Robert Redford, Actor

He was a fine, fine actor. I’ve noted about 25 really good movies with Redford as the primary actor. Where to even start? How about at the start!

    Redford’s first appearance of note is opposite Jane Fonda in Neil Simon’s Barefoot In The Park (1967). They are the classic oil and water couple: Corey (Fonda) is a free spirit while Paul (Redford) is a buttoned-down straight arrow lawyer. Their adventures in their terrible fifth floor apartment provide plenty of fodder for Simon’s witty dialog. Their unlikely neighbors provide lots of laughs. The title comes from Paul’s refusal to go barefoot in the park with Corey because it was too cold. Well, as someone has said, all’s well that end’s well. 

    Mr. Movie is often asked to tell his number one all-time best movie. He unhesitatingly says Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). It has everything! Redford is paired with Paul Newman as the irrepressible Butch. Katherine Ross is just right as Sundance’s love. These outlaws lead the Hole In The Wall gang through many misadventures, including a memorable train robbery. The edge of the cliff scene where they’re cornered by a posse is justly famous. And who could forget the pair’s attempt to rob banks in Bolivia, though neither speaks Spanish. And it’s just one of the many delights! Alas, the film won only four “minor” Oscars. Another robbery!

    In Downhill Racer (1969) Redford is cast as David Chappellett, a selfish, arrogant athlete who cares only for himself. The iconic Gene Hackman is on board as the Olympic Men’s Ski Coach. He puts up with Chappellett’s attitude because he is the best skier on the team. Redford does a quite creditable job as the skier, and makes you dislike him just like his teammates do. When he wins the Olympic Gold, you’re really not that happy. This is not Miracle on Ice on skis. 

    Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969) stars Robert Blake as Willie, a Native American on the run after killing his girlfriend’s father in self defense. His major pursuer is Cooper (Robert Redford), a Deputy Sheriff. The chase seems unequal since Cooper has a horse and Willie doesn’t. But the crafty Indian manages to avoid capture for nearly the whole movie. Willie is finally killed by Cooper, who delivers him to his people to be cremated the Indian way. Criticized for not turning over his corpse so that the curious can see him, Cooper responds “Tell them we’re out of souvenirs”.

    In The Hot Rock (1972) Redford plays Dortmunder, the ne’er do well criminal anti-hero of many Donald Westlake novels. He is recently released from yet another prison sentence. The title is from the big diamond Dortmunder wants to steal, and he gathers some of his shady cronies to help him. The diamond proves to be as elusive as it is valuable, and the chase to cadge it is filled with laughs. George Segal, Zero Mostel and Paul Sand are the nefarious crew recruited by Dortmunder. 

    All of the movies in this article are for grown-ups.