The official U.S. release date of "The Outsiders" is given as December, 1961, but in late August/early September of 1961, Tony brought the movie to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA. to give all us Marines a sneak peek. He had filmed much of the movie at MCRD, plus in Oceanside and downtown San Diego, so he let us "locals" have the first look. Before and after the showing, Curtis came on the stage at the base theater along with his wife Janet Leigh and MCRD Commannder Gen. Victor Krulak, and we jar-heads were totally impressed with ourselves for getting the VIP treatment from such bigshots. Curtis didn't play the usual featherweight role as Ira Hayes, but gave a tough, gritty performance as an alcoholic on the skids. I don't notice "The Outsiders" listed among Tony Curtis's credits in all these obituaries, but if you get a chance to see it don't pass it up.
33 Reviews
compelling story
SnoopyStyle7 August 2020
Pima Indian Ira Hamilton Hayes (Tony Curtis) joins the Marines in WWII. He is an ill-fitting outsider and given the nickname Chief by his sergeant. He works to keep up and befriends Pvt. James B. Sorenson. They find themselves on Iwo Jima and a part of the iconic flag raising picture.
The trouble with this movie is that Curtis tries too hard. He's literally blinking his way out of a scene. He can't help but be Tony Curtis. The point of Hayes is that he's a little nobody who got swallowed up by the big lights. That's not Curtis and he doesn't fit the character. That's on top of the ethnicity and playing brown-face. I can certainly understand why he's trying so hard. It's written as a very performative character. It's got big time acting written all over it but it may be better to do less. The most compelling acting is either Jay or the mother. The most heartbreaking scene is the mother reading all the letters. That's a powerful scene and this is a powerful story. It seems that the movie is seeking power from big acting from Curtis when it should find it in the character himself.
The trouble with this movie is that Curtis tries too hard. He's literally blinking his way out of a scene. He can't help but be Tony Curtis. The point of Hayes is that he's a little nobody who got swallowed up by the big lights. That's not Curtis and he doesn't fit the character. That's on top of the ethnicity and playing brown-face. I can certainly understand why he's trying so hard. It's written as a very performative character. It's got big time acting written all over it but it may be better to do less. The most compelling acting is either Jay or the mother. The most heartbreaking scene is the mother reading all the letters. That's a powerful scene and this is a powerful story. It seems that the movie is seeking power from big acting from Curtis when it should find it in the character himself.
Decent depiction of a real figure struggling with being a hero
rvm-229 March 2003
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** This is a solid study of a historical figure (one of the GIs who raised the flag on Iwo Jima) and how he struggled to deal with the title of "hero" after the photo of the flag raising became a patriotic icon.
Curtis, as always, is superb. He was significantly older than Ira when he made the movie (the character of Ira was supposed to be a teenager, yet Curtis was 35), but Curtis is surprisingly youthful looking. Part of that is due to his ability to project youth through his acting, I think.
Notice the theme music: sure enough, it's by the same composer of the theme music for the TV show "Combat!", which debuted a year after this movie. The movie uses the same ascending five note refrain.
**** Spoiler ahead: ****
My disappointment is the ending, which misrepresents the reason that Ira died: he did not die after being disapointed after a tribal election. He died of exposure after a card game ... but that would have spoiled the otherwise Hollywood story, I suppose (at least, that was obviously the decision).
Curtis, as always, is superb. He was significantly older than Ira when he made the movie (the character of Ira was supposed to be a teenager, yet Curtis was 35), but Curtis is surprisingly youthful looking. Part of that is due to his ability to project youth through his acting, I think.
Notice the theme music: sure enough, it's by the same composer of the theme music for the TV show "Combat!", which debuted a year after this movie. The movie uses the same ascending five note refrain.
**** Spoiler ahead: ****
My disappointment is the ending, which misrepresents the reason that Ira died: he did not die after being disapointed after a tribal election. He died of exposure after a card game ... but that would have spoiled the otherwise Hollywood story, I suppose (at least, that was obviously the decision).
Good. Not a war movie.
deschreiber29 December 2011
This is the sad and touching story of Ira Hayes, with a fine acting job by Tony Curtis. Do not expect action scenes with battles and heroics. There is only a brief section that takes place on Iwo Jima;the rest is drama. Some may argue about this or that point of historical accuracy-- with good reason probably--but when all that is done, we're left with just a good drama about a young man who could not cope with the bizarre role of 'national hero' that fate forced upon him. The story is about how events outside his control affected his relationships with friends, family, his community, comrades and his country. We wish life could have turned out better for such a decent man.
Was very surprised to see this side of Tony Curtis' acting ablity...Excellent
mahtab97428 September 2002
This movie "The Outsider" was a pleasant surprise from the moment it started, until the very end of it. I thought that Tony Curtis was supurb as "Ira Hayes"...a part I feel should have won him an Acadamy Award Nomation and/or an Oscar. Tony Curtis was able to give the viewer great insight of the pain felt by this misguided Hero. Also, the raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima looked so real...and gave me such a powerful patriotic feeling. This movie does not come around to view very often...and my one wish is that it would be shown more. It was one of the best movies I have seen in a very long time.
Hollywood has blue-eyed "Indians".
HoosierBob2 June 2021
The movie itself stands on it's own merits and might be applauded for the telling of this powerful true story, but when other film makers like John Ford had used REAL Native Americans in movies, this was yet another slap in the face to Native Americans .
