The Outsiders (film)

The Outsiders (film)
source
Name	The Outsiders
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Francis Ford Coppola
Producer	Fred Roos
Based on	The Outsiders, S. E. Hinton
Screenplay	Kathleen Rowell
Starring	C. Thomas Howell Matt Dillon Ralph Macchio Patrick Swayze Rob Lowe Emilio Estevez Tom Cruise Diane Lane
Music	Carmine Coppola
Cinematography	Stephen H. Burum
Editing	Anne Goursaud
Studio	Zoetrope Studios
Distributor	Warner Bros.
Released	1983, 03, 25
Runtime	91 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$10 million
Gross	$33.7 million

The Outsiders (film) is a 1983 American coming-of-age story drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Adapted from the 1967 novel of the same name by S. E. Hinton, the film depicts the class conflict between two rival youth gangs, the working-class "Greasers" and the wealthy "Socs," in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the 1960s. Featuring an ensemble cast of future stars known as the "Brat Pack", the film explores themes of loyalty, violence, and socioeconomic disparity through the experiences of its young protagonists.

Plot

In 1965 Tulsa, Oklahoma, the rivalry between the working-class Greasers and the affluent Socs intensifies. After Greasers Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade are violently attacked by a group of Socs, Johnny kills one of the attackers in self-defense. The two boys flee with help from their friend Dally Winston, hiding in an abandoned church. A pivotal moment occurs when they rescue children from a burning church, an act of heroism that leaves Johnny severely injured. Following Johnny's death and Dally's subsequent suicide after a confrontation with police, Ponyboy processes the tragedy through writing, resolving to tell the story of his lost friends.

Cast

* C. Thomas Howell as Ponyboy Curtis, the sensitive, literary-minded youngest brother. * Matt Dillon as Dallas Winston, the tough, reckless gang member with a police record. * Ralph Macchio as Johnny Cade, the vulnerable and abused member of the gang. * Patrick Swayze as Darrel Curtis, Ponyboy's stern, responsible oldest brother. * Rob Lowe as Sodapop Curtis, Ponyboy's charming, middle brother. * Emilio Estevez as Two-Bit Mathews, the wisecracking, fun-loving greaser. * Tom Cruise as Steve Randle, Sodapop's best friend and a skilled mechanic. * Diane Lane as Sherri "Cherry" Valance, a Soc girl who develops a connection with Ponyboy. * Leif Garrett as Bob Sheldon, Cherry's boyfriend and a main Soc antagonist. * Tom Waits as Buck Merrill, the owner of a bar where the Greasers socialize.

Production

The project originated when a school librarian from Fresno, California sent a petition to Francis Ford Coppola requesting he adapt S. E. Hinton's popular novel. Coppola, having recently completed Apocalypse Now, was intrigued and hired Hinton to consult and Kathleen Rowell to write the screenplay. Filming took place entirely in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the summer of 1982, with cinematography by Stephen H. Burum. Coppola employed an intensive workshop process with the young cast, fostering a strong ensemble dynamic. The score was composed by Coppola's father, Carmine Coppola.

Release

Warner Bros. released the film theatrically on March 25, 1983. It was initially presented in a 91-minute cut that streamlined the novel's narrative. In 2005, Coppola released "The Outsiders: The Complete Novel," a revised 114-minute version for DVD. This cut, prompted by star Matt Dillon, restored deleted scenes, added a rock and roll soundtrack featuring artists like Elvis Presley and Van Morrison, and extended the opening and closing sequences. This version has since become the definitive home media release.

Reception

Initial critical reception was mixed, with some reviewers praising the young cast's performances and loyalty to S. E. Hinton's source material, while others found it melodramatic. The film was a modest box office success, grossing $33.7 million against a $10 million budget. Over time, its reputation has grown significantly, particularly due to the fame achieved by its cast members. The film is noted for launching or boosting the careers of numerous actors who would define 1980s Hollywood cinema.

Legacy

The film is widely regarded as a landmark teen film and a definitive cultural artifact of the 1980s. Its ensemble cast, often referred to as a precursor to the Brat Pack, became a who's-who of major stars, including Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, and Rob Lowe. The film's exploration of class conflict and adolescent angst continues to resonate, and it remains a staple in school curricula alongside the novel. Its enduring popularity was cemented by the 2005 "Complete Novel" re-release, introducing the story to new generations and solidifying its status as a classic.

Category:1983 films Category:American drama films Category:Films directed by Francis Ford Coppola