The Outlaw (1943)

89% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
35% of users liked it
(1,421 ratings)

Perhaps Hollywood's greatest success du scandal of the 1940s, this odd psychological Western became a box office hit largely thanks to the costuming of leading lady Jane Russell (or, more accurately, its relative absence). Billy the Kid (Jack Buetel) and Doc Holliday (Walter Huston) are close… More Perhaps Hollywood's greatest success du scandal of the 1940s, this odd psychological Western became a box office hit largely thanks to the costuming of leading lady Jane Russell (or, more accurately, its relative absence). Billy the Kid (Jack Buetel) and Doc Holliday (Walter Huston) are close friends until lawman Pat Garrett (Thomas Mitchell) attempts to ambush Billy and put him behind bars. Doc brings Billy to his ranch to hide out, but when Billy meets Doc's mistress Rio (Russell), he's instantly attracted to the buxom beauty. An intense chemistry quickly grows between them, despite the fact that Billy murdered Rio's brother. Billy and Rio secretly marry, but their love runs hot and cold, and soon Billy, Doc, and Rio are fighting among themselves as they're chased through the desert by Garrett and his posse. Director Howard Hawks and screenwriter Ben Hecht both worked on The Outlaw, but they went uncredited after disputes with the legendarily difficult financier (and sometimes producer/director) Howard Hughes, whose battles with the censors resulted in the film spending three years on the shelf before finally gaining wide release in a cut version in 1946. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Howard Hughes
Written By: Jules Furthman
Genres: Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1943 Wide
On DVD: Apr 29, 1998
Studio: American Pop Classics

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
One of the weirdest westerns of all time, reflecting the eccentricities of its producer and credited director, Howard Hughes.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
By today's standards the film is naive and amateurish, but in 1943, it was one of the most scandalous features Hollywood has made due to Howard Hughes brilliant campaign to exploit Jane Russell's buxum.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Stagey, not that well written, acted or directed (by Howard Hughes) western. More infamous than good.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
There are only two reasons why anyone was intrigued with this film...can you guess?
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
The film would be G-rated today, but at the time, that hint of skin was enough to send people scampering for a little water to put on their brow.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Surprisingly, this minor, off-beat western didn't turn out that bad.
, Boxoffice Magazine
Howard Hughes' long-awaited celluloid interpretation of the life, love and legend of Billy the Kid approaches its chore of chronicling with more regard to historical authenticity than most of the countless predecessors of similar theme.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Infamous western is really not very good with several obviously rear projection scenes really taking you out of the movie. Fictional story of Billy the Kid is troubled in many places perhaps the biggest is Buetel a blank faced black hole at the center of the film. Even the usually… More
Infamous western is really not very good with several obviously rear projection scenes really taking you out of the movie. Fictional story of Billy the Kid is troubled in many places perhaps the biggest is Buetel a blank faced black hole at the center of the film. Even the usually great Huston and Thomas Mitchell give weak hammy performances and Jane Russell while extremely lush and fresh had not yet learned how to act in front of the camera but does exude presence and charisma missing from the rest of the film. It's overlong to boot!
Barry L

Magnifisent sizzling Western with one of the worlds most beautiful screen sirens ever to grace the limelight.
Sarah P

Tacky and didn't hold my attention. I guess it would have been thrilling in the 40's, but not now...

Cast

            Jack Buetel as Billy the Kid

            Jane Russell as Rio

            Thomas Mitchell as Pat Garrett

            Walter Huston as Doc Holliday

            Mimi Aguglia as Aunt Guadelupe

            Joe Sawyer as Charley

            Gene Rizzi as Stranger

            Bob Callahan as Boy

            Frank Darien as Shorty

            Dick Elliott
            
            Martin Garralaga as Waiter

            Ben Johnson
            
            Cecil Kellogg as Officer

            Ethan Laidlaw
            
            Arthur Loft
            
            Ted Mapes as Guard

            William Newell as Drunk Cowboy

            Emory Parnell as Dolan

            Edward Peil Sr. as Swanson

            Nina Quartero as Chita

            Wallace Reid Jr. as Bystander

            Julian Rivero as Pablo

            John Sheehan as Salesman

            Lee Shumway as Dealer

            William Steele as Deputy

            Carl Stockdale as Minister

            Pat West as Bartender

            Lee "Lasses" White as Coach Driver

            Dick Jones
            
            Ed Brady
            
See full cast