The movie itself also tended to use Hayes' personal weakness for alcohol to reinforce the belief that ALL Native Americans were prone to alcoholism.
While it is widespread on some reservations...it is because they were forced to live in that environment for decades where they have little do and must fall back on "the public dole"...and suffer the worst economic structure in the U. S.
This movie is long over-due for a re-telling...and the skills of Mr Curtis has nothing to do with my review.
The movie itself also tended to use Hayes' personal weakness for alcohol to reinforce the belief that ALL Native Americans were prone to alcoholism.
While it is widespread on some reservations...it is because they were forced to live in that environment for decades where they have little do and must fall back on "the public dole"...and suffer the worst economic structure in the U. S.
This movie is long over-due for a re-telling...and the skills of Mr Curtis has nothing to do with my review.
True Story of Ira Hayes
maxsmodels17 June 2005
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.
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.
Valiant attempt that suffers from miscasting
vandino128 November 2006
This film is a somewhat accurate account of Ira Hayes' story, and is well-meaning, but it suffers from the fatal miscasting of Tony Curtis. Curtis certainly tries hard, but the very idea of a Brooklyn-voiced actor with striking good-looks slathered in bronzer playing an ordinary-looking man from Arizona is ludicrous. Granted there weren't any movie star Native-Americans at the time to fill the role, but you never get a sense of an average guy doing his job: Curtis is far too gorgeous (although the make-up people do try to hamper his looks, unfortunately transforming him into something resembling a Romulan from Star Trek.). And yet some would not only ignore this, but also claim this is Curtis' finest performance. Hardly. See 'The Boston Strangler' or 'The Sweet Smell of Success" or 'The Defiant Ones." As for the film, it is relentlessly moody and downbeat, with an equally moody music score. The Iwo Jima material is almost right, but marred by the idea that Hayes would become a mess because of the loss of James Franciscus' character. Not that the fictional character is so bad, but the dull acting of Franciscus makes him impossible to care about. Since the film takes great pains in making this character so important to Hayes, it should be handled by a much more powerful acting presence than a stiff second-rate TV actor. Meanwhile, Hayes' fame rests with his helping put up the famous flag at Iwo Jima and then be put through the war bond drive and publicity grind stateside, yet the two others(Gagnon and Bradley) who were also involved in both flag raising and publicity war bond tour are barely in this film. 'Flags of Our Fathers' takes full advantage of this character interaction, but this film ignores it almost completely (granted it could have been due to rights issues from Gagnon and Bradley).
But it IS a story that was important to tell and worth watching, regardless. Sadly it was not a success back in 1961 and remains obscure to this day. Possibly 'Flags of Our Fathers' will give it new life.
But it IS a story that was important to tell and worth watching, regardless. Sadly it was not a success back in 1961 and remains obscure to this day. Possibly 'Flags of Our Fathers' will give it new life.
Decent depiction of the life of Ira Hayes
grantss9 July 2016
Good depiction of the life of Ira Hamilton Hayes, the native American who was one of the six marines who famously raised the US flag on Iwo Jima in WW2.
Having already seen Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers", I knew the basic story of Hayes. There is much more depth here, as Flags of Our Fathers covered the lives of three marines, not just Hayes.
Plot and direction are solid. Director Delbert Mann does overdo some of the detail though, and the movie does drift occasionally.
Tony Curtis is good in the lead role, though he maybe overdoes the country-bumpkin persona, making Hayes look like Forrest Gump, to a degree. It comes across as a bit patronising.
Having already seen Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers", I knew the basic story of Hayes. There is much more depth here, as Flags of Our Fathers covered the lives of three marines, not just Hayes.
Plot and direction are solid. Director Delbert Mann does overdo some of the detail though, and the movie does drift occasionally.
Tony Curtis is good in the lead role, though he maybe overdoes the country-bumpkin persona, making Hayes look like Forrest Gump, to a degree. It comes across as a bit patronising.
heartbreakingly tragic
jkholman8 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
I must agree with several others in saying that this is Tony Curtis' finest performance on film. He brings Ira Hayes to life and generates much pathos for the plight of the character. Another really good performance is Gregory Walcott's portrayal of the Marine drill sergeant. He was the exact duplicate of my drill sergeant from Ft. Leonardwood many years ago. I have seen Walcott in other roles, all forgettable, but this one is outstanding. At the start of boot camp, I am roaring with laughter at the anecdotes customary to military life, especially in basic training. Later, when we see Hayes quacking like a duck (as a civilian) it is almost pathetic. My favorite scene is the one where Hayes is riding out the string on another bond tour appearance nursing a hangover when he catches the attention of Sorenson's mother. What follows is enough to break any man's heart. It is the only solace Hayes will find for many years to come.
When your in a war your dead already. The reason you fight is to come back to life.
sol-kay8 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
(Slight Spoilers) The true and tragic story of US Marine and Native American Ira Hayes, Tony Curtis, one of the six US servicemen 5 marines and 1 navy corpsman who were depicted in the famous World War II photograph of the raising the American flag on top of Mount Suribachi during the bloody battle with the Japanese garrison on Iwo Jima. Ira was the US Marine in the far left of the photo.
