Mateo Gil's "Blackthorn" ranks as a rugged, entertaining western set in South America that qualifies as a kind of sort a sequel to George Roy Hill's exceptional horse opera "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." This visually stunning oater lensed on location in scenic Bolivia by "The Others" lenser Lucio Godoy should be seen on the biggest screen possibly because the film reeks of grandeur. Not only are the towering mountains awe-inspiring but also the salt flats look terrific. Basically, this western concerns an older but wiser Butch Cassidy after the Sundance Kid has died and their girlfriend Etta Place has left the country. Interestingly, Gil explores our legendary heroes after they have just arrived in Bolivia, with Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau cast as the younger Butch, and then later with Sam Shepard playing the older Butch. Although the actors bear little resemblance to Paul Newman and Robert Redford, the narrative—relying less on humor—channels the classic western. No, "Blackthorn" isn't as good as the brilliant "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," but it makes a worthy companion piece. As the film opens, our venerable outlaw (Sam Shepard of "Country") is writing a letter to Etta Place (lovely Dominique McElligott of AMC's "Hell on Wheels") about his plans to leave Bolivia and return to America to live with his son. The flashbacks with the younger Butch (Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau of "Black Hawk Down") show our heroes escaping the wrath of a Pinkerton agent, Mackinley (Stephen Rea of "The Crying Game"), and his posse. "Endless Night" scenarist Miguel Barros doesn't let the action bog down, and director Mateo Gil keep things suspenseful and surprising as our protagonist is sidetracked on his journey home when he crosses trails with a Madrid-born bandit Eduardo Apodaca (Eduardo Noriega of "Sweetwater") and finds himself riding the owlhoot trail once again. The settings are atmospheric, and the time period is the late 1920s. Everybody believes that Butch has died, including the wily former Pinkerton agent McKinley, when our hero ties his fortune to Eduardo. Like "Butch Cassidy," "Blackthorn" takes place in some breathtaking scenery in craggy mountainsides and sprawling deserts. Posses of one kind or another assemble to pursue these two, and Butch—who calls himself James—takes a shine to Eduardo and they find themselves struggling to pursue those posses. Like the posse in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," the posses in "Blackthorn" don't know when to quit and they are determined to bring back our heroes dead or alive. Sam Shepard delivers a sympathetic performance of a fading outlaw who has to resume his own ways. In the flashback sequences, Pádraic Delaney makes a good Sundance. Unfortunately, he isn't as flamboyant as Robert Redford, but the two actors have enough charisma to make them memorable. Miraculously, they manage to escape the authorities, but Sundance catches a bullet that won't go away as the flee for parts unknown and eventually Butch must do the unthinkable to put him out of his misery. Most westerns that occur in the 20th century rarely encapsulate the wild spirit of the old West, but "Blackthorn" does, and anybody who craves a good shoot'em up will treasure this tale.

Wow, what a good film. And one I'd never heard of - lucky somebody mentioned it and I was intrigued...Basically, very classy western but tinged with an odd quirky loneliness throughout. The casting of brilliant Sam Shepard and Eduardo Noriega is perfect. Stephen Rea is wonderful in this too.For me, it's a kind of similar feel to the Coen version of True Grit but not quite as strong a film. In it's own right though this is great too.Highly recommended

Blackthorn is a slow burn elegiac western with a fine performance from Sam Shepard. The actor and playwright who passed away in 2017 shows here what an excellent actor he could be when given the right role.Shepard plays the ageing Butch Cassidy who did not die in a shootout in Bolivia but laid low living a modest life with his housekeeper Yana and longing to go home which he tries to do when his old flame dies back in the USA.On his way back to America Butch comes across a Spanish mining engineer named Eduardo Apodaca (Eduardo Noriega) who has stolen from a mining company and is now in pursuit. He has also scared off Butch's horse and saddlebag carrying his money. Butch decides to team up with this young upstart who does not realise that legendary outlaw he is riding with.However pretty soon McKinley (Stephen Rea) an old alcoholic agent from the Pinkerton Gang senses Butch's scent as he never believed that Butch died all those years ago.This is a contemplative film, with maybe a too simple story. McKinley indicates to Butch at one point that he has become too trusting in his old age. There are some flashbacks to Butch and Sundance's younger days. The film has wonderful photography and stands testament to Shepard's vast talents.

I'll say right off, there may be some *SPOILERS* here and there in this review, so be warned.I am a bit surprised I hadn't remembered this film being released. For fans of Westerns (and Sam Shepard), as well as the 1969 film "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid", this film is for you.This film gives you the scenario- what if Butch & Sundance were not actually killed in Bolivia by the Bolivian army- as the original film ends, but instead got away, and leads you to an older Butch Cassidy (Shepard) living under the assumed name of "Blackthorne" around the turn of the century. The film brilliantly shoes little flashback sequences throughout of what happened after Butch & Sundance escaped, which lead up to the present day. "Blackthorne" meets up with a young gentleman Spaniard (Eduardo Noriego of "Abres Los Ojos") after his loot of cash, who seemingly becomes another Sundance Kid. But things aren't what they seem with this character, and eventually things go sour. An old lawman after the young Butch and Sundance- Stephen Rea- also shows up, and all hell breaks loose.Yet another great performance from all-around "Renaissance Man" Shepard, as well as great story and direction. Definite thumbs up!