Watch Mrs. Sundance
- TV-PG
- 1974
- 1 hr 15 min
-
6.0 (313)
Mrs. Sundance is a western movie starring Elizabeth Montgomery as Etta Place, the longtime lover of infamous outlaw Harry Longabaugh, also known as The Sundance Kid. The film is set in the early 1900s, after the events depicted in the classic western Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, and follows Etta's attempts to restart her life after Harry's death.
The movie begins with Etta being released from prison, where she'd been serving time for her involvement in the Wild Bunch gang. She is approached by Harry's old friend, Mike Cassidy (played by Robert Foxworth), who offers to help her start over. At first, Etta is hesitant to accept his offer, but she soon realizes that she has nowhere else to go. Mike helps Etta to start a new life in a small town, where she takes up a job as a schoolteacher.
Despite her efforts to leave her past behind, Etta soon realizes that she is being followed by members of the Wild Bunch, who are convinced that she has stolen a valuable stash of stolen money from Harry's last heist. Etta denies having the money, but the gang members don't believe her. As she tries to clear her name, Etta must also contend with the advances of the local sheriff, played by L.Q. Jones, who wants to use her to get to the stolen money.
As the movie progresses, we see a different side of Etta compared to her previous incarnation in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. She is no longer the young, carefree girl who followed Harry and Butch on their adventures; she is now a woman who has experienced loss and betrayal and is trying to rebuild her life.
Elizabeth Montgomery's performance as Etta is one of the highlights of the movie. She brings depth and complexity to a character who was largely ignored in the previous movie. Montgomery's Etta is a woman who is smart, resourceful, and resilient, but also vulnerable and haunted by her past. She conveys Etta's pain and grief with subtlety and nuance, making her a sympathetic and relatable character.
Robert Foxworth's Mike Cassidy is also a well-drawn character. He is obviously in love with Etta but respects her need for independence. He helps her when she needs it but also allows her to make her own decisions. His character provides a nice contrast to the more aggressive, macho men in the movie.
The movie's script by David Zelag Goodman is also well-written and engaging. It avoids the usual cliches of western movies and focuses on character development and relationships. The pacing is a bit slow at times, but it allows the audience to really get to know the characters and become invested in their stories.
The movie's direction by Marvin J. Chomsky is solid, if unremarkable. He manages to create a sense of tension and danger as the Wild Bunch closes in on Etta, but he also captures the beauty of the Western landscape. The movie's cinematography by Richard C. Glouner is also impressive, showcasing the rugged beauty of the American West.
In conclusion, Mrs. Sundance is an underrated western movie that deserves more attention. It features strong performances by Elizabeth Montgomery and Robert Foxworth, a well-written script, and beautiful cinematography. It is a thoughtful, character-driven movie that explores the aftermath of a legend and the struggles of a woman trying to rebuild her life.