Very introverted and living all his life on an Arizona Indian reservation Ira felt that serving his country in wartime would bring him into the mainstream of American life by blending into it. During his boot camp training Ira made friends with the very All-American Boy looking James Sorenson, James Francisus, who became his best and lifelong, in Sorenson's case, friend. That friendship came to a sudden end on the island of Iwo Jima where Sorenson was killed by a Jap sniper and died in Ira's arms. It was during the battle of Iwo Jima that Pvt. Ira Hayes almost by accident ended up being one of the six men in the flag raising photo. In fact the original flag raising took place earlier but there was no one around to photograph it so a second, with a larger American flag, took place with Ira being in it.
No one could overlook the significance of that dramatic combat photo and overnight Ira and the five other US servicemen in it became national hero's. This had the very modest, who never thought of himself as being a hero, and very non-talkative Ira Hayes immediately start to suffer from depression in being put under the microscope by the media which drove him, who until he became a US Marine never touched a drop of alcohol in his entire life, to drink. The pressure of being involved in US War Bond rallies all over the country turned Ira into a such a severe mental case that he become so afraid of meeting people, even his fellow Native Americans, that the only escape he could find from it was either in a bar or a bottle.
Arrested for public drunkenness 52 times over ten years Ira finally had his last drink on January 24 1955 when he fell head first and unconscious into a drainage ditch and ended up drowning himself. In the film Ira's death was made more dramatic in him dying, after getting juiced up, in the Arizona Desert from exposer, from the bitter cold winter weather, with his hand extended like it was in the photo of him raising the flag on Mount Suribachi.
Very accurate, despite it's made up ending, depiction of the life and death of Ira Hayes that turned out to be a true life, not fiction, Amerian tragedy. Ira who wanted to become a part of the American mainstream didn't realize how to act before the cameras and news reporters in him being honest about what he did on Iwo Jima. Ira never considered himself to be a hero feeling that all the hero's of the war, like his good friend James Sorenson, were already dead. With the pressures of being something that he felt he really wasn't, a full blooded American war hero, Ira slowly fell apart and the kicker was when he was't elected to the local Indian council on his reservation. Hurt and depressed in being rejected by his own people Ira let the booze, that was slowly killing him over the last 10 years, finally finish him off for good. Ira Hayes was buried at Arlington Cemetery on February 2, 1955 with the top US military brass as well as the President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower in attendance.
P.S Also in the film "The Outsider" is the great Gregory Wallcott as Ira's US Marine drill instructor Sgt. Kiley. Wallcott became immortalized in Ed Wood's bad movie masterpiece "Plan 9 from Outer Space" two years earlier as the film's hero Jeff Trent. It was Jeff who ended up belting Eros, the outer space alien, for his uncalled for and nasty remark about Jeff and his fellow earthlings in telling him that "All you on Earth are Idiots"!
Very introverted and living all his life on an Arizona Indian reservation Ira felt that serving his country in wartime would bring him into the mainstream of American life by blending into it. During his boot camp training Ira made friends with the very All-American Boy looking James Sorenson, James Francisus, who became his best and lifelong, in Sorenson's case, friend. That friendship came to a sudden end on the island of Iwo Jima where Sorenson was killed by a Jap sniper and died in Ira's arms. It was during the battle of Iwo Jima that Pvt. Ira Hayes almost by accident ended up being one of the six men in the flag raising photo. In fact the original flag raising took place earlier but there was no one around to photograph it so a second, with a larger American flag, took place with Ira being in it.
No one could overlook the significance of that dramatic combat photo and overnight Ira and the five other US servicemen in it became national hero's. This had the very modest, who never thought of himself as being a hero, and very non-talkative Ira Hayes immediately start to suffer from depression in being put under the microscope by the media which drove him, who until he became a US Marine never touched a drop of alcohol in his entire life, to drink. The pressure of being involved in US War Bond rallies all over the country turned Ira into a such a severe mental case that he become so afraid of meeting people, even his fellow Native Americans, that the only escape he could find from it was either in a bar or a bottle.
Arrested for public drunkenness 52 times over ten years Ira finally had his last drink on January 24 1955 when he fell head first and unconscious into a drainage ditch and ended up drowning himself. In the film Ira's death was made more dramatic in him dying, after getting juiced up, in the Arizona Desert from exposer, from the bitter cold winter weather, with his hand extended like it was in the photo of him raising the flag on Mount Suribachi.
Very accurate, despite it's made up ending, depiction of the life and death of Ira Hayes that turned out to be a true life, not fiction, Amerian tragedy. Ira who wanted to become a part of the American mainstream didn't realize how to act before the cameras and news reporters in him being honest about what he did on Iwo Jima. Ira never considered himself to be a hero feeling that all the hero's of the war, like his good friend James Sorenson, were already dead. With the pressures of being something that he felt he really wasn't, a full blooded American war hero, Ira slowly fell apart and the kicker was when he was't elected to the local Indian council on his reservation. Hurt and depressed in being rejected by his own people Ira let the booze, that was slowly killing him over the last 10 years, finally finish him off for good. Ira Hayes was buried at Arlington Cemetery on February 2, 1955 with the top US military brass as well as the President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower in attendance.
P.S Also in the film "The Outsider" is the great Gregory Wallcott as Ira's US Marine drill instructor Sgt. Kiley. Wallcott became immortalized in Ed Wood's bad movie masterpiece "Plan 9 from Outer Space" two years earlier as the film's hero Jeff Trent. It was Jeff who ended up belting Eros, the outer space alien, for his uncalled for and nasty remark about Jeff and his fellow earthlings in telling him that "All you on Earth are Idiots"!
