The Outfit

The Outfit

Year: 1973

Runtime: 103 mins

Language: English

Director: John Flynn

DramaCrimeCrime

A gritty revenge drama. After serving a sentence for a failed bank robbery, small‑time criminal Earl Macklin is released and discovers that two gunmen linked to the Mafia have killed his brother. Fueled by vengeance, he decides to take on the Outfit, confronting dangerous mobsters to exact justice.

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Timeline & Setting – The Outfit (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Outfit (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

early 1970s

Set in the early 1970s, the story captures a Midwest crime world where organized gangs exert power through heists, intimidation, and brutal enforcement. The period mood informs weaponry, fashion, and the procedural pace of robberies and ambushes. The era’s tension fuels the escalation of violence and personal vendettas.

Location

Illinois, Chicago

The film unfolds mainly in the Chicago area and surrounding Illinois heartland, with action rotating between a motel, diners, poker rooms, and a horse auction. The urban landscape and midwestern settings establish a gritty, crime-driven atmosphere. These locales anchor the Outfit’s operations and Earl Macklin’s vengeful crusade.

🏙️ Urban Chicago 🗺️ Illinois crime underworld 🕵️‍♂️ Midwest city backdrop

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

Main Characters – The Outfit (1973)

Meet the key characters of The Outfit (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Earl Macklin (Robert Duvall)

A hard-edged, calculating figure driven by a personal vendetta after his brother Eddie is murdered by the Outfit. Fresh out of prison, he orchestrates a series of heists to undermine the Outfit, combining patience with ruthless improvisation. His relentless focus makes him dangerous, yet methodical in his approach.

🗡️ Vendetta 🧠 Strategist 🥃 Hardened

Bett Harrow (Karen Black)

Earl’s girlfriend caught in the crossfire of the Outfit’s brutality. She is coerced to lure Earl to a motel, exposing the Outfit’s willingness to terrorize anyone close to him. Her resilience is tested as she becomes entangled in the violent cycle surrounding Earl’s crusade.

🧭 Manipulator 💪 Survivor 😳 Coerced

Mailer (Robert Ryan)

A ruthless Outfit boss who underestimates Earl’s capacity to strike back. He maneuvers to crush Earl’s threats by controlling the Outfit’s network, but his arrogance and overconfidence set up a climactic confrontation.

💼 Boss 🧠 Power-player 🧱 Ruthless

Jake Menner (Timothy Carey)

An Outfit enforcer whose ambition tests the organization’s boundaries. He communicates orders and reacts to Earl and Cody’s interference, becoming a liability as the situation spirals. His overreach triggers decisive consequences.

🧭 Operator ⚔️ Ambitious 🤬 Hot-tempered

Cody (Joe Don Baker)

Earl’s old partner, integral to the heists and the ongoing opposition to the Outfit. He leverages street smarts and bold schemes to keep the operation alive and outmaneuver adversaries. He remains a critical ally through the final conflict.

🧠 Strategist 🥷 Brash 🕊️ Loyal

Ed Macklin (Edward Ness)

Earl’s brother, whose murder at the hands of the Outfit acts as the catalyst for Earl’s vendetta. His death is a constant motivator and a painful reminder of the human cost behind the underworld’s power.

💔 Sibling loss 🕯️ Catalyst 🗡️ Vengeance

Chemey (Richard Jaeckel)

A criminal associate who helps Earl and Cody by securing a new car after their previous vehicle is compromised. He also becomes part of a personal tension when his sister-in-law interfering with Cody adds risk to their operation.

🧭 Connector 🧱 Enforcer 🌀 Complication

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

Major Themes – The Outfit (1973)

Explore the central themes of The Outfit (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Revenge

Earl Macklin’s pursuit of vengeance for his brother’s murder drives the entire plot. The quest for payback leads to a escalating cycle of violence and retaliation. The film examines how revenge distorts trust and exacts a heavy personal toll.

💼 Crime & Power

The Outfit’s empire rests on calculated theft, intimidation, and control. Macklin and Cody relentlessly target the organization, testing the balance of power within a corrupt system. The story probes the moral ambiguity of criminals challenging other criminals.

🤝 Loyalty & Betrayal

Alliances within the criminal underworld are fragile, built on coercion, pragmatism, and fear. Bett’s coercion, Cody’s pragmatism, and Menner’s ambition reveal how loyalties shift under pressure. The narrative explores how personal ties survive—or crumble—in a world of constant threat.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

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The Outfit Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Outfit, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Outfit Summary

The Outfit Timeline

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The Outfit Timeline

More About The Outfit

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More About The Outfit