Blackthorn (2011)

One reviewer's blurb said: "A classic old-fashioned western, every bit as good as 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'." It is neither. It should not even be compared to that film since it's only marginally in the same genre.

There are many good things about "Blackthorn" -Sam Shepard's acting, for instance. The scenery is also excellent, albeit dully colored. I would have chosen a better film stock. Most of the colors seemed drab and lifeless to me. That may be partially due to the generally overcast skies that were the norm in Bolivia at least that appears to be the case when they were shooting this film. But I believe that either the film they used did not reproduce the colors well or there was something wrong with the projector at the theater in which I saw it. Yet even with the lack of color saturation, there were some spectacular vistas as our hero made his way across the country. The director made excellent use of the widescreen format.

Another interesting aspect of the movie was the back-story the flashbacks to the early 1900's with Butch, Sundance, and Etta Place. Those flashbacks provide a possible explanation as to how Butch and Sundance survived the infamous gun battle with the Bolivian army and why they split up. Enough said about that. (No spoilers here.)

I will mention that, historically speaking, while there is evidence of two American bandits being killed in a gun battle with a few soldiers (not an entire army) and a couple others from a small Bolivian town, later DNA evidence ruled out those bandits as being either Butch or Sundance. Also, many people have stated they met with and/or knew Robert Leroy Parker (aka Butch Cassidy) after he moved back to the U.S. (using an alias, of course).

But the story and the characters were rather bleak and left me feeling as cold as Blackthorn working his way through the high mountains of Bolivia with the young criminal who owed him money.

I would recommend this film with reservations. Don't go in expecting a fast-moving story with colorful, genial characters. It is tense and somber.

Surprised. Not by Shepard, who I've long thought is one of our great under-appreciated leading men, but by the story, the style and feel of the movie. I think I loved it. I've read some critics have called it "slow".....absolutely, its what I call a "slow burner." Not every story needs to move like a freight train.

There are a lot of ways the writer and director could have screwed this up, in just my opinion they dodged all the bullets. Like so many people I have a long term love affair with "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," so any movie taking a stab at sequel-ing that is running on dangerous ground. But they pulled it off.

If you like sweeping scenery, genuine-feeling westerns, GREAT acting (Shepard is beyond perfect all the way to amazing) those are all reasons enough to watch Blackthorn. I paid $9.99 to watch "before its in the theaters," and it was definitely worth it for me.

Buy Blackthorn (2011) Now

Well done in all respects. The scenery is fantastic, acting is excellent, story is great, and everything works. It will pull you in and keep your attention like a good book.

Really liked this one. Try it, I think you'll like it.

Read Best Reviews of Blackthorn (2011) Here

Sam Shepard is no novice to the thoughtful, landscape-driven Western. This film posits the question: What if Butch Cassidy hadn't been gunned down by the Bolivian army, but instead lived to old age in exile. It picks up with him as an old man considering a return to his long lost home, but along the way he is sidetracked, and some of his old ways (and old acquaintances) come back to haunt him.

The performances here in every way match the beauty of the landscape photography here. This is an excellent character study with a nice conversation regarding the nature of true crime.

Want Blackthorn (2011) Discount?

"One day I woke up and found myself alone. Seemed like everyone I knew was dead or in jail, they thought I was dead too." After writing for years to her son, James Blackthorn (Shepherd) hears about Etta's death. Wanting to see his home one last time he heads out. When he meets a young robber on the trail he forms a type of friendship. The young robber begins to realize that the old man is not who he says he is, he may be riding with Butch Cassidy. This is one of the best westerns to come out in the last few years (along with "Meek's Cutoff) and is that way for one reason. Sam Shepherd is fantastic in this role. Much like Sam Elliot, Shepherd is born to be in westerns. A mix of present day and flashback scenes make this movie riveting and you are questioning if he is really Butch or not. Weather you are a fan of westerns or not this is one movie that you should watch. Overall, one of, if not the best westerns to come out in the last 5 years. Great acting by Shepherd helps. I give it a B+.

*Also try Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid & Meek's Cutoff

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