Fame Chose Him
bkoganbing6 May 2010
Clint Eastwood in Flags Of Our Fathers has probably given us the definitive version of the story of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. Three of the six were later killed in action before the the flag raising became a Marine Corps symbol. The other three came back to all kinds of publicity because they became media heroes.
Probably you couldn't find three more ordinary guys than Jesse Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Ira Hayes. The first two lived long lives in respectable obscurity after their 15 minutes of fame finally died down. Ira Hayes was unique in that he both survived and was a minority group member.
When Branch Rickey decided it was time to integrate baseball Jackie Robinson was chosen after a very careful selection process. Ira Hayes was part of a group photograph of a flag raising during a lull in a great battle. Fame chose him and as we see in The Outsider, he wasn't ready to deal with it.
Tony Curtis gives one of his best screen performances as Ira Hayes, the Pima Indian kid who mere chance at being in the photographer's lens when an immortal picture was snapped gave him fame he didn't want to deal with. How could he, really he was probably no better or worse than any of the other men and simply raising a flag during a lull of battle wasn't anything heroic. Hayes was acutely aware of this and felt himself unworthy to be the Jackie Robinson for the Pima Indians.
Such a sad story that Tony Curtis brings to us on the big screen. How would we deal with fame if it was suddenly thrust upon us for no discernible reason? Something Ira Hayes asked until the day he died.
Ira Hayes and Tony Curtis, himself a World War II veteran, wouldn't mind if this review was dedicated to all the men who served in the Marine Corps and fought for that volcanic island in the Pacific called Iwo Jima. Just another hero in the company of thousands of heroes, that's what Ira Hayes would have wanted.
Probably you couldn't find three more ordinary guys than Jesse Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Ira Hayes. The first two lived long lives in respectable obscurity after their 15 minutes of fame finally died down. Ira Hayes was unique in that he both survived and was a minority group member.
When Branch Rickey decided it was time to integrate baseball Jackie Robinson was chosen after a very careful selection process. Ira Hayes was part of a group photograph of a flag raising during a lull in a great battle. Fame chose him and as we see in The Outsider, he wasn't ready to deal with it.
Tony Curtis gives one of his best screen performances as Ira Hayes, the Pima Indian kid who mere chance at being in the photographer's lens when an immortal picture was snapped gave him fame he didn't want to deal with. How could he, really he was probably no better or worse than any of the other men and simply raising a flag during a lull of battle wasn't anything heroic. Hayes was acutely aware of this and felt himself unworthy to be the Jackie Robinson for the Pima Indians.
Such a sad story that Tony Curtis brings to us on the big screen. How would we deal with fame if it was suddenly thrust upon us for no discernible reason? Something Ira Hayes asked until the day he died.
Ira Hayes and Tony Curtis, himself a World War II veteran, wouldn't mind if this review was dedicated to all the men who served in the Marine Corps and fought for that volcanic island in the Pacific called Iwo Jima. Just another hero in the company of thousands of heroes, that's what Ira Hayes would have wanted.
The Outsider
CinemaSerf3 June 2023
I never found Tony Curtis to be terribly versatile but he did have charisma, and that comes to his rescue here in what might be his best on-screen performance without the benefit of a comedy foil. Here he is "Ira Hayes" - a Native American who determines to join the US Marine Corps. Initially, he faces bigotry and bit of supremacy, but now nicknamed the "Chief" and befriended by his erstwhile antagonist "Sorenson" (the terribly wooden James Franciscus) he finds himself in the heat of battle and enjoying the rewards of victory and enduring the bitterest of tragedy. It's afterwards that the rot starts to set in, though. His superiors want some of their bravest soldiers to embark on a nationwide tour to help raise war bond cash, and he's drafted in. In the beginning thrilled by the adulation, it all starts to go to his head (and his liver) and he starts to become a bit of a liability. Returned to the front lines then back to his tribe where he takes a vow of sobriety, even tries for election, but somehow contentment evades him. He feels guilt for his fallen friend, he feels guilt for surviving himself, he feels truly alone - and... It's a poignant story that resonates well with Curtis putting great effort into characterising this brave, but flawed, man largely abandoned by the military authorities when he was of no further use on the battlefield or on the television. The booze or the bullets or both? Well worth a watch, this.
A highly flawed story...best to see the remake.
planktonrules4 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
"The Outsider" is the mostly true story of Ira Hayes, a WWII hero who was reluctantly thrust into the limelight. While the story is interesting and worth seeing, sadly the film is also incredibly flawed and I think it's best you see a later re-telling of Hayes' story, "Flags of Our Fathers".
The story is based on Hayes experience as a US Marine during WWII. During the hellish battle of Iwo Jima, he came to fame because he was one of a group of soldiers who raised the American flag on Mount Sirubachi...a scene later imortalized by the Iwo Jima monument outside Arlington Cemetery. His difficulties coping with the ensuing fame and his post-war infamous exploits are detailed in the film.
