Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

With a "tip of its hat" to classic film noir, this revenge thriller is gritty, violent and hard-boiled. It's also fast-moving and action-packed. Everything it portrays is straight-forward, from its plot which doesn't have any twists to its dialogue which is extremely economical but also perfect for the type of characters it features. The characters are, in some cases, entertaining to watch but are nevertheless predominantly criminals who adhere to their own codes of conduct which will inevitably determine their destinies. It's this aspect of their behaviour that creates the on-going sense that they're all on a downward spiral and heading in the direction of a fate over which they have no control.When Earl Macklin (Robert Duvall) is released from a 27 month prison term, he's met by his girlfriend Bett (Karen Black) and learns that his brother Eddie (Edward Ness) has recently been killed by a couple of hit-men. The killing was in reprisal for his involvement in the robbery of a bank which was owned by a criminal organisation called "The Outfit" and as Earl and his old friend Cody (Joe Don Baker) had also been involved, they too would inevitably be on the hit list.At a motel where they share a room, Bett makes it clear that she'd unwillingly disclosed where Earl would be staying to a senior member of the outfit who'd tortured her and threatened to cut up her face. Suitably prepared, Earl surprises and beats up his potential murderer before eliciting some useful information and setting him free.Earl, who's determined to avenge the murder of his brother, then teams up again with Cody and together they raid a series of the outfit's gambling operations before he contacts mob boss Mailer (Robert Ryan) and demands the sum of $250,000 to stop disrupting his business. Mailer, who dismissively says that the outfit make more than that before noon on a good day, readily agrees to Earl's demands but, later double-crosses him before their dispute eventually reaches its violent and very tense conclusion.The action sequences in this movie are exciting, tense and well-directed and there are some standout sequences, for example, when Earl, Cody and Bett get ambushed by a group of outfit gunmen and an occasion when Earl holds up a poker game and robs all the players of their money before taking revenge on Jake Menner (Timothy Carey) for what he'd done to Bett.As if to reinforce its noir credentials, the impressive cast of this movie includes a whole collection of stars who featured in a number of the most famous films noir, with Robert Ryan, Jane Greer, Timothy Carey, Marie Windsor and Elisha Cook Jr. all prominent examples. Timothy Carey's sneering facial expressions are terrific as his character threatens Earl, even when he's in a position of weakness and Robert Ryan is totally convincing as the angry crime boss whose life seems to be utterly joyless. Robert Duvall and Joe Don Baker are also both perfectly cast in their roles with Baker adding some nice moments of humour that add enormously to the enjoyment of watching this fine movie that remains gripping from start to finish.

I'm not used to seeing Robert Duvall playing lead as bad-ass gangster, but there it is. He (unsurprisingly) does a fine job of molding his character into a tough, mostly upbeat-in-spite-of-bad-circumstances, guy. Mostly, because when he goes slapping his girl around, things get awkward really fast. Back then in the early seventies, it must have been explained away as an action to "settle the chick down" but leading roles wouldn't get away with that nowadays. The 'chick', by the way, is none other than the fantastic Karen Black. The other big supporting role is played terrifically by Joe Don Baker, playing an unusually nice guy (still a gangster, though) compared to what I'm used to.The film is pretty fast-paced and straightforward, with a plot that is built on blind vengeance and acquiring big money fast from a big organization which killed the leading man's brother. There are hardly any big surprises plot-wise, but it stays more than interesting enough, and the finale ís surprisingly happy, almost like a caper. Good enough for me, though.A good 8 out of 10.

Before the opening credits, an assassination occurs. The victim turns out to be a former criminal, attempting to retire in peace. Next, his likewise criminally-minded brother Robert Duvall (as Earl Macklin) is released from an Illinois prison. Pouting girlfriend Karen Black (as Bett Harrow) takes Mr. Duvall to a motel and shares the bad news about "The Outfit" offing his brother. Duvall wants revenge, which moves him up on the hit list. He teams up with best friend Joe Don Baker (as Jack Cody) to go after the big boss, Robert Ryan (as Mailer)...There is fine direction and photography here, by John Flynn and Bruce Surtees, with a fantastic supporting cast - but not enough story for either side of the screen. The character played by Ms. Black is almost dispensable. She is often left sitting around - or, in a marvelous sequence with sexy Sheree North, quietly sleeping in the car. Better to stick with Duvall and Mr. Baker, perhaps opening with Duvall's release from prison and cross-cutting the assassination with a sad discovery of the dead brother's body. And, a smug close-up of Robert Ryan.****** The Outfit (10/73) John Flynn ~ Robert Duvall, Joe Don Baker, Robert Ryan, Karen Black

Upon reading the popular novel " The Outfit " by Don Westlake, one can well imagine how a movie of the same name would look like. That book later became the foundation for a movie directed by John Flynn. With a cast which includes Robert Duvall and Joe Don Baker, the film is a great adaptation of the novel, so much so it's made for several remakes. The last one was with Mel Gibson and 'Payback.' Duvall plays Macklin one of two brothers who unwittingly rob a small town bank belonging to the Mob or Outfit. He goes to prison for 2 years, while the outfit presided by Mr. Mailer (Robert Ryan) kills Duvall's brother. Released from prison, Macklin vows revenge and is though insane for thinking he can go up against the outfit and win. However, the movie is interesting to watch as each dramatic scene develops into a more intense and exciting story. A fine supporting cast helps to insure it's success. Members included Richard Jaeckel, Elisha Cook Jr., Roy Jenson, Henry Jones and Karen Black. This is one of those movies which mirrors the novel and improves with age. Easilly recommended for Duvall and Baker fans as the two make for a rough and tumble team. ****