The Outsider (1961)

Tony Curtis plays an Indian (Nicknamed "Chief" by other soldiers) who fights in WWII and helps to raise the flag at Iwo Jima.

Director:

Delbert Mann

Writers:

William Bradford Huie, Stewart Stern

Stars:

Tony Curtis, James Franciscus, Gregory Walcott

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Curtis	...	Ira Hamilton Hayes
James Franciscus	...	Pvt. James B. Sorenson
Gregory Walcott	...	Sgt. Kiley
Bruce Bennett	...	Gen. Bridges
Vivian Nathan	...	Nancy Hayes
Edmund Hashim	...	Jay Morago
Paul Comi	...	Sgt. Boyle
Stanley Adams	...	Noomie
Wayne Heffley	...	Cpl. Johnson
Ralph Moody	...	Uncle
Jeffrey Silver	...	McGruder
James Beck	...	Tyler (as Jim Beck)
Forrest Compton	...	Pharmacist Mate John H. Bradley
Pete Homer	...	Mr. Alvarez
Mary Patton	...	Chairlady

Storyline

During WW2, 17-year-old Ira Hamilton Hayes, a Pima Indian from Arizona, enlists in the Marine Corps. During boot camp at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, Ira strikes up a strong and long-lasting friendship with fellow marine, Jim Sorenson. Shipped to the Pacific Theatre of Operations, the two marines fight on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima. They are among the six marines who raise the U.S. flag on Suribachi. Soon afterwards, Sorenson is killed by enemy fire in front of a stunned Ira. Later on, the surviving three marines who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima are ordered back to the USA to participate in a war bond drive. They tour the country, surrounded by the mass-media and the adoring crowds. They participate at rallies, meetings, media-events and parades. They are asked to make public speeches to persuade the citizens to buy war bonds. However, heartbroken over his friend's death, Ira often turns to booze to give himself the courage to continue. His drinking worsens and he is sent back ...

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Plot Keywords:

arizona | pima indian | pima maricopa indian reservation | 20th century | based on real person | 

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Taglines:

His most electrifying role!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

In June 2016 the Marine Corps determined that Pharmacists Mate John Bradley actually was not among the six flag raisers in the famous pic.

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Goofs

On Iwo Jima, Ira Hayes salutes his commander in a bunker located in the combat zone. Actual Marines do not salute in the front lines. In addition, Hayes drops his salute before his boss salutes him back.

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Connections

Referenced in Full Metal Jacket (1987)

User Reviews

A wonderful movie that has such feeling and speaks volumes of the USA

A movie which speaks so much truth about the manner in which Heroes in the US are treated by the establishment.A man is utilised for his status and immediate appeal only to forgotten and downtrodden shortly after.The US has the ability ,like no where else, to allow heroes used for their immediacy to fall from grace so quickly while they move on to someone else. A performance by Curtis which is up there with all the other good movies he made about this time. Curtis had an appeal during this period for making good intelligent pictures before he reduced himself to almost a joke. A quality actor who for some reason became a virtual outcast by his contemporaries.Fame can do many things to people some not so good. The story of the Iwo Jima flag is legendary the spin and conivance that followed is such a blight on a society which we try to look up to but on many occasions feel sorry for.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

6th Man

Filming Locations:

Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1