The most obvious problem with "The Outsider" is the casting. Tony Curtis playes Hayes...even though the real Hayes was an American Indian from the Pima nation. He did NOT look nor sound 'Indiany' in the least and painting Curtis brown (yes, they actually DID this) and his non-native family didn't make them look like Pima Indians and today such things would be rightfully seen as pretty tacky. The other problem is that the film changed the way Hayes died and de-emphasized that he was destroyed, essentially, from PTSD. Overall, while the story is compelling at times, it also is a bit dishonest in the portrayal of the man's tragic life. Worth seeing, perhaps.
The story is based on Hayes experience as a US Marine during WWII. During the hellish battle of Iwo Jima, he came to fame because he was one of a group of soldiers who raised the American flag on Mount Sirubachi...a scene later imortalized by the Iwo Jima monument outside Arlington Cemetery. His difficulties coping with the ensuing fame and his post-war infamous exploits are detailed in the film.
The most obvious problem with "The Outsider" is the casting. Tony Curtis playes Hayes...even though the real Hayes was an American Indian from the Pima nation. He did NOT look nor sound 'Indiany' in the least and painting Curtis brown (yes, they actually DID this) and his non-native family didn't make them look like Pima Indians and today such things would be rightfully seen as pretty tacky. The other problem is that the film changed the way Hayes died and de-emphasized that he was destroyed, essentially, from PTSD. Overall, while the story is compelling at times, it also is a bit dishonest in the portrayal of the man's tragic life. Worth seeing, perhaps.
Tony Curtis in His Finest Role, Finest Movie.
vitaleralphlouis13 August 2006
Tony Curtis as a serious actor was pretty much a joke at the height of his career when he was the darling of the teenyboppers; but he finally delivered an AAA+ role in this gritty and unforgettable saga of "drunken Ira Hayes" --- perhaps the best known World War II soldier after super-hero Audie Murphy. Audie Murphy was the greatest and most decorated soldier of World War II; but all Ira Hayes really did was help a few other men erect the flag at Iwo Jima. How this single act bestowed undeserved and unwanted fame on this fine Puma Indian man, and how this destroyed his life, are the essence of this extraordinary film. This picture knocked me out 45 years ago, a film you never forget.
Not your average movie
mercury419 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The Outsider is not your average movie. It is not your average war film and it is not even your average biopic. It is a very dramatic true story that really makes you think.
The Outsider tells the true story of the Indian that raised the flag on Iwo Jima with the five other marines. He is Ira Hayes, one of the most reluctant heroes you will ever see. As a young Pima man on the reservation, Ira decides to enlist in the Marines. He talks it over with his chief and then he is off to honor his tribe. I don't think they make the Marine Corps look tough enough, but the scenes are good when he is writing home to his family, telling them how great things are, even when they could be better.
Along the way, Hayes makes a friend, Sorenson. There is a scene when Sorenson and some of the other marines get drunk. When they are literally pouring liquor down Ira's throat, a brawl ensues. The fight scene between Hayes and Sorenson plays out very realistically. When they're through beating the hell out of each other, they're sorry. Hayes keeps the drunk Sorenson out of trouble and the two bond. Their time under fire on Iwo Jima only strengthens their bond. Sorenson is even there to raise the flag with Ira and the others. Knowing the impact that flag raising had and what it symbolized, you would assume it was a high point in Ira's life. But it actually leads to his downfall.
After Sorenson is killed, Ira Hayes and the two other flag raisers that are left, Rene Gagnon and Doc Bradley, are shipped home. Upon arriving they receive a hero's welcome. They are there to go on a tour around the country to sell war bonds. Ira hates the whole idea. He can't stomach being called a hero. Hayes is riddled with guilt for cashing in on, what he feels, is a lie. It is also eating him up inside that he survived and all of his friends were killed. In Ira's book, they were better men than him.
After a while it is more than he can bear. Ira takes up drinking and his life goes downhill. He drinks and drinks his life away to escape all of his sadness and guilt. At one point in the movie, Ira Hayes is mentioned alongside Jim Thorpe, another Indian hero. The saddest thing about that is they both became alcoholics and died young.
I actually found this to be a well-made film. Tony Curtis' acting was great. I think Curtis was even better than Adam Beach in the role of Ira Hayes. I would definitely call it one of his best performances. I've seen Flags of Our Fathers, but I'd have to say the portrayal of Hayes in The Outsider is much better. Thanks to Tony Curtis and the great script, I actually found it to be more believable. This movie really shows you Ira's guilt and anger. One of the best scenes is the one when his friend Jay comes to visit him. The great Indian hero of Iwo Jima is now working as a janitor. Jay can see how much Ira has changed. Jay asks Ira what happened to the Pima boy he used to know. Ira yells that he never came back. Ira also says that he's got no right to be there. Another great part is the part when Ira meets Sorenson's mother. It is a very heartwarming scene and it kind of reminds you of the scene in Flags of Our Fathers when Hayes meets Mike Strank's mother.
Before I saw this movie, I wondered why they called it The Outsider and then I realized it was because Ira Hayes could not find a place he belonged when he got back from the war. They never do tell you in the movie that Hayes has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but it's plain to see all of the screams on that island of men dying really weighed on him. The Outsider isn't even a violent movie. You are left to use your imagination.
