The Outsider (1961)

In the heart of World War II, a tale of courage, friendship, and personal torment unfolds in The Outsider. A young Pima Indian from Arizona, 17-year-old Ira Hamilton Hayes, defies the norms of his tribe and the fears of his parents, and enlists in the Marine Corps, his youthful inexperience and native heritage shaping his early days at boot camp. Despite the hurdles, Ira's determination earns him respect and the friendship of Jim Sorenson, a fellow marine and fierce warrior. Their bond, forged in the harsh confines of Camp Pendleton in San Diego, is tested in the unforgiving battleground of Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima. They are among the six brave souls who hoist the U.S. flag on Suribachi—an iconic moment that seals their fate. Tragedy strikes shortly after, as Sorenson is killed by enemy fire, leaving behind a devastated Ira. The surviving trio, hailed as war heroes, are summoned back to the USA for a war bond drive. Amidst the whirlwind of media frenzy, adoring crowds, and grand parades, Ira grapples with Sorenson's death and his newfound fame. His sorrow, guilt, and discomfort with the hero label lead him down a path of self-destruction, as he seeks solace in the depths of a bottle. Despite his spiraling descent, Ira is constantly pulled back into the limelight, his status as a War Hero exploited for publicity. Tired and guilt-ridden, he yearns for the anonymity of his old life. Hitting rock bottom, Ira makes a solemn vow to stay sober, returning to his tribe in Arizona and seeking a place on the tribal council. However, a loss in the elections triggers a relapse, and he succumbs to his old demons one last time. In his inebriated state, he scales a nearby mountain, his personal Mount Suribachi, to take his place beside his fallen comrades. The Outsider paints a poignant picture of a man caught in the crossfire of war and post-war fame, struggling to reconcile his past with a future he never asked for. As he ascends the mountain, we are left with a haunting portrait of a real-life hero who fought not only in the battlefield but also against the societal pressures that came with surviving it.

The Outsider is a drama movie featuring Tony Curtis and directed by Delbert Mann.

The Outsider is currently streaming on DIRECTV.