This trailer may remind us of the old saying It is lonely at the top. Apparently, that was also the message behind Citizen Kane, but is it any better at the bottom? People don’t make movies about those who don’t make it.
New York Times, By A.H. Weiler, October 8, 1964; Paul Newman Starred in 'The Outrage''; Michael Kanin Version, Directed by Ritt---TO judge by "The Outrage," which opened yesterday at the DeMille and Sutton Theaters, the director Martin Ritt and Paul Newman, his star, are rock-chinned, undaunted types. In remaking the now classic Japanese "Rashomon," they almost belligerently invited comparisons but, more importantly, they dissected aspects of human frailty and "truth" to create a brisk and challenging drama far removed from the norm in film fare. Since comparisons are in order, the purists may have a minor point in finding fault with the fact that Mr. Ritt and Michael Kanin, his script writer, have transferred this strange and perplexing saga from ancient Nippon and its exotic people and mores to the post-Civil War Southwestern border country of the United States and its rough citizens. They may cavil, too, with the change in approach to one of the story's major episodes. It still seems logical that this decidedly unusual mixture of Oriental drama and melodrama is better fitted to old Japan than to the Old West. But even though the present version is on occasion flippant rather than serious, it is not, by and large, a desecration of an important work. Suffice it to say that this dedicated troupe has basically cleaved to its unconventional source material. As in the original, the story starts with three strangers-a disillusioned young preacher, a cynical old con man and a grizzled prospector-sheltering themselves from a rainstorm in the ruins of a whistle stop railroad shack. Through flashbacks and the prodding of the inquisitive con artist, contrasting versions of a recent rape and murder are revealed. According to one account, a notorious bandit enticed a polished, erstwhile Confederate colonel into a forest glade with the offer of a jeweled dagger, tied him to a tree, raped his wife and then murdered him. The bandit says at his trial that he was goaded by the wife into a fight and killed the husband fairly and without premeditation. In the testimony given to a frontier judge, the wife states she was so vilified by her husband, who witnessed her violation, that she fainted, and, on awakening, she found him stabbed. The husband's variation, revealed by an old Indian who chanced on the dying man, is that he was forced into a duel with the outlaw and accidentally fell on the dagger." The Outrage" is not all talk. Mr. Ritt, aided by James Wong Howe, his cameraman, and a complementary score by Alex North, has kept his taut story scenic and moving quickly. The vignettes are action-filled, and the dialogue makes its points crisply and pungently. The script makes the characters complex and thereby enhances the film's tension. Mr. Newman's outlaw is perhaps played too broadly. From the top of his large sombrero to his matted hair, buckskin chaps and down to his large, jangling spurs, he is obviously a rough renegade seeking animal pleasures and self-preservation. But he also, it is revealed, is not a gent who commits murder deviously. "I only keel for to eat," he says in a growling, rasping accent that sounds like a parody of the Mexican villains in old movies. As the wife, Claire Bloom gives a fine, many-shaded performance, with a believable Southern accent that adds to the enigma. As the husband, Laurence Harvey is a mite too genteel and serene to be completely convincing. Howard da Silva, as the guilt-ridden prospector, who also comes up with a climactic confession, is properly disturbed and furtive, while William Shatner, who plays the disillusioned preacher, appears callow and unsure in the role. Edward G. Robinson's portrayal of the bearded, seedy, cocky con artist is earthy and direct. "You tell people what they want to hear," he says scornfully after a session of truth-seeking. In focusing cynically on "truths" that remain a mystery at the film's end, Mr. Ritt and his willing company have done nobly by the original in their provocative and engrossing drama. THE OUTRAGE; screenplay by Michael Kanin; based on the Japanese Daiei film "Rashomon," directed by Akira Kurosawa, and the play "Rashomon," by Fay and Michael Kanin; directed by Martin Ritt, produced by A. Ronald Lubin and presented by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. At the DeMille, Seventh Avenue and 47th Street, and the Sutton, 57th Street and Third Avenue. Running time: 95 minutes. Juan Carrasco . . . . . Paul Newman; Husband . . . . . Laurence Harvey; Wife . . . . . Claire Bloom; Con Man . . . . . Edward G. Robinson; Preacher . . . . . William Shatner; Prospector . . . . . Howard da Silva; Sheriff . . . . . Albert Salmi; Indian . . . . . Paul Fix; Judge . . . . . Thomas Chalmers.
What was it about Jean Harlow that inspired two biopics around the same time, with the same title? The only time I can think of something happening is when Tombstone and Wyatt Earp were released close together.
Geraldine Page is such a bitch in this film that it's hilarious . I enjoy this film the same way I enjoy MOMMIE DEAREST. I love the the scene 1:26:14 into the film where Page smiling overconfidently drives to a pond prepares to dump Ruth Gordon. When she sees that Gordon isn't quite dead, she clobbers her with a purse. When Gordon tells Page ''I told." Page's smile disappears replaced by uppity expressions of outrage. ''Who did you tell? Who?? Was it the girl across the road with your friends? Who? TELL me this instant! Tell me who!" Can't stop laughing!
Im a RALPH MEEKER fan ..hes a mans man....ALSO. Hes the ORIGINAL HAL in PICNIC on Broadway...in the 50s...had a wonderful original cast ...would loved to have seen THAT production.....MEEKER is.an excellent actor......
Me too ! I heard that after this movie, neither he or Carrol Baker could get any worthwhile parts in Hollywood. Their loss,as both were great. Carrol went to Europe for-sleazier fair ( no offense to Europe, their movies beat H.W.'s 50-1,&Asia-well, that might be higher ) - & it seems Meeker was destined for sweaty t.v. roles . Thanx for Meeker mention - bb💙🎶💙
I saw this movie with my grandpa 53years ago ,l was seven years old boy ,l never forgot this movie ,very interesting, l miss my grandpa lot ,rest in peace Beloved Grandpa
0:05- I was. 0:18- The sound effects means it's haunted with wackiness. 1:05- So, you're saying I should go to the concession stand? 2:29- That's weird. Usually, one likes to take a gay vacation privately.
"Garbo Rhumbas" !! Actually... there's a great scene where her dress snags on her shoe, and she creates a new beat kicking it free. She creates the Titikaka.
Marilyn Monroe wanted to play Jean Harlow her idol but read this script and said she hopes they don’t write her in this way … So Marilyn turned down this part, I think that there should be a modern series on Netflix about Jean Harlow that’s more accurate and Paul Berns death
Clint is a bad bare knuckle fighter against William smith . The monkey style boxer is no joke , and Clint was hungry and had the eye of the tiger against William smith who crippled his opponent in his victories . By fighting karate and bare knuckle. But Clint is like rocky hit hard with grit and to destroy like a lethal weapon that he is. Willows and hallows and thunder , and lightning. Clint is a true bare knuckler fighter of generations. Go boy clint. Godbless.
Maryanne had to make a choice between waking up every morning to her nagging mother, or waking up in Ralph Meeker's arms ... spoiler alert: she chose what you would choose!
