Jerry Fielding was a great composer. The edgy sense that follows "The Outfit" from scene to scene is helped immeasurably by his soundtrack. The music builds up, adding a lot to the tension factor. The music is economical, not flashy at all. It has a very close to the bone quality to it. So why do I start by talking about the music? Because it's just so rare that a soundtrack adds so much, it actually makes a better film.

Robert Duvall and Joe Don Baker have a very natural interplay, a sort of grimy half-drunk friendship that feels immediately true to life. Karen Black is very good as well. The plot itself is basic, with shades of "Point Blank" and various other revenge-oriented films. John Flynn is not the most imaginative director, so it's a little low on the style end of things visually. Somehow, it all comes together. Good acting, really great soundtrack, and a fast pace. You'll get into this one.

Years later his imprisonment, ex-con (Robert Duvall)named Macklin is released from jail. He aware his brother has been justly murdered by two inquisitive hit men under orders of crime syndicate, but they robbed a bank was owned by the mobsters. The outsider ex-con reluctantly gets involved and seeks revenge and battles corrupts killers. Then, he visits to mobster Mailer(Robert Ryan), responsible for his brother's death. Macklin is only helped by a tough thief(Joe Don Baker )and his fiancée(Karen Black), thirsting for vengeance.

This is a tough , action filled, suspenseful, and violent thriller. It's a tense and engagingly movie , ignored in 1974, but now regarded as a top film of the decade of the 70s. Solid main cast, Robert Duval, Karen Black and Joe Don Baker; furthermore veteran supporting cast helps with several known secondaries, such as Elisha Cook, Timothy Carey, Marie Windsor, Shree North, Henry Jones, Jane Greer, among others . This well directed motion picture is based upon a novel by Donald E Westlake, writing credits as Richard Stark. Atmospheric cinematography by Bruce Surtees, son of Robert Surtees, and usual cameraman of Clint Eastwood. Stirring musical score by Jerry Fielding, Sam Peckinpah's habitual. Director John Flynn who gave magnificent performances to Tommy Lee Jones (Rolling Thunder), Jan Michael Vincent , James Woods (Bestseller), here gave immense credibility to Robert Duvall . Rating : Good, the result is a strong outing of action thriller.