🔗 Share this article

Back when Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was released, the billing included Newman, Ross, and Redford. Now, the order has changed—currently it reads Newman, Redford, then Ross. Robert Redford, famed for his role, stands as arguably the hottest male leads after the era of McQueen. Surprisingly, while somewhat thankful, fame means little to him.

“Not a Hollywood Man”

“I am not,” he states firmly, “tied to the industry. Recall that character who walks in and out the play by that celebrated story, who says, ‘There’s no foundation—through and through’? In essence, that echoes my sentiment regarding the film industry. They shouldn’t operate an art form like manufacturing these days, but studios keep attempting to. Movies in their eyes are no different from vacuum cleaners or refrigerators. It disgusts me.”

The Struggle with Downhill Racer

Naturally, we have heard such sentiments from rising stars. Yet he, in a measured tone, and honestly doesn’t seem to know why anyone should want to interview him, seems truly committed. A key factor is that he devoted nearly two years into a film called Downhill Racer and found that fighting the system was an even harder job than filming itself.

The film, yet to premiere locally, in spite of the fact test showings took place well before Christmas, is out in America earning critiques which suggest it’s not just than a skiing spectacular. “Actually,” he explains, “it explores competition and competitors. And the reason I prefer its debut in London as this is not a skiing country. There is more chance that it will be appreciated as an examination of a certain kind of person as opposed to a certain kind of sport.”

“Studios preferred to open it where skiing reigns, showing it to all the experts. However… this film where an American earning an Olympic gold on the slopes. Is that really impress them? Oh, boy, just as long as I stay away. I’d be torn to pieces.”

Why This Sport?

“Why choose this sport? Because it seems to me a unique combination of grace and risk, an excellent means to illustrate how athletics affects individuals. One must be daring to the extreme to even attempt it. Having tried it, it changes you forever.”

“Imagine all those downhill veterans lingering watching newcomers. They seem lost. They’re always moving. Fidgeting endlessly nonstop. They are all shot up. Sport can be brutal, affecting everyone. Often it prepares you for useless skills, even breaks you utterly.”

A Competitive History

Having been an athlete himself, in his youth a top-tier American football and baseball player, potentially famous in tennis as well. “Goodness, I really hated to lose,” he says, “finally it got to where continuing was impossible, win or lose. My focus shifted at the guy over the net and wonder—my, his sock is sagging. His shoe is going to murder his foot before long, yet he’s so focused about the game ignoring the pain. Then I’d notice an audience member, wondering: ‘What is he pondering at this moment? Am I merely acting out his dreams?, competing for him? By which time it was 0–40!!’”

Artistic Ambitions

An earlier interest, maybe his true calling, was art. He wandered across Europe for more than a year back then, meeting bohemian crowds, pseudo and otherwise. Funds dried up while in Italy, but met a teacher that set up displaying his paintings covering his transportation back home. Upon returning, his urge to move took over. He turned to acting, initially on stage, then television, culminating in cinema.

Projects like Daisy Clover, another hit, Willie Boy, the western, and Downhill Racer followed in quick succession. Up next was Little Fauss and Big Halsey, a film about motorcycle racing alongside Pollard. Subsequently, maybe a project on cowboy sports. Athletics seems to following him indefinitely.

Did he return to canvases? A pause follows. “Um,” he confesses, “I haven’t done it in years. That’s the reason I want to pause from movies return to it. But can you really start again? Probably not. It’s not for fun, is it?. It must become your entire focus. That said, my first visit to London impressed me regarding art. I’m eager to create.”

“Look at the light in this place. It’s stunning. Each dawn during my stay I wake early and wandered round amazed. I’ve never seen this quality. I need to return someday. Perhaps when Downhill Racer finally opens—should that happen.”

A Nod to Paul Newman

“I envy as savvy as Paul Newman. He would have ensured that such a movie wasn’t messed around like mine has. What about Rachel, Rachel?? “Yes, of course. Even he can’t always buck the bloody system.”