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From Amazon.co.uk
During the Civil War, Union "Redlegs" attack Southerner Josey Wales's dirt farm and wipe out his family. Seeking vengeance, Wales throws in with a company of Reb guerrillas. Tagged as a renegade after the surrender, he flees west into the vastness of the Indian Territories, where, quite unintentionally, he finds himself cast as the straight-shooting paterfamilias of an ever-growing, spectacularly motley community of misfits and castaways. Which is to say, Josey's personal quest for survival and something like peace of mind evolves into a funky, multicultural allegory of the healing of America.
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), Clint Eastwood's 31st film as an actor, 20th as international star and 5th as director, was the first to win him widespread respect. Critics had grumbled when the producer-star replaced Philip Kaufman (The Right Stuff) in the director's chair a week into shooting. They ended up cheering when Eastwood delivered both his most sympathetic performance to date and--with the heroic collaboration of cinematographer Bruce Surtees--an impressive Panavision epic that stresses the scruffiness, rather than the scenic splendors, of frontier life.
Though it's been honoured with a place in the National Film Registry, Josey Wales is good, not great, Eastwood. The big-gun fetishism can get tiresome, and too many characters exist only to serve as six-gun (and at one point Gatling gun) fodder. But mostly the film is agreeably eccentric, and almost furtively sweet in spirit--a key transitional title in the Eastwood filmography, and one of his most entertaining. --Richard T. Jameson
Product Description
Clint Eastwood directs and stars as Josey Wales, a peaceful farmer at the time of the American Civil War who becomes a Confederate outlaw in order to avenge his family's death at the hands of Union guerillas. His obsession with revenge slowly lifts, however, as he picks up various outcasts in the wilderness. Wales tries to protect his new 'family' by leading them to a safe haven where they can rebuild their lives.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By S J Buck
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Until Dances with Wolves and then Eastwoods own Unforgiven this was the best western post 1970. Eastwood plays the title role who is a certainly a match for the man with no name, but unlike that character Josey Wales is not amoral, in fact quite the contrary.
This is the first movie that Eastwood directed that made people sit up and notice him as a filmmaker rather than an action hero. Some classic trademark Eastwood lines are in this film, perhaps the best of which is:
Bounty Hunter - "You're wanted Wales"
Josey Wales - "Reckon I'm right popular. You a Bounty Hunter?"
BH - "A man's got to do something for a living these days"
JW - "Dyin' ain't much of a livin' boy"
The difference with this film (over say the spagetti westerns) is that Eastwoods character gradually becomes part of a family like gang of people. Most noteably an aging Indian (played by Chief Dan George) which makes for some wonderfully understated comic moments. One of the strengths of this film is you do care what happens. Yes there are gun fights and people are killed but in the end there is a sort of reconcilliation.
Already by this stage of his career Eastwood had a regular team around him to make the film. Standout amongst which is Bruce Surtees cinematography. This really is beautiful looking film.
This is the first movie that Eastwood directed that made people sit up and notice him as a filmmaker rather than an action hero. Some classic trademark Eastwood lines are in this film, perhaps the best of which is:
Bounty Hunter - "You're wanted Wales"
Josey Wales - "Reckon I'm right popular. You a Bounty Hunter?"
BH - "A man's got to do something for a living these days"
JW - "Dyin' ain't much of a livin' boy"
The difference with this film (over say the spagetti westerns) is that Eastwoods character gradually becomes part of a family like gang of people. Most noteably an aging Indian (played by Chief Dan George) which makes for some wonderfully understated comic moments. One of the strengths of this film is you do care what happens. Yes there are gun fights and people are killed but in the end there is a sort of reconcilliation.
