The Robert Redford Hall of Fame

Key Takeaways

Robert Redford significantly influenced film as a star, director, and Sundance Institute founder.
His prolific 1970s output often featured complex, understated characters and major box office success.
Redford earned major directorial and honorary Oscars, but only one Best Actor nomination for 'The Sting'.
The Sundance Institute, founded by Redford, expanded independent film's reach but later saw corporate growth he found disillusioning.
A definitive Hall of Fame for Redford's career was compiled, featuring 10 'green' films and 3 'blue' picks.

Guest Tracy Letts described Robert Redford as an underrated and skilled actor who made smart career choices and conveyed depth through stillness.
Redford's prolific period from 1969 to 1976 included 13 films, showcasing his comfortable command of his star persona.
His self-awareness and confident persona were contrasted with other actors, notably in an anecdote about his casting in 'The Graduate'.

Robert Redford debuted on Broadway in 1959's 'Tall Story', a role he later reprised uncredited in film with Jane Fonda.
He initially mocked theater but pivoted to acting after pursuing art in France, leading to steady television work upon returning to the US.
Notable TV roles included a German soldier in a 1963 'Playhouse 90' episode and a captivating part in a 1964 'Twilight Zone' episode titled 'Nothing in the Dark'.

The 1965 film 'Inside Daisy Clover' was deemed a 'bungle' that failed to capture its intended narrative and misinterpreted character relationships.
'This Property is Condemned' (1966), an adaptation of a Tennessee Williams play, was considered a 'dud' despite a screenplay co-written by Francis Ford Coppola.
'The Chase' (1966), featuring Marlon Brando and Jane Fonda, was criticized for being dull and miscasting Brando, though Redford showed early 'action star chops'.

'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' (1969) was a seminal film, praised for Redford's blend of overconfidence and humor and his chemistry with Paul Newman.
The film, despite a Burt Bacharach song Redford reportedly felt was a mistake, transcended perceived flaws to become an iconic work.
Redford's versatility allowed him to comfortably navigate both urban and rural roles and work effectively with both male and female co-stars, uncommon for actors of his era.

Robert Redford starred in three notable 1972 films: 'Jeremiah Johnson', 'The Candidate', and 'The Hot Rock'.
'Jeremiah Johnson' became iconic for its 'mountain man revival' theme and its later status as an internet meme, despite some hosts feeling it's overrated.
'The Candidate' was described as a personal favorite and a well-portrayed film about an aspiring politician with enduring relevance.
'The Hot Rock', a heist comedy featuring George Segal, was deemed highly entertaining and a classic 'hidden gem'.

'The Way We Were' (1973) is a signature romantic film for Robert Redford, with hosts debating its ending and character relatability.
Directed by Sydney Pollack, the film featured effective close-ups of Redford and Barbra Streisand and an iconic song, though some elements were called 'slipshod'.
Critics pointed out a lack of period detail and minimal changes in character appearances over a 25-year span, questioning the believability of Streisand's character's activism.

The 1976 film 'All the President's Men' is unanimously praised as a 'total classic' and one of the greatest American movies.
Robert Redford played a proactive role in producing the film, acquiring the rights before the book was even published.
One host found the movie, directed by Alan Pakula and starring Dustin Hoffman, to have a great premise but be overly long and dull, with too many stars that did not coalesce.

Robert Redford's 1980 directorial debut, 'Ordinary People', won Best Picture, marking a surprising departure from his previous roles.
Guest Tracy Letts praised the film's emotional depth and strong performances from Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton, and Donald Sutherland.
Following this success, Redford took an eight-year hiatus from directing to focus on acquiring land in Utah and establishing the Sundance Institute for independent film.

1992 was a dual success year for Redford, with the beloved and rewatchable film 'Sneakers' and his directorial effort 'A River Runs Through It'.
'Sneakers' was noted for its strong cast, including Sidney Poitier and River Phoenix, and its direction by Phil Alden Robinson.
'A River Runs Through It' was praised as a beautiful and well-acted film, with particular attention given to Craig Sheffer's performance alongside Brad Pitt.

'Up Close and Personal' (1996) was deemed the least favorite Robert Redford film by the hosts, criticized for its corporate production and perceived lack of artistic control.
The film's troubled production was documented in John Gregory Dunne's book, with comparisons drawn to 'A Star is Born'.
'The Horse Whisperer' (1998), directed by and starring Redford, had a lengthy 2 hour and 50 minute runtime and introduced Scarlett Johansson, featuring a standout performance by Kristin Scott Thomas.

Robert Redford's later directorial efforts, such as 'Lions for Lambs' (2007) and 'The Conspirator' (2010), were criticized for weak scripts and a perceived loss of directorial edge.
'The Company You Keep' (2012), starring and directed by Redford, explored radicalism and privacy with a large ensemble cast but suffered from structural issues.
'All Is Lost' (2013) featured a remarkable solo survival performance from Redford, though some later films were noted for not resonating as strongly.

Robert Redford's final screen performance was as Alexander Pierce in 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), appearing as a hologram due to his Hydra role and a reported negotiation with Marvel.
The finalized Hall of Fame list includes 10 'green' films: 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid', 'Downhill Racer', 'Jeremiah Johnson', 'The Candidate', 'The Sting', 'The Way We Were', 'Three Days of the Condor', 'All the President's Men', 'Ordinary People', and 'The Old Man and the Gun'.
Three additional 'blue' picks for Redford's Hall of Fame were 'The Hot Rock', 'Indecent Proposal', and 'Quiz Show'.