This movie feels very dated in terms of the way the drama is presented, but it is saved by standout performances from a laundry list of great actors cutting their teeth with the material. This is also worth watching in the present day for its portrayal of social class, and the universal theme of friends helping one another to learn, grow and survive. I also really loved that the small Midwest town isn't portrayed as a glamorous 1960s utopia, the housing is run down, businesses are shown struggling, and the feeling of growing up in a working class neighborhood is so real you can taste it. Ultimately, these things make The Outsiders worth a watch even if youre unfamiliar with source mayerial.

Now that one of the cast members of this highly memorable, but also kind of tedious and slow teen film, is no longer with us, let me remind everybody that this movie was made before anyone had ever heard of much of the cast.

The reason to see it is mainly the cast, not if you are a fan of the book because although it is more faithful to the source than the dismal That Was Then, This Is Now, you will find many omissions.

The casting is spot on and I can't think of anyone who could do better with the characters they were given. Especially Emilio Estevez as Two Bit and the aforementioned Patrick Swayze as Darrel.

So if you want to reminisce about those years gone by where things looked a little more innocent, enjoy seeing a one in a lifetime cast. Just don't expect a fun filled romp. The movie is virtually moving back in time.