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When the iconic western film first premiered, the top cast listing featured Newman, Ross, and Redford. Today, the order has shifted—it’s Newman, Redford, then Ross. The actor, as the legendary outlaw, is arguably the most sought-after male leads after the era of McQueen. Yet, despite his success, he remains largely indifferent.

“Not a Hollywood Man”

“I am not,” he states firmly, “part of the Hollywood machine. Do you remember that guy who drifts through Saroyan’s famous work that celebrated story, who says, ‘It’s all built on sand—all down the line’? Well, that’s what I feel about Hollywood. It’s impossible to manage cinema as if it’s commerce these days, yet they persist to do just that. Movies in their eyes are just like consumer products. I find it repulsive.”

The Struggle with Downhill Racer

Admittedly, we have heard all this before in Hollywood. Yet he, in a measured tone, and honestly doesn’t seem to know at the interest in him, seems truly committed. One of the main reasons is that he put almost two years working on Downhill Racer and found that battling the establishment was an even harder job than the creative process.

The film, which hasn’t yet been shown here, even though that sneak previews were being given months ago, has been released in America garnering responses that indicate that it is considerably more action on slopes. “Actually,” says Redford, “the focus is athletics and athletes. Which is why I want to open it in London since skiing isn’t big here. The odds are better of it surviving here as a study of a certain kind of person as opposed to just athletic action.”

“They wanted to open it in Austria, for a niche audience. But, really… my project where an American winning the top prize on the slopes. Isn’t that impress them? Oh, boy, just as long as I avoid attending. They’d criticize me harshly.”

Poetry and Danger

“Why downhill racing? I believe a unique combination beauty and peril, the perfect vehicle to portray how athletics affects individuals. One must be fearlessly committed to participate. Having tried it, you are never quite the same again.”

“Imagine aging skiers lingering around the boys doing it now. It’s sad. Restless constantly. Nervous habits show the whole time. They’re worn out. Athletics is very cruel, affecting everyone. Often it prepares you inadequately for life, or destroys you completely.”

Redford’s Athletic Past

Having been an athlete himself, formerly a top-tier dual-sport standout, potentially famous in tennis too. “Christ, defeat frustrated me,” he admits, “finally I got so that continuing was impossible, regardless of outcome. I’d often observe across the court and wonder—well, his left sock is coming down. That shoe will harm that bare ankle before long, but he’s oblivious on the match that he won’t even feel it. I’d also see some spectator or other, and think: ‘What’s on his mind right now? Is my game his proxy?, fighting his fantasy? Then it was 0–40!!’”

A Secret Love: Painting

An earlier interest, maybe his true calling, involved brushes. He bummed around across Europe for over a year back then, meeting artists, students and intellectuals, both genuine and not. Funds dried up in Florence, but met a teacher that set up displaying his paintings which paid for his transportation back home. When he got back, his urge to move again got the better of him. Acting became his path, initially on stage, then television, culminating in cinema.

Projects like Daisy Clover, Barefoot In the Park, a Polonski film, the western, and Downhill Racer followed in quick succession. Then came Sidney Furie’s Little Fauss, Big Halsey, centered on bike racing co-starring Pollard. After that, maybe a project on cowboy sports. Sport looks like staying with him for some time to come.

And what about painting? He seems hesitant. “Um,” he says, “I’ve not painted in years. Which is why I want to pause from filming return to it. But can you really start again? Unlikely. It demands seriousness, is it?. It requires your entire focus. However, my first visit to London impressed me in this respect. I feel compelled to pick up a brush.”

“Observe the sunlight across the city. It’s stunning. Each dawn I’ve been here I wake early strolling amazed. It’s unlike anything such light. I’ll be back again soon. Perhaps when the film premieres—should that happen.”

Newman’s Savvy

“If only I were as clever like Newman. He’d have seen to it that such a movie wasn’t messed around this way. Take Rachel, Rachel? “Yes, of course. But he too struggles against the bloody system.”