The Outsiders was more than just a film; it was a blast of 80s nostalgia. Dive and see why it’s a must-watch for fans of 80s movies.
The 80s was a decade where everything felt so much larger than life. It was a period of time when neon lights were everywhere, music was changing forever, and blockbuster films were all the rage. One of the most iconic films of the early 80s was The Outsiders.
Yes, The Outsiders was another coming-of-age story, but it was also so much more than that. It was like an emotional roller coaster, and a complete snapshot of the 80s youth culture all rolled into one. The moment you press play you’re not just watching another 80s film, you’re stepping back into a time when friendship, family, and fighting for what’s right meant something.
The Outsiders was released back in 1983, and quickly became a cultural touchstone for the decade. After all, it was directed by Francis Ford Coppola the same guy who brought us The Godfather. He took a beloved novel by SE Hinton and turned it into a film that epitomized the era. And yes, we were talking leather jackets, a rebellious attitude, and a whole lot of heart. It’s simply the type of stuff that you just don’t see in movies today.
So, if you haven’t seen The Outsiders, then why not grab some popcorn, settle into your favorite chair, and find out why the film is still rocking the world more than 40 years later.
Basic Information
Before we talk about the ins and outs of The Outsiders, let’s take a closer look at the basics of the film.
- Title: The Outsiders
- Release Date: March 25, 1983
- Director: Francis Ford Coppola
- Main Cast & Roles:
- C. Thomas Howell as Ponyboy Curtis
- Matt Dillon as Dally Winston
- Patrick Swayze as Darry Curtis
- Ralph Macchio as Johnny Cade
- Rob Lowe as Sodapop Curtis
- Emilio Estevez as Two-Bit Matthews
- Tom Cruise as Steve Randle
- Genre: Drama
- Runtime: 91 minutes
- Box Office Performance: Made $33.7 million against a $10 million budget
- VHS/Streaming Release: It hit VHS in the 80s and is now available for streaming
The Heart of The Outsiders
The Outsiders is a film about a group of teenagers who live in a small town in America. It was the 1960s, and the teenagers were divided into two main groups. You had the Greasers which was led by Ponyboy, and the Socs who were the rich kids. Naturally, the Greasers were the underdogs in the story and they were simply trying to make their way in a world that didn’t seem to care too much for them. The Socs, however, had everything they ever wanted, popularity, money, and the privilege that comes with it.
Ponyboy is a somewhat quiet yet brave leader who is always looking out for his gang. After they get into a brutal flight with a group of Socs, he must go on the run with his best friend Johnny. Naturally, this sets off a unique chain of events that challenged their loyalty, their ability to survive, and their understanding of what it meant to be a part of the world.
It is, in all senses of the matter, a coming-of-age story. But, it is unique in that it will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The movie is filled with fights, friendship, and heartache. And, it is that life-or-death type of situation that hits a little too close to home for some people. But, it’s so much more than just fighting or surviving. Rather, it is about the bonds that you hold together when everything else in the world falls apart.
The Cultural Impact of The Outsiders in the 80s
The Outsiders was more than just another coming-of-age movie in the 80s. It became, all on its own, a movement. After all, the 80s was a period of time when the youth culture was exploding. And, The Outsiders gave us a good glimpse into the era. Without question, the fashion was iconic, and the hairstyles were perfectly reminiscent of the decade. There was an amazing soundtrack to and it featured an all-star cast of rebellious teens who quickly became heartthrobs to girls across the nation.
So, let’s talk about the cast for a moment. When we talk about the film being full of rebellious teams who grew to become heartthrobs, we are talking about big-name actors like Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, Ralph Macchio, and even Rob Lowe. Each one of these actors would go on to star in movies that were a must-watch for girls’ nights.
Although the plot was focused on entertaining teen boys, it quickly became popular for anyone who felt like they didn’t fit in throughout the decade. And, I think that is what made the movie so impactful. It wasn’t just another story about teenage boys fighting each other, it was about what it meant to feel like an outsider to a world that simply did not understand you.
