Outland (1981) – Film Review

Director: Peter Hyams
Cast: Sean Connery, Peter Boyle, Frances Sternhagen
Certificate: 15

By Sarah Morgan

Sean Connery in space. What a thought – and what a brilliant idea.

The actor’s adventures as James Bond may have been out of this world in some respects, but his forays into science fiction were few and far between. Wearing a big nappy while cavorting in John Boorman’s Zardoz could hardly be described as a standard entry into the genre, and in some respects, although it’s a very different movie, Outland is unusual too.

In 1979, Ridley Scott made Alien, which is basically a haunted house movie in space. Two years later, Peter Hyams hoped he could make a Western, but being told there was no audience for such films any more, adopted a similar approach to Scott by using sci-fi as a backdrop, adding various Western tropes into the mix rather than horror.

“Uncomfortable place”

The result is one of Connery’s finest non-007 projects in which he plays Marshall William O’Neil, who has been assigned to the base Con-Am 27 on Io, a Jupiter moon which is being mined for its valuable titanium ore.

The conditions for the workers are poor, but to make it seem more appealing, hefty bonuses are paid to staff who work long, arduous hours while wearing spacesuits that are cumbersome. O’Neil’s wife Carol decides she can’t face raising their son Paul in such an uncomfortable place, so organises a transfer back to Earth, just as two workers die violently.

O’Neil discovers their deaths may have been caused by an amphetamine-style drug smuggled onto the moon by the workers’ boss. He wants the lawman killed, but the morally upstanding O’Neil is determined to bring him down, even if it means losing his family, and possibly his own life.

Peter Boyle co-stars as Sheppard, the villain behind the drugs who is more concerned with profit than he is with human life, while Frances Sternhagen plays Dr Lazarus, the only person O’Neil can really trust.

“Dominates the entire film”

Look out too for appearances by Gary Olsen, Clarke Peters, Sharon Duce, Steven Berkoff and John Ratzenberger.

However, this is undoubtedly Connery’s movie; he dominates the entire film, despite delivering a rather low-key performance, one of the best of his career. Think Gary Cooper’s Marshal Will Kane from High Noon, but with elements of film noir in space added for good measure, and you get the picture.

Hyams’ direction and screenplay are impressive too, building on his previous sci-fi success with 1978’s Capricorn One. And thanks to a 4K restoration, the movie has never looked better.

There are plenty of special features for viewers to get their teeth into too, including an in-depth interview with Hyams himself.

Sarah Morgan( Writer )

Sarah Morgan studied film journalism at post-graduate level with the BFI and has been writing about TV and film for PA Media’s newspaper, magazine and new media customers since 1996. She’s also written for a wide range of other publications, both online and in print, including the book Offbeat and Intermission magazine, and is a regular contributor to the Talking Pictures TV podcast. When she isn’t watching movies, she’s collecting and reading vintage crime and horror paperback books or, for her sins, watching her beloved Sheffield Wednesday.

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FAQs – Outland 4K UHD Limited Edition

What is Outland about?

Federal marshal William O’Niel is posted to mining base Con-Am 27 on Io – he uncovers a lethal drug conspiracy and takes on the company behind it.

Who directed and who stars?

Director – Peter Hyams. Cast – Sean Connery, Peter Boyle, Frances Sternhagen.

Why is it often called “a Western in space”?

It uses classic Western tropes – the lone lawman, a corrupt town, a looming showdown – but sets them on a Jupiter moon.

Where is the film set?

Io – six hundred million miles from Earth – at the titanium-ore mining facility Con-Am 27.

What is the UK certificate and runtime?

Certificate 15 – runtime 109 minutes.

What makes Connery’s performance stand out?

He plays O’Niel with restrained grit – a principled marshal holding the line against corporate intimidation.

What are the key technical specs?

Brand-new 4K restoration – 4K (2160p) UHD in Dolby Vision – aspect ratio 2.35:1 – English audio 2.0 stereo and DTS-HD MA 5.1 – English SDH subtitles – Region coding N/A.

What special features are included?

Two audio commentaries, new and archival interviews, featurettes on cinematography and effects, visual essays, trailer, gallery, reversible sleeve, poster and an illustrated booklet.

Is there an archive commentary?

Yes – an archive commentary by writer-director Peter Hyams, plus a new commentary by critic Chris Alexander.

Does the edition include a booklet?

Yes – an illustrated collector’s booklet with new writing by Priscilla Page and Brandon Streussnig.

How does the film look in 4K?

The new restoration sharpens the industrial production design and space exteriors – a notable upgrade over older releases.

Who else appears in the film?

Look for supporting turns from Steven Berkoff, John Ratzenberger, Sharon Duce, Clarke Peters and more.