I’ve always liked The Outsiders. It had one of the best casts of the 80s. Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, and Rob Lowe all appeared in it before they became household names. The film was based on the classic novel by S E Hinton and directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
If you’re a fan of the movie, here are some cool behind the scenes facts you might not know.
If you remember watching this one on VHS, or in the theater back in 1983, you probably already know how powerful it was. But it’s even more fun when you learn what went on behind the camera.
Here’s a great video of director Francis Ford Coppola breaking down scenes from The Outsiders and sharing insight into how the film came together. If you’re into behind the scenes facts or just want to hear it straight from the director, this is a must watch.
What’s your favorite insight from this breakdown?
Continue the conversation here:
The Outsiders 1983 Thread
On This Day Article – March 25, 1983
If you’re a fan of the movie, here are some cool behind the scenes facts you might not know.
- During the big rumble scene between the Greasers and the Socs, things got a little too real. Emilio Estevez said the fight was intense, and a few cast members ended up with real injuries. Tom Cruise broke his thumb, C Thomas Howell got a black eye, and Coppola himself cut his lip while shouting directions on set.
- Most of the cast stayed together in a house during filming to build real chemistry. Greasers stayed on one side, Socs on the other, just like in the story.
- The actors were asked to act out real confrontations to get into character. Coppola wanted raw emotion and kept the cast guessing with constant script changes.
- Tom Cruise’s uneven teeth in the film weren’t makeup — he had a cap knocked off a front tooth during a prank just before filming.
- The Outsiders was originally released with many scenes cut. A later version called The Complete Novel restored more footage and character moments from the book.
- The film helped launch the careers of almost every young actor involved, many of whom became leading men throughout the decade.
If you remember watching this one on VHS, or in the theater back in 1983, you probably already know how powerful it was. But it’s even more fun when you learn what went on behind the camera.
Watch the original 1983 trailer for The Outsiders:
Here’s a great video of director Francis Ford Coppola breaking down scenes from The Outsiders and sharing insight into how the film came together. If you’re into behind the scenes facts or just want to hear it straight from the director, this is a must watch.
Continue the conversation here: The Outsiders 1983 Thread On This Day Article – March 25, 1983
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