How Robert Redford’s Rejected Debut Became an Oscar Triumph
Robert Redford’s first film as director, Ordinary People, was initially dismissed by studios but later swept major awards. Discover how Redford’s vision shaped cinema and the Sundance Film Festival.
It still feels rather odd to write ‘the late Robert Redford’, even months after his passing at 89. His presence loomed large over the world of film for more than six decades, collecting nearly every accolade available as both a performer and a director. Redford’s influence extended well beyond his own roles; he inspired countless actors and filmmakers, and his legacy is woven into the fabric of modern cinema.
Yet, Redford’s impact was not limited to his work on screen or behind the camera. He was instrumental in founding the Sundance Institute and the now-renowned Sundance Film Festival, which first opened its doors in 1978. His ambition was to nurture emerging talent, and he named the festival after a patch of land he’d bought in Utah, itself named for his character in the 1969 classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, where he starred alongside Paul Newman.
Championing New Voices in Film
Over the years, the festival has become the largest independent film event in the United States, providing a launchpad for directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Steven Soderbergh. It has also brought attention to modestly budgeted productions that later achieved international acclaim, including Little Miss Sunshine, Whiplash, and Donnie Darko. The festival’s success mirrored Redford’s own journey, as he took a brief step back from acting, appearing only in 1979’s The Electric Horseman, before deciding to try his hand at directing.
Redford’s choice for his directorial debut was Ordinary People, a 1980 drama adapted from a novel, focusing on the unraveling of an affluent family. The film starred Donald Sutherland and marked a significant shift for Redford, who wanted to take full creative control. Reflecting on his decision, he once said,
‘(It was) for a couple of reasons: One was that I’d acted and produced, but I wanted to have complete control. I wanted to do a small film about the society I was living in and take full responsibility for it. Ordinary People was turned down everywhere. To my good fortune, Barry Diller at Paramount let me do it.’
Creative Freedom and Artistic Vision
Despite being a newcomer to directing, Redford was granted remarkable autonomy, a testament to his standing in the industry after two decades of work. He recalled,
‘Nobody bothered me, nobody came around’
, and went on to explain,
‘Another reason was that I had been an artist and shifted to acting and wondered if I should have left art. By directing, I realised I could put the two together: I could “design” the film. Suddenly, I got very excited.’
His excitement proved well-founded. Ordinary People, made on a modest budget just over $6 million, grossed $90 million at the box office and was met with critical acclaim. The film received six Academy Award nominations, with Redford winning Best Director on his first attempt. It also secured five Golden Globes, including Best Picture and Best Director, cementing his place as a filmmaker of real substance.