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The Outlaw (1943)

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Average Rating: 6.1/10
Reviews Counted: 9
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Movie Info

Perhaps Hollywood's greatest success du scandal of the 1940s, this odd psychological Western became a box office hit largely thanks to the costuming of leading lady Jane Russell (or, more accurately, its relative absence). Billy the Kid (Jack Buetel) and Doc Holliday (Walter Huston) are close friends until lawman Pat Garrett (Thomas Mitchell) attempts to ambush Billy and put him behind bars. Doc brings Billy to his ranch to hide out, but when Billy meets Doc's mistress Rio (Russell), he's

G, 2 hr. 3 min.

Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics

Directed By: Howard Hughes

Written By: Jules Furthman

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1943 Wide

On DVD: Apr 29, 1998

American Pop Classics

Cast

Jack Buetel
Billy the Kid
Jane Russell
Rio
Thomas Mitchell
Pat Garrett
Walter Huston
Doc Holliday
Mimi Aguglia
Aunt Guadelupe
Joe Sawyer
Charley
Gene Rizzi
Stranger
Bob Callahan
Boy
Frank Darien
Shorty
Dick Elliott
Martin Garralaga
Waiter
Ben Johnson
Cecil Kellogg
Officer
Ethan Laidlaw
Arthur Loft
Ted Mapes
Guard
William Newell
Drunk Cowboy
Emory Parnell
Dolan
Edward Peil Sr.
Swanson
Nina Quartero
Chita
Wallace Reid Jr.
Bystander
Julian Rivero
Pablo
John Sheehan
Salesman
Lee Shumway
Dealer
William Steele
Deputy
Carl Stockdale
Minister
Pat West
Bartender
Lee "Lasses" White
Coach Driver
Dick Jones
Ed Brady

Critic Reviews for The Outlaw

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (1) | DVD (3)

One of the weirdest westerns of all time, reflecting the eccentricities of its producer and credited director, Howard Hughes.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

By today's standards the film is naive and amateurish, but in 1943, it was one of the most scandalous features Hollywood has made due to Howard Hughes brilliant campaign to exploit Jane Russell's buxum.

June 22, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Stagey, not that well written, acted or directed (by Howard Hughes) western. More infamous than good.

March 2, 2008 Comment

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

There are only two reasons why anyone was intrigued with this film...can you guess?

November 1, 2006 Full Review Source: Film Threat

| Comment (1)

Phil Hall

Film Threat

The film would be G-rated today, but at the time, that hint of skin was enough to send people scampering for a little water to put on their brow.

January 27, 2005 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

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Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

Surprisingly, this minor, off-beat western didn't turn out that bad.

February 3, 2004 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Howard Hughes' long-awaited celluloid interpretation of the life, love and legend of Billy the Kid approaches its chore of chronicling with more regard to historical authenticity than most of the countless predecessors of similar theme.

June 5, 2002 Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine

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Boxoffice Magazine

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Audience Reviews for The Outlaw

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Infamous western is really not very good with several obviously rear projection scenes really taking you out of the movie. Fictional story of Billy the Kid is troubled in many places perhaps the biggest is Buetel a blank faced black hole at the center of the film. Even the usually great Huston and Thomas Mitchell give

June 19, 2011