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 | iwo jima | war bond | 

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Taglines:

The story of Ira Hayes, who hit the heights at Iwo Jima !

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Außenseiter

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Lynda Day George.

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Goofs

The real Ira Hayes was awarded the Parachutist Badge upon his completion of jump school, which he attended after his boot camp training. Later he earned the Presidential Unit Citation for his combat actions in the Pacific. Yet neither of these awards appear on his uniform after he returns to the United States for the war bond tour (however, his uniform does correctly include ribbons for the American Campaign Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

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Connections

Referenced in Full Metal Jacket (1987)

User Reviews

True Story of Ira Hayes

This is the true story of Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian who became a US Marine and was one of the famous flag raisers on Mt. Surabachi at Iwo Jima. The movie goes into Hayes life after the war as well but unlike many movies of the genre, the story and acting do not lose any steam. In fact, the emotional intensity seems to deepen.

Tony Curtiss, who is a WW2 navy veteran {submariner}, gives what I feel is his best performance ever. This story of a simple and fundamentally good man, thrust into a big and dangerous world, is shown without compromise. The movie tells a very real and tragic story about friendship, loss, war and even the dangers of celebrity.

In keeping with the authentic telling of this story, even the end is sadly accurate. If you ever visit the National military cemetery in Arlington, VA, you will see the United States Marine Corps War Memorial {often improperly called the Iwo Jima memorial}. The rearmost marine statue is Ira Hayes.