Sadness lies in the shadow of laughter. Burt Bacharach's melody trick for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"

What is the true nature of the sad waltz that permeates the entire film?

George Roy Hill was shocked when he saw the audience laughing continuously at the first screening of the movie and a standing ovation after the screening. Certainly, the movie gets laughs from the exchanges between Newman and Redford at various points, but what Roy Hill aimed for with the comedy was the sadness of life behind the laughter.

Bacharach may have been the one who understood the director's intention better than anyone else. He inserted the sad waltz "Not Goin' Home Anymore" into the song "The Old Fun City" to express the feelings of Butch and Sundance who no longer have a place to return to. In fact, the waltz plays faintly during the opening title credits, and again during the end credits after the final shot, to soothe the hearts of the audience who have lost words from fear and sadness. It's as if he had predicted the fate of the outlaws.

“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (c)Photofest / Getty Images

The film is a postmodern work that has taken western movies to a new level, with a touching melody that captures the director's intentions and unforgettable images that accompany the melody. It makes you think again about the importance of direction, cinematography, and music, which are the lifeblood of movies.

Text: Kiyoto Kiyoto

Transitioned from the apparel industry to a movie writer. He regularly writes reviews for Eiga.com, Pia, J.COM Magazine, Tokyo Walker, Yahoo! News personal "Kiyoto Seito's Cinema Gym", etc. She has written books such as ``Learn from Audrey's Stylish Practice Book'' (published by Kindai Eigasha), which utilizes her knowledge of fashion. Currently in charge of commentary on BS10 Star Channel's movie information program "More Movies."

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(c) Photofest / Getty Images