"The Outfit" isn't a memorable film in particular but the cast make it watchable.Robert Duvall is the leading man for a change and he is very good. This film marks the final on-screen appearance by star Robert Ryan. He appeared in some good movies in his day.Future James Bond actor, Joe Don Baker makes an early film appearance as Duvall's right hand man.The action is pretty good.

Rugged and determined criminal Earl Macklin (superbly played with steely resolve by Robert Duvall) gets released from prison in the wake of robbing a bank owned by a powerful crime syndicate. When said crime syndicate refuses to pay Macklin $250,000 to make amends for killing his brother, Macklin and his jolly partner Jack Cody (a wonderfully lively and engaging performance by Joe Don Baker) decide to steal the money by holding up various syndicate run operations.Tightly directed by John Flynn (who also wrote the succinct script), with a constant pace, startling outbursts of brutal violence, a resolutely tough and unsentimental tone, crisp cinematography by Bruce Surtees, vividly drawn characters, terse dialogue, expertly staged action scenes, excellent use of grungy practical locations, an amusing sense of cynical humor (assorted low-level lackeys readily surrender to Macklin because they just don't get paid enough to risk their lives for their employers), and a spare moody score by Jerry Fielding, this gritty little beaut packs quite a fierce punch. The splendid cast rates as another substantial asset: Karen Black as Macklin's scared, yet loyal moll Bett Harrow, Robert Ryan as ruthless kingpin Mailer, Timothy Carey as fearsome mobster Jake Menner, Richard Jaeckel as no-nonsense stolen car dealer Kimmie Cherney, Sheree North as an enticing tramp, Felice Orlandi as luckless hit-man Frank Orlandi, Joanna Cassidy as Mailer's hot neglected trophy wife Rita, and Elisha Cook Jr. as antsy diner counterman Carl. Essential viewing for fans of rough'n'ready 70's crime thrillers.

Don't start with a crime syndicate which controls the bank you have robbed. This is the theme of this film.Robert Duvall gets out of jail and his brother, his accomplice, who participated in this robbery which would be his last job, is shot to death by the syndicate.The film is devoted to Duvall's revenge along with his pal Joe Don Baker.Karen Black shines as Duvall's girlfriend, longing to go home, only to take a fatal bullet while sitting in back of the car.Robert Ryan, the head of the syndicate, is given relatively little to do here. His usual sinister persona is not made use here.The ending is contrived.

The movie starts with a contract killing. Why this occurred is as of yet unknown. Then the movie switches to a guy getting out of prison (Robert Duvall). You soon learn that the murdered man was his brother and the two unknowingly got on the wrong side of organized crime when they pulled a bank robbery years earlier--and the bank turned out to be owned by mob! Now that he's out on the streets, the plan is to kill him next. However, Duvall has a crazy idea--instead of running, he and his friend (Joe Don Baker) will go on the offensive! It's them against the whole freaking mob! Naturally, they ruffle a few feathers along the way!! Can these two maniacs get away with it? It's a bit surreal watching this film, as Robert Duvall doesn't exactly look like the action hero (or anti-hero) type. But I think that makes the film more exciting--seeing a bald middle-aged man behaving this way. While not a great film, it is better than it could have been thanks to decent direction and performances. So is it a must-see? No. But it's better than just a simple time-passer--and well worth a look if you like crime films or just want to see Duvall and Baker kick come butt! By the way, fans of Robert Ryan (like myself) take note--he is in this film and plays a real unlikeable old jerk. I liked this--nothing particularly redeeming about this elderly man--old and mean through and through. No one could play nasty quite like Ryan!