🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Mateo Gil
- Genre: Western, Drama, Action, Adventure
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 42min
- IMDb rating: 6.7/10 (20,566 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Old man Butch Cassidy lives in Bolivia and makes a bad decision to help a Spanish dude steal from some even worse dudes, leading to a road trip where everyone gets a little bit dusty.
🍿 Blackthorn: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Living as James Blackthorn
Two decades after the supposed death of Butch Cassidy in Bolivia, he lives under the alias James Blackthorn in a quiet Bolivian village. He breeds and sells horses, saving money to return to the United States. Blackthorn longs for home and plans to visit his ‘nephew,’ the son of Etta Place.

Encounter with Eduardo
Blackthorn’s plans are disrupted when he encounters a young Spanish engineer, Eduardo Apodaca. Eduardo attempts to rob Blackthorn, leading to a tense standoff. Eduardo reveals he stole money from a local mine and offers Blackthorn a share if he helps him escape the pursuing mine families.

The Chase Begins
Blackthorn and Eduardo team up, pursued by a relentless posse seeking the stolen money. Flashbacks reveal Butch Cassidy’s earlier days with the Sundance Kid and Etta Place, highlighting their adventures and the events leading to their assumed demise in Bolivia. The duo must outsmart their pursuers while navigating the harsh Bolivian landscape.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- James Blackthorn/Butch Cassidy (Sam Shepard): An aging Butch Cassidy lives in Bolivia under an assumed name, yearning for one last adventure and a return to his family in the United States.
- Ing. Eduardo Apodaca (Eduardo Noriega): A young Spanish engineer and thief who becomes Blackthorn’s unlikely partner, seeking to escape those he stole from.
- Mackinley (Stephen Rea): A former Pinkerton agent who never believed Butch Cassidy died and relentlessly pursues him in Bolivia.
- Yana (Magaly Solier): Blackthorn’s indigenous Bolivian girlfriend, who supports his desire to return to America.
- James Joven (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau): The younger version of James ‘Butch Cassidy’ Blackthorn, shown in flashbacks.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- James Blackthorn aka Butch Cassidy: “Sometimes I think there’s only two moments in a man’s life: the one is when he leaves home, and the other one is when he returns. Everything else is just in the middle.” – Reflects on the significant life changes as he contemplates returning to the United States.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $200,558
- Worldwide Gross: $987,883
💥 Blackthorn Reviews
Personal Review
I really enjoyed Blackthorn. It’s not your typical western, more of a character study with beautiful scenery. Sam Shepard is fantastic as the older, wiser Butch Cassidy. The flashbacks gave nice context and the ending was just right – not too happy, not too sad. I was thoroughly entertained, the slower pace gave room for the story to breathe and for the characters to develop, highly recommended if you like westerns with heart.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Western films”
- “Viewers interested in alternate histories”
- “Admirers of Sam Shepard’s acting”
- “People who enjoy character-driven stories”
- “Those who like films with beautiful scenery”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence (gunfights, shootouts)”
- “Some language”
- “Thematic elements related to aging and mortality”
Professional Reviews
- Screen International: “A beautifully shot and thoughtfully paced Western that delves into the twilight years of a legendary outlaw, Sam Shepard delivers a compelling performance as Butch Cassidy, offering a melancholic reflection on a life lived outside the law. The Bolivian landscape serves as a stunning backdrop to this tale of redemption and regret.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Blackthorn offers a revisionist take on the Butch Cassidy legend, trading gunfights for introspection. While the plot meanders, Sam Shepard’s nuanced performance and Juan Ruiz Anchia’s breathtaking cinematography create a captivating cinematic experience. This is a western for those who appreciate character-driven narratives over action-packed showdowns.
Audience Reactions
Sam Shepard’s performance is outstanding, capturing the weariness and wisdom of an aging outlaw.: Viewers praise the stunning Bolivian scenery and the film’s ability to offer a fresh perspective on a classic Western legend.
The flashbacks add depth and provide insight into Butch Cassidy’s past.: Fans appreciate the film’s deliberate pace and focus on character development rather than excessive action.
Overall Consensus: Blackthorn is a well-received Western that offers a thoughtful and visually stunning take on the Butch Cassidy legend, highlighted by Sam Shepard’s strong performance.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who plays the younger Butch Cassidy in flashbacks, bears a striking resemblance to Sam Shepard, making him a convincing choice for the role.”
- “The film was shot on location in Bolivia, capturing the vast and stunning landscapes that serve as a backdrop to the story.”
- “Director Mateo Gil is known for his collaborations with Alejandro Amenábar as a screenwriter, including ‘The Sea Inside’ and ‘Open Your Eyes’.”
- “The movie provides an alternate take on the fate of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, imagining they survived their supposed demise in Bolivia.”
🖥️ How to Watch Blackthorn?
As of [Current Date], Blackthorn is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability and DVD/Blu-ray purchase options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Blackthorn, you might like these similar films:
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969): Serves as a direct prequel to Blackthorn, providing the backstory of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’s adventures and eventual escape to South America.
- The Grey (2011): Features a group of men surviving in harsh conditions after a plane crash, sharing the themes of survival, camaraderie, and facing death.
- Unforgiven (1992): A revisionist Western that explores the themes of aging, violence, and redemption, with a focus on a former outlaw grappling with his past.
- Open Range (2003): Explores themes of honor and redemption as it focuses on a former gunslinger and his efforts to protect what’s his and shows a sense of right and wrong.
🛒 Blackthorn Related Products
- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Blu-ray): The classic film that started it all! Experience the original adventure of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in stunning high definition. This Blu-ray edition features special behind-the-scenes content and interviews.
- Sam Shepard: A Life: Explore the extraordinary life and career of Sam Shepard, the iconic actor who brought depth and gravitas to the role of James Blackthorn. This biography delves into his work as a playwright, actor, and director.
- Western Movie Poster Set (4 Prints): Decorate your space with a collection of vintage-inspired Western movie posters, including iconic images from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. These high-quality prints will add a touch of classic Western charm to any room.
- Bolivia Travel Guide: Discover the breathtaking landscapes and rich culture of Bolivia, the setting for Blackthorn. This comprehensive travel guide includes detailed maps, historical information, and insider tips for exploring this South American gem.
🎧 Soundtrack
Blackthorn features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The film presents an alternate history, suggesting Butch Cassidy survived the shootout in Bolivia. Historically, the fate of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is debated, with some theories claiming they escaped.
While not an official sequel, Blackthorn builds upon the story of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, imagining what might have happened after their presumed death in the 1969 film.
Blackthorn was primarily filmed on location in Bolivia, capturing the stunning landscapes and authentic atmosphere of the region.
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