Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		3.5

The Outsiders: The Complete Novel 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov November 12, 2021

Francis Ford Coppola's "The Outsiders" (1983) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of StudioCanal. The supplemental features on the disc include new programs with the director; new program with cinematographer Stephen H. Burum; two archival audio commentaries; deleted scenes; promotional materials; and a lot more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

Rumble time

In the United States, the first Blu-ray release of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders was produced by Warner Bros. in 2014. However, it featured the longer, preferred by Coppola Director’s Cut of the film, which as you probably know well by now isn’t the version of the film that premiered in theaters across the country in the early 1980s. The original Theatrical Cut of The Outsiders was shorter and used a drastically different soundtrack. In an exclusive new video interview that is included on this release, Coppola explains why his preferred version of the film, The Outsiders: The Complete Novel, exists. The story he shares isn’t new, but there are some illuminating new details. For example, Coppola admits that he was never too fond of the original music his father, Carmine, chose to highlight the boys’ admiration of Gone with the Wind. It is why years later, after his father had passed away, Coppola replaced the majority of the original music with various classic rock tunes the boys liked. Was the alteration justified? Well, let’s just say that just the use of Van Morrison's rendition of “Gloria!” shortly after the opening credits disappear instantly gives the The Outsiders a completely different vibe.

The other valuable piece of information that emerges from this interview is Coppola’s admission that the new 4K restoration of The Outsiders offers yet another ‘improvement’ of his original vision of the film. Toward the end of the interview, Coppola quickly mentions how the technology was able to make his film look even more beautiful while still using the strength of Stephen H. Burum’s original cinematography. This is a strange claim, to say the least, that is guaranteed to provoke a great deal of controversy for a couple of different reasons. The most obvious one is the logical expectation that a 4K restoration ought to revive the native qualities of the original cinematography, not improve them. Why? Because the original cinematography shapes up the identity of the film. In the interview, Coppola leaves the impression that he is very happy with this new makeover of The Outsiders, but many of its fans won’t share his enthusiasm for it.

Most unfortunately, the new makeover does not affect only Coppola's preferred version of the film. So, not only does the Director’s Cut of the film have a new identity now, but the original Theatrical Cut of the film has been modified and appears to be forever lost. To say that this is unfortunate would be a colossal understatement because it is crystal-clear now that this was in fact the final opportunity to reintroduce a proper presentation of the original Theatrical Cut of the film to its fans.

Below are a few words about the new makeover and some of the specific changes it introduces to both versions.

The makeover features very particular regrading work. For example, there are select sequences where the overall temperature of the visuals is dramatically altered. One such shift occurs early into the film where the visuals essentially acquire a contemporary identity and as a result immediately begin to erode the strength of Burum’s cinematography. Elsewhere the overall temperature of the visuals is retained, but there are strong enhancements that exacerbate some of their key qualities. Predictably, different areas of the film produce quite unusual visual contrasts. The most notable ones reveal very strong, occasionally garish colors that again have a profound impact on Burum’s cinematography.

The Outsiders: The Complete Novel 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

StudioCanal's release of The Outsiders is a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack with two versions of the film: The shorter Theatrical Cut and the longer Director's Cut. Both are presented in an aspect ratio of 2.40:1. Both have been fully restored in 4K as well.

Three sets of screencaptures are included with this review. Please note that the screencaptures from the 4K Blu-ray are downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc, including the actual color values of this content.

Screencaptures: 1-13 are from the 4K Blu-ray release.
Screencaptures: 15-28 are from StudioCanal's Blu-ray release.
Screencaptures: 30-36 are from Warner's old North American Blu-ray release.

The new 4K restoration provides both versions of The Outsiders with a very tight and clean appearance. Unfortunately, the entire restoration is a modified presentation of the original material that cinematographer Stephen H. Burum lensed as well. Indeed, the film has been very carefully regraded and as a result plenty of its visuals have adopted a new identity. For example, in certain areas the entire color temperature of the visuals has been altered, so the old ranges of primaries and nuances are effectively lost. (You can see an example in screencapture #17). Elsewhere there are partial enhancements that exacerbate select aspects of the existing color temperature (see screencapture #26). In some of the most obvious examples select primaries can appear so garish that the visuals begin to look like contemporary video material. In native 4K with HDR enabled, plenty of these contrasts then become borderline overwhelming. Unfortunately, the color alterations have introduced some familiar digital anomalies as well. For example, trained eyes will quickly recognize that the native dynamic range of select visuals, and particularly the ones where wider ranges of shadow nuances should be visible, is off. So, expect to see some flatness introduced by digital grays, as well as unusually strong blacks that can produce partial crushing. The good news is that there are plenty of areas where delineation, depth, and clarity are mightily impressive. In native 4K, fluidity is outstanding as well. There are no stability issues. Predictably, the entire film looks immaculate as well. My score is 3.75/5.00. (Note: The 4K Blu-ray release if Region-Free. The Blu-ray release is Region-B "locked").

