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directed by Howard Hughes, Howard Hawks
USA 1943

 

This controversial and legendary western launched the career of sex goddess Jane Russell (His Kind of Woman) and is infamous due to its violations of the Production Code. The Outlaw follows the friendship of Billy the Kid (Jack Buetel, Rose of Cimarron) and fellow outlaw Doc Holliday (Walter Huston, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre), as they both pursue the affections of Holliday's girlfriend, Rio (Russell), while being chased through the desert by Sheriff Pat Garrett (Thomas Mitchell, Stagecoach) and his posse. Financed and directed by reclusive tycoon Howard Hughes (Hell's Angels), his second and final directing effort--the film's release was delayed several years due to censorship issues and public outroar relating to Russell's abundant cleavage! It finally received a wide release by United Artists in 1946 and became a big box office hit. Legendary filmmaker Howard Hawks (Rio Bravo) co-directed the film with Hughes, but was not credited!

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The Outlaw (1943), Howard Hughes' would-be epic about the adventures of Billy the Kid, was a triumph of motion-picture marketing. Originally intended as the Western to break all the conventions of Westerns, the film's controversial sex appeal and salacious ad campaign turned the picture into an outlaw itself.

Though a film about the notorious Billy the Kid was hardly groundbreaking at the time, The Outlaw could have taken an innovative approach to its portrayal of him. However, Hughes wasn't interested in pushing the envelope in regards to the basic storyline which opens with Billy the Kid, played by newcomer Jack Beutel, befriending Walter Huston's Doc Holliday. After Billy narrowly avoids capture by the law, he and Doc Holliday retreat to Holliday's ranch where Billy meets Doc's sexy mistress, Rio (Jane Russell). From this point on, the real stars of The Outlaw emerge - Russell's breasts and a peasant blouse that refuses to stay buttoned.

 Excerpt from TCM located HERE

Posters etc.

Theatrical Release: February 5th, 1943

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Review: Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Covers

 

   

 
Distribution

Kino
Region 'A' Blu-ray
Runtime

1:56:05.208

Video

Disc Size: 21,186,414,623 bytes

Feature Size: 19,765,641,216 bytes

Average Bitrate: 19.66 Mbps

Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
Bitrate:

 

Kino Blu-ray

 

Audio

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1558 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1558 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit)
Commentary:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbpss
Subtitles None
Features Release Information:
Studio: Kino

 

Disc Size: 21,186,414,623 bytes

Feature Size: 19,765,641,216 bytes

Average Bitrate: 19.66 Mbps

Single-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:
• Audio Commentary by Film Historian Troy Howarth
• Theatrical Trailer (1:41)

Blu-ray  Release Date: February 27th, 2018
Standard Blu-ray case

Chapters: 9

 

Comments

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Kino Blu-ray - February 18': Kino's transfer boasts a 'brand new 2K restoration' and from previous DVD editions this does look remarkable superior, although there are inconsistencies inherent in the source. Texture is present and for most of the 1080P presentation the image appealing if not stellar. 

DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel (16-bit) lossless audio, for the original English audio, with minimal aggressive effects but the score by Victor Young (The Accused, Strategic Air Command, The Sun Shines Bright, Johnny Guitar, China Gate etc.) sounds supportive and authentically flat. It sounds imperfect and on par with the video in the lossless transfer There are no subtitles and the Blu-ray disc is Region 'A' - locked.

Extras offer an audio commentary with film historian Troy Howarth (author of So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films), who, amusingly, warns at the beginning regarding his comments to those sensitive about discussion of breasts. He does a great job of identifying details of the most offbeat and fetishistic western of the 40's. He comments on the 'loaded dialogue', 'gay subtext' and much more. It is educational and entertaining. There is also a theatrical trailer and trailers for 4 other films.

Kino have given us this fascinating, suggestive, western - essential historical artifact - in a new 1080P transfer with wonderful commentary identifying its subbversive uniqueness. There is plenty of value here with this Blu-ray - Wow. Strongly recommended! 

 - Gary Tooze

Kino - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Box Covers

 

   

 
Distribution

Kino
Region 'A' Blu-ray

 



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