Already by this stage of his career Eastwood had a regular team around him to make the film. Standout amongst which is Bruce Surtees cinematography. This really is beautiful looking film.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Thirty years after it was made, The Outlaw Josey Wales still stands up as Eastwood's finest outing as director. Like the later Unforgiven, it casts Eastwood in his traditional role of legendary gunfighter, but explores and humanizes the character, carrying him on a journey of genuine change and development. For me, this makes for a far more meaningful and enjoyable film than something like High Plains Drifter, in which Eastwood is just an inexplicable figure of vengeance; he isn't given a lot of credit for his acting skills, but when called upon do something other than just shoot people and look mean, Eastwood can deliver the goods. The Outlaw Josey Wales is one of only three films in which he cries onscreen, and in the opening scenes of the film he actually convinces as a meek farmer unable to stop his family`s murder. Whilst, throughout the film, he projects an image of violence and hatred, we see this image punctured as he continually comes into contact with other, weaker outcasts from society whom he is compelled to help. A story about redemption, not revenge, the film finally acknowledges that Josey Wales' true nature, of a family man, provider, and protector, still exists inside the feared outlaw he has become, and when he finally confronts the man who killed his wife and child, he is willing to forgive, and only kills him because the man in question is unable to comprehend this forgiveness. Ending on an upbeat note of new life, The Outlaw Josey Wales is Eastwood's most positive and emotionally complex work.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By M. Stewart
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I will keep this review short and speak about the Blu Ray.
This WB US disc is region free so will play in any country.
I had this on dvd and this blu ray was a huge improvement with vibrant colours and sharper pq.
Special features includes are commentary by Richard Schickel, New featurette Clint Eastwood's west
Plus 2 vintage featurettes- Hell has no fury - The making of the Outlaw Josey Wales and Eastwood in action,Plus a theatrical trailer.
The digibook is great and sound quality is greatly improved over the dvd.
This WB US disc is region free so will play in any country.
I had this on dvd and this blu ray was a huge improvement with vibrant colours and sharper pq.
Special features includes are commentary by Richard Schickel, New featurette Clint Eastwood's west
Plus 2 vintage featurettes- Hell has no fury - The making of the Outlaw Josey Wales and Eastwood in action,Plus a theatrical trailer.
The digibook is great and sound quality is greatly improved over the dvd.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Outlaw Josey Wales (Blu-ray version)...
Clint Eastwood directs this 1976 production about the Missouri farmer who joins a Confederate guerrilla unit and ends up on the run from the Union soldiers who murdered his family... Read more
Published 29 days ago by Milt Ingarfield
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Eastwood Western.
I never liked any of the `Spaghetti Westerns' that he was so famous for, and the later films, such as the Oscar-winner `Unforgiven', are, in my humble opinion, overrated. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. P. Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Eastwood at his prime
Recommended for all Eastwood & any cowboy fans. Four stars only because of the sound not bad but just period
Published 1 month ago by Peter Burgess
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Western
Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, The Outlaw Josey Wales was a significant Western from the seventies which tells the story of Missouri farmer Josey Wales (Eastwood) who... Read more
Published 2 months ago by D Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of eastwoods best films
It worked fine which has not been my unequivocal experience of buying DVD's in the past. So feel safe buying this
Published 2 months ago by Mr. R. J. Cox
5.0 out of 5 stars
what a guy Clint is
this is another great western film, im not really a fan of westerns bu this guy makes them worth watching in many ways , his acting is fantastic and there's never a dull moment ,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by E. Reay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Western by far.
In my top ten of all films and I think the best western ever made. Clint is on top form and some classic lines in this film.
Published 2 months ago by phil hayes
5.0 out of 5 stars
little surprise christmas gift.
nice little stocking filler for in someones stocking at christmas, cost very little, but is known as a super realistic movie.
Published 3 months ago by M. E. Hewitt
5.0 out of 5 stars
SHOWCASE BLU-RAY TRANSFER
Having never been a fan of the genre there are few westerns within my movie collection, however THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES is certainly a valued edition. Read more
Published 3 months ago by jimmcn1
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent western
The blu-ray version had an excellent picture which enhanced my enjoyment of the film. The extras were also interesting and added to my understanding of the background to the making... Read more
Published 3 months ago by APD
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