The Outsiders: The Complete Novel 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

I viewed both cuts of the film in their entirety. I think that the lossless 5.1 track is outstanding, though on the Director's Cut the music definitely makes a stronger impression. There are a few areas where it does feel like dynamic balance is a bit shaky, but given Francis Ford Coppola's close involvement with the scoring of the film, I think it is logical to conclude that this is an inherited limitation. The dialog is clean and clear. There are no age-related imperfections to report in our review.

Obviously, I have to highlight the fact that the Theatrical Cut cannot be viewed with a standard two-channel Stereo track. The only option for it is a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

The Outsiders: The Complete Novel 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

4K BLU-RAY DISC ONE: THEATRICAL CUT

• Staying Gold: A Look Back at The Outsiders - this archival video program examines the conception of The Outsiders. Included in it are clips from interviews with Francis Ford Coppola, writer S.E. Hinton, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, and cinematographer Stephen H. Burum, amongst others. In English, not subtitled (27 min).

• NBC News - presented here is an archival piece that was used by NBC's Today show to examine the unusual history of The Outsiders and its classic characters. The piece was produced in 1983. In English, not subtitled (5 min).

• 7 Cast Members Read Extracts from the Novel - in this archival video piece, seven cast members -- Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Leif Garrett, and Diane Lane -- read extracts from S.E. Hinton's classic novel. In English, not subtitled (8 min).

• S.E. Hinton on Location in Tulsa - in this archival video piece, S.E. Hinton introduces some of the key locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that she visited as a girl and were later on used by Francis Ford Coppola in The Outsiders. In English, not subtitled (8 min).

• The Casting of The Outsiders - presented here is archival footage from archival casting sessions that were conducted for The Outsiders. Included with them are comments from an archival interview with casting director and producer Fred Roos and Francis Ford Coppola. In English, not subtitled (14 min).

• Deleted and Extended Scenes - presented here are six extended and deleted scenes. Unrestored. In English, not subtitled (13 min).

• Vintage Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for The Outsiders from 1983. In English, not subtitled (2 min).

4K BLU-RAY DISC TWO: DIRECTOR'S CUT

• Commentary One - in this archival audio commentary, Francis Ford Coppola discusses in great detail how The Outsiders was conceived and the intent to make it look and function like Gone with the Wind, the specific ideas his father Carmine had for the Theatrical Cut of the film, the evolution of the relationships between the boys and specifically the three brothers, the very particular use of music in the Director's Cut, the framing of the film, etc. It is an extremely informative commentary that produces an enormous amount of valuable, illuminating information.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio, and Patrick Swayze. There are a lot of hilarious comments in this commentary and plenty of random but interesting stories about reactions after it was completed and screened in theaters, friendships, various stereotypes about growing up, etc. Also, there are some quite interesting observations about acting and how it often the best kind is driven by intuition.

• Introduction - in this exclusive new video program, Francis Ford Coppola quickly explains how The Outsiders was conceived and how the Director's Cut materialized, as well as how the new 4K restoration 'improves' it. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• Restoring The Outsiders - in this exclusive new video program, James Mockoski, film archivist and restoration supervisor at American Zoetrope, discusses the new 4K restoration of The Outsiders and what Francis Ford Coppola set out to accomplish with it. Also included in the program are comments from colorist Gregg Garvin (Roundabout Entertainment) and cinematographer Stephen H. Burum, with the latter specifically addressing the potential of HDR. Direct comparisons between the old restored master (2005) and new restored master (2021) are provided as well. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• Stephen H. Burum on The Outsiders - in this new video program, cinematographer Stephen H. Burum discusses his relationship with Francis Ford Coppola and their collaboration on The Outsiders. There are some very particular comments about the unique locations that were chosen for the film as well as specific lensing choices that were made at the time. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Deleted Scenes - presented here are a couple of deleted scenes. Remastered. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Outsider Looking In: Francis Ford Coppola on the Key Scenes of a Cult Classic - in this new video program, Francis Ford Coppola reveals his favorite scene in The Outsiders, which was the big rumble, and some of the difficulties he was presented with while shooting it. Mr. Coppola addresses a couple of other key scenes as well. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• Old House, New Home - in this new program, Danny Boy O'Conner and writer S.E. Hinton discuss the original house in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where so much of The Outsiders was shot. The house was transformed into a museum, The Outsiders House Museum, by Mr. O'Conner. Also included are comments from visitors and lifelong fans of the film. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• New Trailer - presented here is a recent trailer for the 4K restoration of The Outsiders. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

BLU-RAY DISC ONE: THEATRICAL CUT

• Staying Gold: A Look Back at The Outsiders - this archival video program examines the conception of The Outsiders. Included in it are clips from interviews with Francis Ford Coppola, writer S.E. Hinton, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, and cinematographer Stephen H. Burum, amongst others. In English, not subtitled (27 min).

