a classic Western posture of an invitation for a shootout.
Butch Cassidy comes to his comrade and says a few words that are intended to increase his fun- this is by the way a man who appears to enjoy life, humor and various situations so much that he could be a role model, if it weren’t for his illicit activities, which might have been a challenge and a stimulant that brought him to a state of catharsis.
Finally, he says the magic word: Sundance…
As soon as the valiant shooter hears the name of the best, fastest gun fighter alive, he loses his determination to challenge him.
Sundance responds to the invitation to show just how fast he is and shoots his belt and pistols off his belly.
There is an admirable camaraderie, friendship and esteem that hold this partnership together, under the most desperate circumstances.
There is a strange love triangle that instead of creating an abyss, a conflict between the two men, appears to have made to bond stronger.
Paul Newman had some arguments with the director of the film, which were repeated so much that this became a sort of a joke.
George Roy hill was a skilled pilot, who took part in the Korean War and went on to make other films with William Goldman, one of which is The Great Waldo Pepper, a film that the audiences rejected, and this happens when the character played by Susan Sarandon falls off the plane, which the public does not want, as Goldman explains in his Adventures in the Screen Trade.
In this book, Paul Newman is described as not just a fabulous actor, but also a man of integrity and a Superman.
Whereas Robert Redford, at least in the period after this film and sometime after that is coming across as obnoxious, pretentious and even infantile.
He wanted to start a project for a film based on a book by William Goldman and had him work for a good many months only to cancel after the success of Butch and Sundance made him see things differently:
- In Sundance I have a strong, virile character and in this project the role will change that image-
- I don’t want my fans disappointed
And worse, he recidivated later on All the President’s Men
September 10, 2020
This was my first time reading a screenplay because it's something I've decided to study. I was so blown away by how much I loved it. The stage directions were witty and had a character which would make it an enjoyable read even if you've seen the movie (which I haven't) because it has a unique tone. The pace was quick and exciting with the comedy not taking away from that. The layout was interesting as they rolled the scenes together well and it had a lot more direction than screenplays I have read since. It was easy to imagine each scene and I'm intrigued to watch the film now and see how they align.
June 24, 2021
I love William Goldman so I’m trying to read more of his work. The Princess Bride has my whole heart ❤️, so I was expecting Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to blow me away, and as I expected, it was excellent. It was fun to read, and the characters were likable.
I’ve watched the movie too, since I’ve read the screenplay, as I was interested in how the script translated to the silver screen. I think the movie is best described as charming. I should read the screenplay before I watch a movie from now on because it makes me appreciate the movie more, I think. 🤔
I’ve watched the movie too, since I’ve read the screenplay, as I was interested in how the script translated to the silver screen. I think the movie is best described as charming. I should read the screenplay before I watch a movie from now on because it makes me appreciate the movie more, I think. 🤔
August 13, 2021
William Goldman does a fantastic job of encompassing the lives of Butch & Sundance into one screenplay. I found myself leaning in at multiple moments, excited by whatever came next. It was a fun read with a fast, action driven pace that I never found confusing. He does write a lot of camera movements and omits the use of EXT/INT, so I'm curious how his writing style compares against more recent screenplays to see how things might differ.
August 27, 2024
Hilarious (until the end). Some of the lines from the movie are even funnier in the script. Newman & Redford deliver a great performance as Butch Cassidy & Sundance, but the screenplay is the real star of the show.🎬
July 19, 2019
Wonderfully written and an Oscar winner. Comedy and action in the final years of the Wild West.
Read
December 7, 2020I have a copy of the original script.
July 31, 2023
Like it.
October 9, 2024
One of those occasions where the screenplay is as good as the movie.
Read
December 16, 2024Last read in 2001.
Read
January 15, 2025doesn't hit as hard without the hot men
March 9, 2025
A clever work of art by the author of THE PRINCESS BRIDE. What range! I watched this movie several times as a kid and this brought it all right back.
February 17, 2008
The paperback copy I read was the screenplay for the movie. It was absolutely hilarious. I had no idea who William Goldman was, and rediscovered him at the age of 19 when I read The Princess Bride. I was delighted to see that he was also the author of BC&TSK,and I read this screenplay a second time. Even funnier.
June 25, 2010
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of my all-time favorite movies. The screenplay is great -- hilarious, quirky, and well-developed characters despite being relatively short and not indulging in any background. I'm not sure if it would have been as good without having seen the movie because I was able to picture the characters so well while reading.
January 21, 2013
A little different from the movie, but I'm not complaining. A good read and hard to put down.
February 11, 2018
Personal favourite of mine... Extraordinarily readable for those unacquainted to the screenplay format.
Read
February 28, 2016hmmm. read it so many times, I just about know it by heart...
November 11, 2016
Enjoyable old Western story of bank robbers. It was a bit challenging to read in the screenplay mode (instead of paragraphs).
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews