Robert Redford, the celebrated actor and director who died in 2025 at age 89, once shared which film first captivated him as a child, shedding light on the origins of his legendary career. Discussing the Robert Redford first movie that influenced him, he recalled a pivotal experience as a young moviegoer, underscoring his lifelong passion for cinema and his drive to enrich the art form for future generations.
Redford’s Journey in Hollywood and His Lasting Legacy
Known as much for his performances as for his work behind the scenes, Robert Redford stood apart among actors, megastars, and movie icons. His commitment extended beyond starring roles in classics like
“Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid,”
which launched him to stardom, and “Ordinary People,” showcasing his directorial talents. Through his involvement with projects such as Steven Soderbergh’s “sex, lies & videotape,” he also elevated emerging voices by championing them at the Sundance Film Festival, a lasting platform that continues to shape the film world. Redford’s contributions, marked by both creative achievements and visionary leadership, have left an enduring imprint on the industry and countless individuals.
Remembering the First Movie That Inspired Redford
Every artist is molded by early memories. Redford, reflecting on his beginnings during an interview with Moviemaker, recounted the first film he ever saw in a cinema and its powerful effect on him:
“I do! It was Fantasia, and I remember being blown away by it”
– Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and director
The 1940 animated film “Fantasia,” produced by Disney, paired a series of imaginative cartoon sequences with iconic classical music, most notably featuring Mickey Mouse in “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” While the film was experimental for its time, it played a critical role in reviving Mickey Mouse’s popularity. Without “Fantasia,” the character might not have maintained such a strong cultural presence. At the time “Fantasia” debuted, Redford had just turned four, so his first viewing likely occurred in early childhood, shaping his sense of wonder and appreciation for cinematic storytelling.
A Cinematic Experience Rooted in Community and Nostalgia
Redford’s love for cinema went beyond the films themselves, extending to the moviegoing experience of his youth. He reflected fondly on the communal and immersive nature of attending films in earlier decades:
“It used to be you went and had a whole cultural experience, cartoons, shorts, newsreels and no trailers,”
– Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and director
This longing for the past inspired Redford to found Sundance Cinemas in 2007, a chain of theaters dedicated to recreating the rich, community-oriented atmosphere he cherished. His idea was not just about nostalgia, but about offering audiences a holistic, culturally enriching experience:
“What if we brought that back with [a] Sundance product,”
– Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and director
“We could show a variety of films in a centre with a bar, a restaurant and a film library? Where the whole community could gather for a community experience? They’ve been very successful.”
– Robert Redford, Oscar-winning actor and director
This vision proved impactful, as Sundance Cinemas became popular destinations. Redford’s efforts to gather people around cinema emphasized the importance of shared cultural experiences and accessible venues for artistic exploration, aligning with his broader legacy of support for filmmakers and the arts.
The Enduring Impact of Fantasia and Redford’s Vision
For Robert Redford, that first encounter with “Fantasia” was more than entertainment—it was a formative event that set him on a path to greatness, influencing his taste and his commitment to community. His reminiscences highlight how early childhood experiences can shape creative vision, while his work founding organizations like the Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Cinemas has ensured that other filmmakers and audiences could discover cinema’s transformative power together. As the world reflects on Redford’s passing, his story illustrates how a single movie can ignite a lifelong passion, and how one visionary can leave a legacy that helps others share in that inspiration.