• NBC News - presented here is an archival piece that was used by NBC's Today show to examine the unusual history of The Outsiders and its classic characters. The piece was produced in 1983. In English, not subtitled (5 min).

• 7 Cast Members Read Extracts from the Novel - in this archival video piece, seven cast members -- Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Leif Garrett, and Diane Lane -- read extracts from S.E. Hinton's classic novel. In English, not subtitled (8 min).

• S.E. Hinton on Location in Tulsa - in this archival video piece, S.E. Hinton introduces some of the key locations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that she visited as a girl and were later on used by Francis Ford Coppola in The Outsiders. In English, not subtitled (8 min).

• The Casting of The Outsiders - presented here is archival footage from archival casting sessions that were conducted for The Outsiders. Included with them are comments from an archival interview with casting director and producer Fred Roos and Francis Ford Coppola. In English, not subtitled (14 min).

• Deleted and Extended Scenes - presented here are six extended and deleted scenes. Unrestored. In English, not subtitled (13 min).

• Vintage Trailer - presented here is a vintage trailer for The Outsiders from 1983. In English, not subtitled (2 min).

BLU-RAY DISC TWO: DIRECTOR'S CUT

• Commentary One - in this archival audio commentary, Francis Ford Coppola discusses in great detail how The Outsiders was conceived and the intent to make it look and function like Gone with the Wind, the specific ideas his father Carmine had for the Theatrical Cut of the film, the evolution of the relationships between the boys and specifically the three brothers, the very particular use of music in the Director's Cut, the framing of the film, etc. It is an extremely informative commentary that produces an enormous amount of valuable, illuminating information.

• Commentary Two - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio, and Patrick Swayze. There are a lot of hilarious comments in this commentary and plenty of random but interesting stories about reactions after it was completed and screened in theaters, friendships, various stereotypes about growing up, etc. Also, there are some quite interesting observations about acting and how it often the best kind is driven by intuition.

• Introduction - in this exclusive new video program, Francis Ford Coppola quickly explains how The Outsiders was conceived and how the Director's Cut materialized, as well as how the new 4K restoration 'improves' it. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• Restoring The Outsiders - in this exclusive new video program, James Mockoski, film archivist and restoration supervisor at American Zoetrope, discusses the new 4K restoration of The Outsiders and what Francis Ford Coppola set out to accomplish with it. Also included in the program are comments from colorist Gregg Garvin (Roundabout Entertainment) and cinematographer Stephen H. Burum, with the latter specifically addressing the potential of HDR. Direct comparisons between the old restored master (2005) and new restored master (2021) are provided as well. In English, not subtitled. (19 min).

• Stephen H. Burum on The Outsiders - in this new video program, cinematographer Stephen H. Burum discusses his relationship with Francis Ford Coppola and their collaboration on The Outsiders. There are some very particular comments about the unique locations that were chosen for the film as well as specific lensing choices that were made at the time. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• Deleted Scenes - presented here are a couple of deleted scenes. Remastered. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Outsider Looking In: Francis Ford Coppola on the Key Scenes of a Cult Classic - in this new video program, Francis Ford Coppola reveals his favorite scene in The Outsiders, which was the big rumble, and some of the difficulties he was presented with while shooting it. Mr. Coppola addresses a couple of other key scenes as well. In English, not subtitled. (8 min).

• Old House, New Home - in this new program, Danny Boy O'Conner and writer S.E. Hinton discuss the original house in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where so much of The Outsiders was shot. The house was transformed into a museum, The Outsiders House Museum, by Mr. O'Conner. Also included are comments from visitors and lifelong fans of the film. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• New Trailer - presented here is a recent trailer for the 4K restoration of The Outsiders. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Soundtrack - the original soundtrack for The Outsiders placed on a CD disc. 17 tracks. Total time: 55 minutes.

• Cards - five collectible art cards.

• Posters - two original posters for The Outsiders: The Complete Novel.

• Booklet - 64-page illustrated booklet with an introduction by C. Thomas Howell, various essays, production notes, screenplay reproductions, and lot more.

• Pin - collectible Stay Gold pin.

The Outsiders: The Complete Novel 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

What you will get from this massive box set produced by StudioCanal are two brand new renditions of The Outsiders. Clearly, both represent Francis Ford Coppola's current vision of the film. I think that a lot of folks will be pleased with these renditions, but they are not what I expected to get after the film was fully restored in 4K. Indeed, the film looks way too contemporary now, and this isn't how I remember and fell in love with it. If you think that I am exaggerating, you should revisit the old audio commentary a few of its stars recorded for the longer Director's Cut, where Matt Dillon specifically comments on the original cinematography and rightfully points out that it gives the film that vintage Technicolor look. This look is awfully difficult to recognize now, which is unfortunate. The box set has a very impressive selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features. Also, included with it is a CD copy of the film's original soundtrack. So, I am going to recommend this release, but sadly, I think that it was the final opportunity to reintroduce a proper presentation of the original film folks saw at their local theater in the early 1980s. RECOMMENDED.