I didn't like how they only talk about one of Ira's friends in the movie, Sorenson, who wasn't even a real person. The movie should've talked more about his other friends and it should've talked more about his interaction with Gagnon and Bradley. I also think there should've been more battle scenes. It would've added a lot more to the film. The ending was a little inaccurate too. They showed Ira Hayes losing his guilt and finding his way back home, only to lose all hope when he isn't elected on the council. The truth is, his feelings never did change. After attending the ceremony portrayed in the movie, Ira never did find hope. He did however go back to the reservation. But the part about not getting elected isn't true. One night Hayes drank himself to death. In reality, Ira Hayes passed out in a hut and he ended up dying from exposure. In the movie they really dramatize his death. Instead, they show him climb to the top of a mountain of despair. He realizes that he doesn't belong anywhere anymore. He gets drunk and passes out on the mountaintop. It is inaccurate, but one of the most original death scenes I've seen. It was very well shot. As he's passing out you can see the camera in a first person view going out of focus.
Overall, The Outsider is a great movie and a classic that deserves more recognition and a DVD release. Don't miss this one. If you can get a hold of it, definitely see it.
The Outsider tells the true story of the Indian that raised the flag on Iwo Jima with the five other marines. He is Ira Hayes, one of the most reluctant heroes you will ever see. As a young Pima man on the reservation, Ira decides to enlist in the Marines. He talks it over with his chief and then he is off to honor his tribe. I don't think they make the Marine Corps look tough enough, but the scenes are good when he is writing home to his family, telling them how great things are, even when they could be better.
Along the way, Hayes makes a friend, Sorenson. There is a scene when Sorenson and some of the other marines get drunk. When they are literally pouring liquor down Ira's throat, a brawl ensues. The fight scene between Hayes and Sorenson plays out very realistically. When they're through beating the hell out of each other, they're sorry. Hayes keeps the drunk Sorenson out of trouble and the two bond. Their time under fire on Iwo Jima only strengthens their bond. Sorenson is even there to raise the flag with Ira and the others. Knowing the impact that flag raising had and what it symbolized, you would assume it was a high point in Ira's life. But it actually leads to his downfall.
After Sorenson is killed, Ira Hayes and the two other flag raisers that are left, Rene Gagnon and Doc Bradley, are shipped home. Upon arriving they receive a hero's welcome. They are there to go on a tour around the country to sell war bonds. Ira hates the whole idea. He can't stomach being called a hero. Hayes is riddled with guilt for cashing in on, what he feels, is a lie. It is also eating him up inside that he survived and all of his friends were killed. In Ira's book, they were better men than him.
After a while it is more than he can bear. Ira takes up drinking and his life goes downhill. He drinks and drinks his life away to escape all of his sadness and guilt. At one point in the movie, Ira Hayes is mentioned alongside Jim Thorpe, another Indian hero. The saddest thing about that is they both became alcoholics and died young.
I actually found this to be a well-made film. Tony Curtis' acting was great. I think Curtis was even better than Adam Beach in the role of Ira Hayes. I would definitely call it one of his best performances. I've seen Flags of Our Fathers, but I'd have to say the portrayal of Hayes in The Outsider is much better. Thanks to Tony Curtis and the great script, I actually found it to be more believable. This movie really shows you Ira's guilt and anger. One of the best scenes is the one when his friend Jay comes to visit him. The great Indian hero of Iwo Jima is now working as a janitor. Jay can see how much Ira has changed. Jay asks Ira what happened to the Pima boy he used to know. Ira yells that he never came back. Ira also says that he's got no right to be there. Another great part is the part when Ira meets Sorenson's mother. It is a very heartwarming scene and it kind of reminds you of the scene in Flags of Our Fathers when Hayes meets Mike Strank's mother.
Before I saw this movie, I wondered why they called it The Outsider and then I realized it was because Ira Hayes could not find a place he belonged when he got back from the war. They never do tell you in the movie that Hayes has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but it's plain to see all of the screams on that island of men dying really weighed on him. The Outsider isn't even a violent movie. You are left to use your imagination.
I didn't like how they only talk about one of Ira's friends in the movie, Sorenson, who wasn't even a real person. The movie should've talked more about his other friends and it should've talked more about his interaction with Gagnon and Bradley. I also think there should've been more battle scenes. It would've added a lot more to the film. The ending was a little inaccurate too. They showed Ira Hayes losing his guilt and finding his way back home, only to lose all hope when he isn't elected on the council. The truth is, his feelings never did change. After attending the ceremony portrayed in the movie, Ira never did find hope. He did however go back to the reservation. But the part about not getting elected isn't true. One night Hayes drank himself to death. In reality, Ira Hayes passed out in a hut and he ended up dying from exposure. In the movie they really dramatize his death. Instead, they show him climb to the top of a mountain of despair. He realizes that he doesn't belong anywhere anymore. He gets drunk and passes out on the mountaintop. It is inaccurate, but one of the most original death scenes I've seen. It was very well shot. As he's passing out you can see the camera in a first person view going out of focus.
Overall, The Outsider is a great movie and a classic that deserves more recognition and a DVD release. Don't miss this one. If you can get a hold of it, definitely see it.
Great Movie
jkin3558719 February 2002
This is one of the best wartime movies that I have ever seen. It was very touching and very well acted. This movie is a good dramatisation of what it is really like in the military. As a military vet I know what it was like to have good friends and how to work as a team.
