Paul Newman and Robert Redford have the partnership with the fewest collaborations, spanning just two movies, but together they became two of the most famous characters in the Western film genre.However this partnership , which began with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in 1969, almost never was as the parts of Butch Cassidy and Sundance were offered to Warren Beatty and Steve McQueen.Before Redford was on board the project Newman was being teamed up with Max Olsen. And when Redford was finally cast he was to play the role of Butch and Newman Sundance before the roles were reversed.It was only under director George Roy Hill's insistence that Redford played Sundance that he was cast.Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) is the smart, savvy leader of The Hole in the Wall Gang, and his sidekick the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) ranks among the best shooters the West has known.This combination of brains and menace allows the duo to roam unchallenged, staging petty robberies when needed and otherwise kicking back at the local brothel.
But when a six-pack of the best cowboys in nearby states gather to bring down the rebels, using a Native American tracker to follow them across rivers, over mountains, and through deserts; Butch and Sundance decide to flee.
Gathering Sundance's girlfriend (Katherine Ross), they make their way to Bolivia via New York City. Unfortunately, old habits die hard, and before they know it, the charismatic criminals find themselves in an all-too-familiar situation, this time facing South American enemies.
Hills' insistence paid off as the film went on to gross $102.3 million in the U.S. alone, the film now ranks amongst the top hundred grossing movies of all time.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. It went on to win four: Best Cinematography, Best Music - Original Score, Best Music - Song and Best Screenplay.
The pair teamed up for the second time four years later in caper film The Sting.
Hoping that box office success would strike a second time the pair teamed up with Butch Cassidy's director George Roy Hill.
Paul Newman and Robert Redford star as con men Henry Gondorff and Johnny Hooker in The Sting. In the Chicago of the 1930s, Johnny's partner, Luther (Robert Earl Jones), is fatally wounded by a victim of one of their scams who turns out to be powerful syndicate boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw).
Eager for revenge, Johnny takes a tip from his dying partner and seeks out mutual friend Gondorff, a consummate master of the long con.
Gondorff rouses himself from his alcoholic inertia and agrees to help Johnny take down the despicable Lonnegan, conscripting an army of grifters ready to avenge their friend's death.
The labyrinthine plot, which is stuffed with false leads, red herrings, and a double-cross-a-minute, involves a fake bookie joint, a very persistent FBI agent, a bunch of corrupt cops, and one shifty dame.
Box-office success did strike a second time as it went on gross $160 million as well as being a big critical hit.
It was nominated for ten Oscars, winning seven including Best Picture and Best Director for George Roy Hill.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid may have launched Robert Redford's career but it also kicked off a friendship between Paul Newman and Robert Redford that has spanned almost forty years.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw