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I can't believe that this is the same movie that came out on DVD 20 years ago. So much has happened since then regarding the preservation and restoration of silent movies that this Blu-Ray looks like a completely different film. It's the same movie but the picture image is so much sharper and the previous defects (scratches, splices) have been cleaned up considerably. The last reel had suffered such severe nitrate decomposition as to be unwatchable. That's not the case now. The edges are still quite obvious but there is enough image in the center of the frame that you can clearly see what is going on. This is very important as the ending contains one of the most physical knockdown drag-out fights ever captured on film. An alternate ending from a later 16mm print which eliminates all that mayhem is included as a bonus extra.

The main reason OUTSIDE THE LAW is around today is that it marks an early collaboration between director Tod Browning and Lon Chaney but the movie was made as a starring vehicle for Priscilla Dean who was Universal's biggest star in 1921. She was a carryover from the late teens when how a woman acted was more important than how she looked. Priscilla would be considered too heavy by later standards (especially today's) but she was attractive, intelligent, and resourceful. No man was needed to save her as she could more than take care of herself. That was the principal theme in most of her movies as her characters were strong and independent although she usually fell in love at the end and wound up with the leading man.

The story is set in San Francisco's Chinatown and concerns a gangster and his feisty daughter (Dean) who are being reformed by a sympathetic Chinese philosopher who follows the teachings of Confucius. They cross paths with "Black Mike" Sylva (Chaney), a thoroughly despicable hoodlum who frames Dean's father forcing her to go "outside the law" in order to clear his name. They are aided by a young safecracker (Wheeler Oakman, Dean's real life husband) and the philosopher's Chinese servant (also Chaney) as they battle "Black Mike" and his gang leading to the climatic free-for-all. In addition to the performers, the movie is noteworthy today as a prototype for film noir with its dark lighting, interesting camera set-ups and tight editing.

The problem for a modern audience is that, even though they are sympathetic, the main Chinese characters are played by white actors which was standard practice for the day. The philosopher doesn't look Asian at all and Chaney's make-up, though remarkable, is strictly caricature with slant eyes and buck teeth. Personally it doesn't bother me as I always try to view old movies within the context and the time period of when they were made but there are many people today who would find it offensive. If you can get past that then what you have is a crackerjack crime film with a strong heroine, a vile villain, and a powerhouse ending. This is one of two Priscilla Dean Blu-Rays that have just been made available (the other is DRIFTING / WHITE TIGER) from Kino. Thanks to them and to Universal for making this unjustly forgotten star available once again...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.

This is an awesome film, Lon Chaney is so creepy looking as the gangster 'Black Mike'. When Lon Chaney is on the screen you can't get your eyes off of him, his facial expressions and body gestures speak a thousand words. Not only was he brilliant as the gangster he also plays another role as a chinese servant, (a somewhat similar role he would reprise 2 years later in the film Shadows) the transformation is astonishing! Thats why he is called a man of a thousand faces!

The story is about Black Mike's attempt to frame an affluent citizen in a crime, and then have him turn against the law because of his time spent in jail as an innocent. Most of the story focuses on the man's daughter who turns to a life of crime by stealing some expensive jewelry. There is tons of swindling and double crossing in this film.

This Film Directed by 'Freaks' Director Todd Browning is a tense thriller that can still keep you riveted to your seat. It is most saddening that many of Lon Chaney's films are lost, the quality is pretty bad on this one with last reel being totally washed out. Something must be done to restore all of these films or we will loose an integral part of film history, and one of best actors ever!

I have always been a fan of Lon Chaney, but I have never had the opportunity to see some of his early films. "Outside the Law", released in 1920 is one of his early gems.

Chaney at this time, had not yet achieved the stardom that he was to experience in a few short years. In this film, Chaney plays two supporting roles, that of a thug named "Black Mike" and a Chinese servant named Ah Wing. The hero and heroine are played by Priscilla Dean and Wheeler Oakman. I had not heard of Ms. Dean before this, but I can say that she gave an excellent performance. Oakman, who wound up in "B" westerns in the 30s, was good as well.

Chaney's characters are totally different and his makeup for the Ah Wing character is phenominal. It gives us a glimpse of kind of makeup artistry that we would experience in his future films.

The tape that I watched this film on was duplicated from a partially decomposed nitrate print, however most of the "bad film" is in the final reels but is still watchable.

In "Outside the Law", we can see the emergence of the genius that was Lon Chaney.

Chinatown, San Francisco serves as the backdrop to this intriguing story of a couple of criminals, having stolen some jewels in a heist, holed up in an apartment building to stay low from the cops and another criminal they rooked named Black Mike. The woman, played with fiery intensity by a ravishing Priscilla Dean, and man, Dapper Bill played by Wheeler Oakman with some charisma, soon realize they want to go straight and make new lives for themselves. An older Oriental figure of some importance in the Chinatown community had been telling Molly, Dean's character, and her father that crime does not pay and lives can all be changed for the good. This influence and the kindness/understanding that goes with it, the love that develops between Molly and Bill, and a small child that wends his momentary ways into their hearts all help this transformation of character take place. Outside the Law is a really remarkable film for a number of reasons when you considered it was made in 1920! Director Tod Browning shows that he can direct. After all he learned under the master himself, D. W. Griffith. Browning paces the flow and action of the film very nicely and manages to create characters that are not just stereotypes but three-dimensional. The acting helps do this naturally as well as all of it is quite good, but make no mistake - acting honors go to the "Man of a Thousand Faces" Lon Chaney in an early screen role well before he and Browning were stars. Chaney is brilliant not only as the nefarious Black Mike - oozing oily charm, but also as Ah Wing, the Asian helper to the old Chinese friend of the Madden family. Chaney could have played both roles in a very stereotypical fashion and still be credible, but Chaney pours his heart into each and makes them truly believable. As Ah Wing he is also almost undetectable. As far as Chaney's very early features go, Outside the Law is currently my favorite.

Not a stab at the movie's quality but (as with many Lon Chaney vehicles) it's worth a watch mostly for his typically electrifying performance. He plays another tough as nails gangster bad guy called Black Mike (and has a secondary role as Ah Wing, Chinese sage Chang Low's assistant) but instead of merely fulfilling his genre role as antagonist and villain, he brings a level of malevolence that elevelates his character to a whole other kind of grotesque not far from horror territory.

As is true for other films that Chaney received second billing, he's mostly in the opening and closing 15 minutes which are packed with explosive action. The middle deals with the mandatory romance between protagonist Molly Maddoc (played by the sashy Priscilla Dean who steals scenes) and Black Mike's right hand man Bill who double crosses his boss out of remorse and love for miss Maddoc. They spend the middle act holed up in an apartment after a successful jewel robbery, hiding from cops and Black Mike alike.

All in all Outside the Law is not a masterpiece of any kind but fans of silent films and especially Lon Chaney will find enough to appreciate.