Where IS This Classic? ON TCM THIS WEEK!!
pylgrym26 February 2005
I would love to see it. Just returned from the Doss, Texas reenactment/commemoration of the Battlle of Iwo Jima and Ira Hayes' name figures prominently in it's lore and legend. Tony Curtis should get an Oscar for his lifetime of work in the entertainment industry. His contributions have been huge and by all accounts his portrayal of Hayes is remarkable in its own right. Why has this movie been slighted all these years? And why is this movie so hard to find? Couldn't be because the director has had some troubles; Delbert Mann is Ray Harryhausen and Ray Bradbury's age and was active in directing well into his seventies.... Heck, he directed "Marty" for TV and for the 1955 Academy Award-winning movie; so where is the recognition this film so obviously deserves?
OK film, extremely BAD history
HistoryFilmBuff20 November 2010
Warning: Spoilers
If one didn't know the actual history one might mistake this film for the truth. And that's a shame, since a story as important as this deserves absolute truth. Worse is that the film presents itself as absolutely true, and more than a few reviews here accept that at face value.
FACT: Hayes had multiple friends in his platoon, was widely liked, was friendly and outspoken. He wasn't the shy, easily intimidated pushover surrounded by indifferent or even racist soldiers.
FACT: Hayes's drinking problem was sporadic, and not as devastating as shown. He was in fact a very LIGHT drinker, and thus a few drinks could get him drunk far easier a severe alcoholic could. Ironically this film's stance against racism is undercut by perpetuating a racist stereotype about Natives.
And just plain strange...the film shows the friendship between Hayes and the fictional Sorenson as a thinly veiled frustrated gay relationship. That's because the screenwriter was a closeted gay man back in the days when much of society wouldn't accept that. He projected his own struggles onto Hayes, which is really bad (and confusing) filmmaking.
Almost as strange...the bizarre choice of Curtis as Hayes, done up in heavy pancake makeup that makes him look almost like a drag queen at Halloween. Coupled with his "poor little me" impression of Hayes, it comes off as about as realistic as a boy scout dressed in plastic feathers giving a speech about "us poor Indians." Hayes deserved far better than this, and so does the audience. Thank God for Flags of Our Fathers finally giving the world a far more decent (and more accurate) picture.
FACT: Hayes had multiple friends in his platoon, was widely liked, was friendly and outspoken. He wasn't the shy, easily intimidated pushover surrounded by indifferent or even racist soldiers.
FACT: Hayes's drinking problem was sporadic, and not as devastating as shown. He was in fact a very LIGHT drinker, and thus a few drinks could get him drunk far easier a severe alcoholic could. Ironically this film's stance against racism is undercut by perpetuating a racist stereotype about Natives.
And just plain strange...the film shows the friendship between Hayes and the fictional Sorenson as a thinly veiled frustrated gay relationship. That's because the screenwriter was a closeted gay man back in the days when much of society wouldn't accept that. He projected his own struggles onto Hayes, which is really bad (and confusing) filmmaking.
Almost as strange...the bizarre choice of Curtis as Hayes, done up in heavy pancake makeup that makes him look almost like a drag queen at Halloween. Coupled with his "poor little me" impression of Hayes, it comes off as about as realistic as a boy scout dressed in plastic feathers giving a speech about "us poor Indians." Hayes deserved far better than this, and so does the audience. Thank God for Flags of Our Fathers finally giving the world a far more decent (and more accurate) picture.
A wonderful movie that has such feeling and speaks volumes of the USA
autobenelux6 December 2005
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.
why did we take his fame
kap30220 June 2006
the outsider was an excellent movie and a great example of how we gave fame to someone at the top and then just dumped them at the bottom to rot this is a movie so good it stirs emotions so well it makes you want to scream at our government wake up!!!!!!! you don't give something and then abruptly takes it away but then that is typical of what the us government has done to the American Indian for how many hundreds of years NOW ? yet alone the American public bravo to ira Hayes why didn't the pima indians holler out why didn't the American public wake up America!!!!! all veterans yes this is 21st century and vets have more rights now than ever from one Indian to another ira Hayes your memory shall never die nor shall your death be in vein bravo to tony curtis for a fantastic performance!!!!
This film should be compared with any new versions of Hayes' story
richardpbuck20 October 2006
The recent announcement of a new film reminded me of this 1961 film. Ira Hayes, like Audie Murphy, was a great American hero. Both came to unfortunate and tragic ends. Murphy's life was cut short by an accident. Hayes' life glorified his experience raising the flag on Iwo Jima. But he felt that his performance was a service and a natural consequence of his military duty. He felt guilty and it upset his entire later life. It was too bad that the Puma Indian (Hayes) was misused for extensive advertising and recruitment during and after WWII.
We can hope that all Americans will continue to remember and to praise their heroes and heroic military exploits in defense of our country and way of life that is again under attack by people who never contributed to or experienced the Renaissance or the Enlightenment.
We can hope that all Americans will continue to remember and to praise their heroes and heroic military exploits in defense of our country and way of life that is again under attack by people who never contributed to or experienced the Renaissance or the Enlightenment.
Another original that has been remade for a fast buck
jon-weiss14 November 2006
This movie is an excellent (my judgement based on other research) portrayal of the life of Ira Hayes after Iwo Jima. Hayes gets selected as a hero then tries to live down what he feels is a farce of advertising. It has been recently remade as "Flags Of Our Fathers" aptly named since it's initials are FOOF a word used to describe a chair designed to be comfortable, the new version Flags of our Fathers is a feel good piece to make people feel good about heros and bashing war all in one neat package. Given a choice between the two The Outsider is far superior to it's more contemporary remake in all areas except the special effects.
