Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy

This was probably not a high budget film but it is really good and weaves a great tale about a very interesting part of American history. Not sure I can put to words what I like about this but even my teenagers like this movie. I highly recommend it if you like stories of the past mixed with trains, mystery, and treasure!

Set in 1950s Utah and filmed on location there, "Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy" depicts 16-year old Roy Parker's search for the truth about his great-uncle, the infamous real-life Western outlaw Butch Cassidy (the alias of LeRoy Parker). The fatherless youth must overcome the opposition of his determined granddad, who scolds him, "I spent the better part of my life trying to live down the reputation that your hero has laid out for the Parker name and you grow up worshipping him." After a jailbreak engineered by Jess, his best friend, Roy and Jess are joined by two other teens in a chase for Cassidy's buried treasure, pursued by dangerous criminals. Superb cinematography takes full advantage of Utah's rugged scenery in exciting chase sequences by automobile, river raft, steam train, and even airplane. Roy Parker is played by handsome Ryan Kelley, familiar to viewers of the "Smallville" TV series. Only an implausible ending detracts from this entertaining family film, suitable for all ages.

The main reason I liked this film is because it has elements of the "Indiana Jones Trilogy" action and the sense of a mystery/adventure film rolled into one. I do not know any of the actors, but all played their respective parts very convincingly. And like those old-fashioned films of the 1950s, there was no vulgar language used in making points, no nudity, and the bad guys wore black hats. The Utah State scenery was beautiful, and period clothing of the early 1950s was close with but one exception; I grew up during that decade and scout uniforms did not look like World War I dough-boy uniforms. Aside from this, the buildings, and particularly the motor vehicles used help bring back an environment that I knew as a preteen boy. I simply cannot believe how low-priced this DVD was too. It's worth far more.

I really enjoyed this movie. And, my grandchildren enjoyed it, too. The mystery part of the movie was fun and I especially liked the end where Butch Cassidy was found. I have read and written about Butch Cassidy adventures (my grandfather found him in his barn one morning when he was a young outlaw). This was a very satisfying approach to his life. Also, I saw some of the movie being made near Heber City, Utah one day. I had to order this second copy of the movie because the first one disappeared and is probably in one of my children's homes. They apparently like it, too.

I liked this enough to order a copy after seeing it on cable one night. A great old fashioned treasure hunt story that is part Hardy Boys, Indiana Jones, and Spin and Marty. Fairly realistic young adult characters for the time period, with avoidance of stereotypes. During three fleeing scenes they would yell "Go!Go!Go!Go!" which is a popular (and somewhat overused) modern expression from military and police shows. Never heard it used prior to about ten years or so ago. But this is easily forgiven and the plot is a good one. And I thought the Butch Cassidy element was refreshingly clever, as his sister and many who knew him including other family members said he survived Bolivia, and of all the outlaws who supposedly survived their own death, Butch is probably the most likely to have actually done this.

This is not a high-budget star-studded movie, and while it does follow a fairly common formula, it deviates from formulaic expectations in funny and thoughtful ways. Anyone who has ever been in Scouting will appreciate the humor and personality dynamics of the "north star" scene. It takes all kinds to make a troop. :)

some nice scenery, earnest acting by the youngsters, but an uneventful storyline and a bored director in charge of it all. I could not make it to the obvious ending. enjoy your nap.

Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy This is a great movie, I didn't want it to end. Great for the whole family. Full of adventure and mystery. I can't believe that I had never heard of it before. I saw the trailer on Forever Strong, not available locally, so I went to Amazon and there it was. I am delighted with this purchase,

Great movie

Great Movie