Since the movie didn't say this was a true story, there are no statements at the end telling us what happened to everyone. I suppose we do wish that this was a true story.James Blackthorn (Sam Shepard) once known as Butch Cassidy seems to be alive in Bolivia and wants to go to the United States to see his nephew Ryan. On the way, he is almost bushwhacked by Eduardo (Eduardo Noriega), who fails, and Blackthorn kind of agrees to help him retrieve money he says he stole from a mine where he was an engineer and there is a posse after him. The rest of the movie has Blackthorn and Eduardo racing across the desert with the posse close behind. There will be a major twist later on. (Oh, oh!) The cinematography is excellent and many scenes were shot in Bolivia. There are many flashbacks of Butch and Sun Dance together to help fill in some gaps. Notables: Magaly Solier as Yana, love interest to Blackthorn; Dominique McElligott as Etta, who traveled with Butch and Sundance initially to Bolivia and later is shown as pregnant seemingly with Sun Dance's child; Padraic Delaney as Sun Dance; Stephen Rea as Mackinley the Pinkerton man who takes Blackthorn to safety.This was well told and acted throughout. (9/10)Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: Some may think some things were funny. I didn't see that. Language: Yes, some not much. Rating: A

In the right frame of mind, you can watch any movie, right ? If you are in the mood for some western, this is a good film. It has intrigue, action, and the theme of western is definitely there with great shooting locations. Worth a watch...not sure about a rewatch as the story is quite simple and the main actor a bit old.

Whilst owning the film on DVD,I found myself drawn to stay up late at night a few weeks ago to watch the ultra-stylish Neo-Noir Cold In July get screened on TV,with Sam Shepard's being utterly chilling. Checking to see if anything interesting was being shown over the last days of the Easter holiday,I was thrilled to spot a Shepard Spanish Western (!) being shown,which led to me pulling out the black thorn.The plot:Leaving the US with a myth of him and Sundance both being killed, Butch Cassidy changes his name to James Blackthorn and goes to live a life of solitary in Bolivia. Waken up from his 20 year slumber by news that his former lover Etta Place has died,Cassidy writers to their son Ryan to give him news that he will be coming home to meet him. As he prepares to set off,Cassidy discovers people who want to make the myth of his death become true.View on the film:Riding across the beautiful hills of Bolivia,director Mateo Gil & cinematographer Juan Ruiz Anchía dip the title in the ghostly myth of Cassidy with isolated crane shots sweeping along the wilderness that Cassidy has left the myths behind for. Tipping his hat towards the Chorizo Western genre, Gil gives the clipped shots of gunfire a dry,earthy colour,that keeps the action grounded with the stark reality of Cassidy.Unearthing Cassidy's "missing years" the screenplay by Miguel Barros superbly grinds into the daily life of Cassidy,with Barros gradually revealing the loves and relaxed daily rituals that Cassidy has come accustomed to. Getting Cassidy to put his cowboy hat back on, Barros struggles to make Cassidy's return thunderous,due to appearing to be like Cassidy,in enjoying the chance to focus on his domestic life,but being much less interested in unleashing Wild West Cassidy action. Joined by a rough and ready Nikolaj Coaster-Waldau as young outlaw James Joven, Sam Shepard gives a fantastic performance as Cassidy,thanks to Shepard making a mere facial expression strip the 20 year myths off Cassidy's face,to unveil a rugged,black thorn outlaw.

In 1908 Bolivia, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were supposedly killed in a final gunfight. In 1927 Bolivia, Butch is living under the assumed name James Blackthorn (Sam Shepard). He decides to return to America after the death of old mate Etta Place. He withdraws all of his money. He gets into a gunfight with Eduardo Apodaca (Eduardo Noriega) who claims to be escaping from a powerful mine owner after stealing his money. Their horses run off. Eduardo had mistaken Blackthorn for one of his pursuer and offers a share of the loot for his help. There are flashbacks of Butch and Sundance with Etta as they are pursued by Pinkerton Detective Mackinley and the Bolivian Army.Spanish director Mateo Gil takes on the modern western. It is beautifully shot and it's got Sam Shepard. He's got the charisma and big screen presence for such an iconic character. The story does meander around and it's the most thrilling plot. The flashbacks disrupt the flow and could be left out. This is more compelling as a movie spotlighting Sam Shepard and make him the man with a fake name.