The Outsiders The Complete Novel—Warner Brothers

Video: 4
Audio: 4
Extras: 4

When Francis Ford Coppola made the film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, it was at the request of students who specifically wanted him to direct the film. His portrayal of rebellious youths living in 1960s Oklahoma is moving, surrounded by layers of brotherhood, rivalry, hope, and class struggle.

When I first heard about this release, I was eager to see the digital transfer, done in anamorphic 2.40:1. From first glance, I was impressed with the excellent restoration. The video shows wonderful detail, and the colors come through beautifully, as demonstrated by the sunset scene. The picture still goes soft occasionally but is void of any distracting artifacts. The movie also contains 22 minutes of additional footage. The Dolby Digital 5.1 sound brings the surrounds to life with some of the best songs from the 1960s, such as Van Morrison's "Gloria." This is an excellent restoration, with superior presentation.

Disc two contains the special features: "Staying Gold: A Look Back at The Outsiders," screen tests, readings, the original theatrical trailers, 10 minutes of additional scenes, and two featurettes—"S.E. Hinton on Location in Tulsa" and an NBC News Today segment of the student petition that catalyzed the making of this film.

While Coppola is best known for The Godfather, The Outsiders is still one of his best movies and stars many of today's most recognizable actors before they became celebrities, such as Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Diane Lane, and Tom Cruise. This film is profoundly touching, and, for many, The Outsiders holds a special place in their hearts. This set deserves a spot in your collection.

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