Of course, it would be impossible to ignore the influence that the movie had on fashion. Featuring leather jackets, fringed best, and ripped jeans, each of these styles quickly became staples of 80s fashion. After The Outsiders hit the theaters, teens across the nation quickly embraced the rugged look of the greasers. A style that would go on to be replicated by the award-winning cast in their future films.
Andy, I know what you’re thinking, it can’t be still relevant today, can it? Well, it certainly can because the film has transcended time. You can still sit down today and feel the punch of its emotional highs and lows, which is why it has continued to be a fan favorite. So, whether you are watching the film for the very first time, or revisiting it for the first time in decades, The Outsiders has the ability to suck you in and never let go.
How It All Came Together
Let’s face it, it’s easy to look back and think of The Outsiders as an example of blockbuster 80s cinema. But, the road that the film took to creation was not exactly smooth sailing.
For starters, after Francis Ford Coppola released The Godfather trilogy he wanted to focus on something completely different. He had been so taken in by the novel by SE Hinton, that he felt the desire to bring the film to the big screen. It’s important to remember that Hinton was only 16 when she wrote the book. And it was that raw, authentic boys that pulled Coppola in.
He was so dedicated to bringing the book to the big screen, that he introduced the world to a whole line of fresh new faces. In fact, most of the cast were relatively unknown at the time. Sure, it was a really big gamble, but luckily, the film was such a success that it gave the young actors a real opportunity to shine. And, some of the biggest stars of the 80s were cast for the film long before they had ever reached stardom.
In order to create that gritty and authentic feel, the filming took place in a number of different locations in and around small-town America. It was the hype that gave the stories so much realism. In fact, Coppola was goal was to film the movie in the actual places where the book was set.
And, the most unique thing about the filming, was that the entire movie was shot in only 30 days. Yes, in less than a month, Coppola transformed a wonderful coming-of-age storybook into an instant cult classic that completely reviewed defined a generation.
Critics, Box Office, and the Cult Classic Status
Of course, when The Outsiders were released, they didn’t exactly set the box office on fire. But, as with most cult classics, the best things come to those who wait. Over time, the movie slowly gained momentum. Eventually, it connected with teens across the nation who felt like outsiders themselves. And, this caused the film to achieve that cult classic status. It was the themes of friendship, loyalty, and standing for what you believe in that resonated across many generations. And eventually, the film grew into something that was so much bigger than it was initially intended.
So yes, the critics weren’t exactly blown away when the film first came out. Especially because it was designed to connect with the younger generation. Nevertheless, the film was a masterpiece and was less about the approval of the critics, and more about the emotional depth that it brought to the big screen. This is why, even after four decades, The Outsiders is still a popular cult classic of the 80s.
FAQ Section
Why is The Outsiders considered a must-watch?
The outsiders perfectly captured the teenage experience, in all of its capacity. You had loyalty, heartbreak, and a discovery of who you are in a world that simply just doesn’t understand you. It is that ability to resonate with the youth culture that made it a must-watch film of the 80s.
Who is the main character in The Outsiders?
The main character of The Outsiders was Ponyboy Curtis who was played by C Thomas Howell. He was not just the main character, he was also the heart and soul of the film. He was the narrator and ultimately, he was the character that everyone rooted for the most.
What was the impact of The Outsiders on 80s culture?
The film became a cultural touchstone, and it heavily influenced fashion, music, and the way that the world viewed friendship and rebellion. But, more importantly, it was the film that made leather jackets cool again.
Key Takeaways
Ultimately, The Outsiders was a beautiful, heart-wrenching, timeless film that continues to resonate with the youth culture of today. It featured unforgettable performances by an all-star cast long before they were big-name stars. The emotional toll of the film was raw and real. And it managed to capture the universal themes of growing up. The Outsiders was the epitome of coming-of-age stories.
Sure, the world was a little simpler back in the 80s. But, The Outsiders wasn’t just about a simpler time in life. It was about growing up in one of the most unique and culturally important decades in American history. So, if you haven’t seen it already, it’s time you sit back and enjoy it for the first time. And for those who are in their 40s and 50s, it’s time to fall in love with the movie again, just as you did so many years ago.