The Outsider-Probes the Inside of Man ****
edwagreen15 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
A phenomenal movie where Tony Curtis proved what a great actor he has been with the versatile roles he has done.
The make-up artist who had Curtis made up to look like an American-Indian did a phenomenal job.
Curtis gives a standout performance as the American-Indian who could not cope with notoriety when he and his buddy helped raise the American flag in that famous picture at Iwo Jima.
The picture is sad from the beginning. While in boot camp, Curtis lies to the folks back home in Arizona while writing them that he is one of the guys. Truth is he is shunned by nearly all and is given a very hard time by the drill sergeant. Yes, prejudice was alive and well in the U.S. Army.
Unable to cope with his fame, Hayes (Curtis) resorts to drinking and this affects him badly on the bond tour that he and the other survivors are sent on. What a poignant scene when he meets the mothers of those soldiers on the portrait who did not survive the war.
Amazing that the army would allow him to continue on the tour while he is boozing it up. Bruce Bennett, as the General, who finally sent him back to combat, is miscast here. He lacked the toughness needed for such a part.
There is a wonderful, brief supporting performance by James Franciscus, a soldier who befriended Hayes after fighting him. When the two are called to a meeting and the Franciscus character is killed, his death sets the motion of Hayes's downward spiral.
This is the story of a plain person who could not cope with fame. He saw it as hypocrisy as he felt that he was never a hero to begin with.
While the tragic ending was made for Hollywood consideration, the story is one of failure of the human spirit to adapt to what happens to one.
This was one of Tony Curtis's best performances and am amazed that he wasn't Oscar nominated for this.
The make-up artist who had Curtis made up to look like an American-Indian did a phenomenal job.
Curtis gives a standout performance as the American-Indian who could not cope with notoriety when he and his buddy helped raise the American flag in that famous picture at Iwo Jima.
The picture is sad from the beginning. While in boot camp, Curtis lies to the folks back home in Arizona while writing them that he is one of the guys. Truth is he is shunned by nearly all and is given a very hard time by the drill sergeant. Yes, prejudice was alive and well in the U.S. Army.
Unable to cope with his fame, Hayes (Curtis) resorts to drinking and this affects him badly on the bond tour that he and the other survivors are sent on. What a poignant scene when he meets the mothers of those soldiers on the portrait who did not survive the war.
Amazing that the army would allow him to continue on the tour while he is boozing it up. Bruce Bennett, as the General, who finally sent him back to combat, is miscast here. He lacked the toughness needed for such a part.
There is a wonderful, brief supporting performance by James Franciscus, a soldier who befriended Hayes after fighting him. When the two are called to a meeting and the Franciscus character is killed, his death sets the motion of Hayes's downward spiral.
This is the story of a plain person who could not cope with fame. He saw it as hypocrisy as he felt that he was never a hero to begin with.
While the tragic ending was made for Hollywood consideration, the story is one of failure of the human spirit to adapt to what happens to one.
This was one of Tony Curtis's best performances and am amazed that he wasn't Oscar nominated for this.
The Outsider - Strong Drama Based On Real Life
krocheav26 May 2018
This version of the story of Ira Hayes was certainly an uncommon movie for Hollywood in 1961. It was also somewhat uncommon for pretty boy Tony Curtis to play such a downbeat and totally sympathetic character. Curtis proved here that he was a first-class actor who could turn in well-realized performances, displaying a wide range of human emotions. While it could be said the script took some liberties with certain aspects of the facts (but don't they all) it fairly well represents a reasonable outline of this tragic man's life and the dangers of propaganda 'Hero' worship. Fine direction, cinematography and production values maintain the somber atmosphere needed to bring this realistic drama to vivid life. Bruce Bennett gives good support as General Bridges back in the US.
The public doesn't seem to take very well to stories that tell it like it sadly can be for some - so this classic disappeared and rarely surfaced following its initial release. With many above-average elements making up this compelling story its worth finding on DVD to see this rare, almost overlooked mini-masterpiece. The theatrical trailer of the day was one of the few commercial promos that gave audiences an accurate introduction to the power of the story it was selling - that's also rare & commendable. Don't be distracted by Curtis playing a Pima Indian he carries the role admirably and there were very few performers of the day (if any) who could have done better.
The SHOCK Hollywood Gold Series DVD release is about the very best quality you're likely to get of this fine film. It offers a clean, clear image transfer and good sound (beware of several poor-quality DVDs taken from badly scratched film copy's that spoil the experience of this strong story and one of Curtis's finest screen performances (if not his very best!)
The public doesn't seem to take very well to stories that tell it like it sadly can be for some - so this classic disappeared and rarely surfaced following its initial release. With many above-average elements making up this compelling story its worth finding on DVD to see this rare, almost overlooked mini-masterpiece. The theatrical trailer of the day was one of the few commercial promos that gave audiences an accurate introduction to the power of the story it was selling - that's also rare & commendable. Don't be distracted by Curtis playing a Pima Indian he carries the role admirably and there were very few performers of the day (if any) who could have done better.
The SHOCK Hollywood Gold Series DVD release is about the very best quality you're likely to get of this fine film. It offers a clean, clear image transfer and good sound (beware of several poor-quality DVDs taken from badly scratched film copy's that spoil the experience of this strong story and one of Curtis's finest screen performances (if not his very best!)
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