The Outsider *** (1961, Tony Curtis, James Franciscus, Gregory Walcott, Bruce Bennett) – Classic Movie Review 8921

Tony Curtis plays an Indian who fights in WWII and helps to raise the flag at Iwo Jima.

Director Delbert Mann’s sincere and well-meaning 1961 war drama The Outsider stars Tony Curtis, who puts in a noble performance as the real-life brave Native American, Ira Hamilton Hayes, nicknamed Chief by the other soldiers, who is lauded for his heroism during World War Two as one of the flag-raisers at Iwo Jima, but who rejects the plaudits of the American public for the company of his own people, the Pima Indians.

Mann’s insightful direction concentrates on the real-life war hero’s inner struggles, and there is a consequent lack of action and excitement, though the story’s intelligence and touching nature see it through. James Franciscus co-stars as Private Jim Sorenson, Gregory Walcott as Sergeant Kiley and Bruce Bennett as Major General Bridges.

Obviously, we have to view the film through the eyes of 1961 audiences and put aside the casting of Bronx-born Bernard Schwartz, the third son of Jewish immigrants from Hungary, as a Pima Indian from Arizona.

Hayes was the subject of an article by journalist William Bradford Huie, which is adapted for the screenplay by Stewart Stern.

Also in the cast are, Vivian Nathan, Edmund Hashim, Stanley Adams, Ralph Moody, James Beck, Jeffrey Silver, Vince Edwards, Miriam Colon, Wayne Heffley, Paul Comi, Forrest Compton, Pete Homer, Mary Patton, Charles Stevens, Lynda Day George and Lance Henriksen.

The Outsider is directed by Delbert Mann, runs 108 minutes, is made by Universal International Pictures, is released by Universal Pictures (1961) (US) and Rank Film Distributors (1961) (UK), is written by Stewart Stern, based on the book The Hero of Iwo Jima by William Bradford Huie, is shot in black and white by Joseph La Shelle, is produced by Sy Bartlett and is scored by Leonard Rosenman.

The US Marine Corps determined in June 2016 that pharmacist’s mate John H Bradley (Forrest Compton) was not among the six flag raisers in the famous Iwo Jima picture.

It is the film debut of Lynda Day George and Lance Henriksen (uncredited, as a Marine). It is the final film of Charles Stevens.

Hayes portrayed himself raising the flag in the 1949 movie, Sands of Iwo Jima, starring John Wayne.

Hayes was portrayed by Adam Beach in the 2006 movie Flags of Our Fathers, directed by Clint Eastwood.

US Marine Corps recruit photo of Ira Hayes in 1942.

Ira Hamilton Hayes (12 January 1923 – 24 January 1955) was a Pima Native American and a US Marine during World War Two. He was known as one of the six flag raisers immortalised in the iconic photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima by photographer Joe Rosenthal. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism. He died of exposure to cold and alcohol poisoning on 24 January 1955, aged only 32.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8921

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