Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Outcasts Blu-ray Movie Review

The Outcasts is an essential folk horror classic. Produced by Tony Dollard (The Next Man), The Outcasts is an underseen gem of Irish filmmaking. The Irish cinema classic is a spooky and surrealistic tale with elements of witchcraft. Starring Mary Ryan in the leading role.

Maura (Mary Ryan) is a member of a poor family and household living in Ireland in the 1800s. Maura is surprised by accusations of witchcraft – she is accused of being a witch herself following time she has spent with Scarf Michael (Mick Lally). As accusations of being a witch abound, Maura finds her life is becoming more complex than ever before.

Despite the good times spent with fiddler Scarf, there is plenty of mystery, too. The surroundings lead to flashes and visions of mysticism and unrealized abilities – woods overwrought with superstition by the neighborhood while the film unfolds with music, surrealism, and folk-horror fantasy – exploring the hero’s journey and the role of witchcraft and paganism. What is considered real? What is illusion? Is Maura a witch – and is there such a thing as ghosts?

Mary Ryan delivers an exceptional performance in the leading role. Mary Ryan is such a talent and an actress with a natural gift. There is some fantastic screen presence by Mary Ryan and she holds her self throughout the feature. Ryan has a natural charm and gift as an actress that makes her quite remarkable on screen. Ryan is a beautiful and serene actress and she does a great job with the film – exploring the unexpected by not shying away from the elements of paganism and witchcraft.

The production values are impressive. The production design by Bertram Tyrer (Strumpet City, Hour of Mystery) adds to the style of the filmmaking. The style helps to showcase the filmmaking at its finest. Featuring set decoration by Cos Egan (The Daisy Chain, Showbands), the production values are quite refined for a folk horror of international cinema. The somewhat surreal undertones of the film are well showcased through the production merits.  

The costume designs by Consolata Boyle (Philomena, Enola Holmes) are well-done and a wonderful highlight of the film. The Outcasts has a fantastic style that highlights a sense of traditionalism in costume design as well as a sense of romanticism. The romantic aspect of the costumes is a nice component of the production.

Edited by Arthur Keating (Anne Devlin, James Joyce's Women), The Outcasts is superbly edited and well-paced. The storytelling flows naturally with quality rhythm. Keating did a superb job with the editing style and as a result the other aspects of the filmmaking are even more effectively handled.

The score composed by Stephen Cooney (The Clash of the Ash) is a soft delight – the music enhancing the film in subtle ways. The score by Cooney is an essential part of the production and aids the gothic undertones in spades. The Outcasts is all the better as a film for it.

With cinematography by Seamus Corcoran (Christmas Morning), The Outcasts is a visually sumptuous film and one with stunning cinematography throughout. The cinematographer did a phenomenal job with the production and the outdoors photography has a life all its own. The organic energy of the visuals manages to enhance the entire visual experience.

Written and directed by Robert Wynne-Simmons (When Reason Sleeps, The Judgment of Albion), The Outcasts is a must-see of Irish cinema. The classic folk-horror gem isn’t as well known outside of its home country but it is easy to imagine a more devoted cult following developing over time, most especially with the fantastic release by Deaf Crocodile. Robert Wynne-Simmons made a beautiful, poetic, and moving film with a surrealistic style that is unshakable. The Outcasts is hauntingly and achingly beautiful and will stay with audiences.

The Outcasts Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Deaf Crocodile, The Outcasts is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1 widescreen. The release has received a new restoration available for the first time in North America by distributor Deaf Crocodile. The newly restored presentation is taken from a 35mm print – itself a blow-up of the original 16mm film presentation. The 35mm version was restored by the IFI (Irish Film Institute).

The 2K restoration remains faithful to the 16mm original negative and despite being a 35mm blow-up for the source version used on the restoration, the quality of the transfer remains impeccable. One can tell the source is inherently somewhat soft compared to a native 35mm or higher film-stock and as such the image is somewhat softer and less detailed. It is no surprise given limitations of 16mm. Even so, the presentation looks fantastic, and the organic looking cinematography is a beautiful sight to behold. The color reproduction on the transfer looks impeccable, too. The overall clarity and detail appears filmic and engaging throughout. A good restoration by the Irish Film Institute.

The Outcasts Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio Mono. The audio quality on the release is fantastic and sounds wonderful throughout the presentation. The audio is clear and the dialogue is well reproduced. The sound quality is satisfying and a good accompaniment to the high-quality 2K restoration. What a wonderful showcase for the efforts of the Irish Film Institute and Deaf Crocodile.

The Outcasts Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The limited edition release includes a deluxe chipboard art-box with additional commissioned artwork. The deluxe edition is exclusive to the Deaf Crocodile web store. The artwork looks fantastic on the edition and there is so much to love and appreciate about the art. Design-wise, the set looks spectacular – the set has iconic art and the set feels premium in hand. A wonderful edition that will please all fans of the film. Deaf Crocodile also provides a booklet with the deluxe version. The standard edition (in a clear case) is housed inside of the deluxe edition.

Deaf Crocodile releases include an inserted QR code card. The QR code card provides a link to additional transcribed bonus content for each release. Once you follow the QR code with your smartphone or smart device, the device will provide you with a link to more transcribed bonus content.

Interview with director Robert Wynne-Simmons (HD, 1:23:11) is an exclusive interview completed by Deaf Crocodile's Dennis Bartok. The interview is extended at over one-hour long and features a lot of insights from writer-director Robert Wynne- Simmons.

Interview with composer Steve Cooney (HD, 48:14) is an exclusive interview. The composer discusses the role of the music in the film. The interview was completed by Deaf Crocodile's Dennis Bartok.

Visual Essay by Rod Stoneman (HD, 28:40) explores the production of The Outcasts. The essay is about The Outcasts development and production. The essay was completed by Stoneman, who formerly served with the Irish Film Board as a chief executive.

"The Judgement Of Albion – Prophesies of William Blake" (HD, 26:20) is a beautiful exploration of William Blake and featuring visual images in tribute to the artist.

Early 8mm Films:

"The Greatest All-Star Advertial of All Time" (HD, 1:27) features a cast including Peter O'Toole, Charlton Heston, and Michael Redgrave.

"Bomb Disposal" (HD, 4:29) features Sammy Davis Jr in a cameo.

"L'Eredita di Diavolo" (HD, 14:24) is a spooky tale sure to delight fans of ghost stories.

"The Scrolls" (HD, 25:19) is the lengthiest of the short films and may remind audiences of a short feature (rather than the more experimental nature of some of the other brief shorts).

The Outcasts Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Outcasts is an outstanding cinematic achievement. The Outcasts features stellar direction and a sense of beautiful etherealness that is unmissable. The lead performance by Mary Ryan is superb – absolutely a must-see. An important classic of Irish cinema newly restored. The Blu-ray release is exceptional with first-rate video and lossless audio. The release also comes jam-packed with an incredible assortment of extras. Highly recommended.