Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- melodramatic
- surreal
- sardonic
- classic film night
- western double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a second-rate, slow, crudely acted western, though its unusual premise and occasional entertainment value have attracted later curiosity.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The shifting bond among Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday, Pat Garrett, and Rio drives the story and repeatedly disrupts conventional loyalties.
The unusual relationships, heightened dialogue, and eccentric treatment of famous western characters give the film a strange, exaggerated register.
The keyworded gay theme and the intense, possessive friendship between Doc and Billy complicate the film's frontier masculinity.
The film is presented in black and white, using the visual conventions of the studio-era western for its New Mexico setting and action.
Films like The Outlaw, and why
My Darling Clementine
classic western setting, outlaw mythology, and tense friendship dynamics among legendary frontier figures
The Gunfighter
black-and-white western drama centered on famous gunfighters, strained loyalties, and a climactic showdown
Jesse James
stylized revisionist western treatment of historical outlaws with theatrical performances and interpersonal rivalry
Movie Details
- Director
- Howard Hughes
- Release Date
- 1943-02-05
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 5.4 / 10 (111)
Cast
- Jack Buetel
- Jane Russell
- Thomas Mitchell
- Walter Huston
- Mimi Aguglia
- Joe Sawyer
- Gene Rizzi
- Bobby Callahan
- Martín Garralaga
- Ben Johnson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, Brew, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Pure Flix, Fandor Amazon Channel, FlixFling, IndieFlix, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Troma NOW, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Dove Amazon Channel, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, FilmBox Live Amazon Channel, Great American Pure Flix Amazon Channel, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Brew, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Brew, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Outlaw about?
- A strange, slow-burning western reimagines Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday, Pat Garrett, and Rio as rivals bound by volatile friendship, desire, and betrayal.
- What is The Outlaw like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Outlaw as slow, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Outlaw violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Outlaw as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Outlaw?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a second-rate, slow, crudely acted western, though its unusual premise and occasional entertainment value have attracted later curiosity.
- Which films are like The Outlaw?
- Films with a similar feel include My Darling Clementine, The Gunfighter, and Jesse James.
- How long is The Outlaw?
- The Outlaw runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Outlaw?
- In United States, The Outlaw streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, Brew, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Pure Flix, Fandor Amazon Channel, FlixFling, IndieFlix, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Troma NOW, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, Dove Amazon Channel, IndieFlix Shorts Amazon Channel, FilmBox Live Amazon Channel, Great American Pure Flix Amazon Channel, Artiflix.
