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The Outlaw Josey Wales | Year: 1976 Classification: Western Directed: - Clint Eastwood Actors/Actresses: - Clint Eastwood - Sondra Locke A Man Like Wales, Lives By The Feud Some 16 years before the Oscar laden and equally brilliant "Unforgiven", this movie is seen by many as one of Clint Eastwoods finest movies, particularly in the Western genre. Playing the title role himself, we meet Josey Wales, a quiet farmer, abruptly thrown into the civil war after his land and family are attacked by Union soldiers, who joins up with the confederate fight in an almost guerilla / mercenary way. The civil War aspect of the story is little more than an opening skirmish however, as it is the subsequent fugitive aspect of the character that moves us through most of the picture. I have to disagree with those that think this is just a revenge movie, or that a single viewing is all one can manage, as the story unfolds in a multi faceted way with each succesive viewing, despite the viewer knowing the ending. Wales comes to be the guiding scout and protector to an unlikely and very mixed bag of characters (all played with sound realism)as he is continually and almost reluctantly hounded by his former ally Fletcher. Charged with hunting him down, Fletcher (played with a salty almost poetic grace by John Vernon) must accompany a band of "red leg" Union soldiers, with more than questionable morality, to the border and this long pursuit helps the picture move at an even pace. Add some interesting subplots, commancheros, some imaginative and lively characters (with many of Eastwoods regular screen stars in various roles)and the overall effect is just right, without trying to be moralistic. Often brutal in it's depiction of the "wild" west, and at times graphically violent keeps the deserved R rating, but some moments of comedy and pathos bring an unmistakable Eastwood handprint of direction, without overtaking the excellent story or script. Already widely received as a classic piece of filmaking, it has stood the test of time extremely well, and has become one of the movies that have benchmarked the genre since it's release almost thirty years ago. Extremely enjoyable movie. "Dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy." Okay, I'll admit it: this film has some goofy quirks, uneven moments, and scenes where Clint mumbles his lines as if he were a ventriloquist, yet THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES remains one of my very favorite westerns. I saw this movie when it first came out in 1976, watched it every time I could find it on cable, then purchased the VHS tape when it first became available. After all these years--after countless viewings--this film remains as entertaining and as enjoyable as the night I first saw it on the big screen. The story is compelling: Josey Wales, a quiet, peaceful Missouri farmer, joins a band of Confederate soldiers to avenge the brutal murders of his wife and son (played by Eastwood's son, Kyle), then refuses to surrender at the end of the war. He becomes an outlaw, hunted relentlessly by the very Union soldiers who killed his family, a manhunt that sends Wales and an ever-growing group of stragglers deep into Texas. "Sometimes trouble just follows a man," Wales laments prophetically. And sometimes a character--like Josey Wales--portrays such a rich depth of anger, anguish, and an overwhelming desire to live in peace, that the viewer is mesmerized by the injustice of it all. Clint Eastwood directed this movie, his very first to direct, and gave notice to Hollywood that he was also a force to be reckoned with behind the camera. The cast is uneven, but Chief Dan George, Will Sampson, and John Vernon stand out and give impressive performances. And for those of us who have on occasion enjoyed a plug of chewing tobacco, the "spitting scenes" are hysterical. THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES is a keeper, a grand "shoot-'em-up" with a heart of gold. Eastwood has the union army surrounded <BR>Director: Clint Eastwood<BR>Format: ColorRated: <BR>Studio: Warner Studios <BR>Video Release Date: September 2, 2003 Cast: Clint Eastwood ... Josey Wales <BR>Chief Dan George ... Lone Watie <BR>Sondra Locke ... Laura Lee <BR>Bill McKinney ... Terrill <BR>John Vernon ... Fletcher <BR>Paula Trueman ... Grandma Sarah <BR>Sam Bottoms ... Jamie <BR>Geraldine Keams ... Little Moonlight <BR>Woodrow Parfrey ... Carpetbagger <BR>Joyce Jameson ... Rose <BR>Sheb Wooley ... Travis Cobb <BR>Royal Dano ... Ten Spot <BR>Matt Clark ... Kelly <BR>John Verros ... Chato <BR>Will Sampson ... Ten Bears <BR>William O'Connell ... Sim Carstairs <BR>John Quade ... Comanchero Leader <BR>Frank Schofield ... Senator Lane <BR>Buck Kartalian ... Shopkeeper <BR>Len Lesser ... Abe <BR>Doug McGrath ... Lige <BR>John Russell ... Bloody Bill Anderson <BR>Charles Tyner ... Zukie Limmer <BR>Bruce M. Fischer ... Yoke <BR>John Mitchum ... Al <BR>John Davis Chandler ... First Bounty Hunter <BR>Tom Roy Lowe ... Second Bounty Hunter <BR>Clay Tanner ... First Texas Ranger <BR>Robert F. Hoy ... Second Texas Ranger <BR>Madeline T. Holmes ... Grannie Hawkins <BR>Erik Holland ... Union Army Sergeant <BR>Cissy Wellman ... Josey's Wife <BR>Faye Hamblin ... Grandpa Samuel <BR>Danny Green ... Lemuel <BR>Kyle Eastwood ... Josey's Son <BR>Richard Farnsworth ... Comanchero Josie Wales' family was murdered and his home burned by union redlegs, so he joins Bill Fletcher's border raiders on the confederate side of the war and does his share of getting even. When Fletcher turns in his men for money (except Wales) and they are all killed, Wales becomes an outlaw on the run from union authorities. They hunt him clear into Mexico, where things come to a head. Josie Wales single handedly surrounds the entire union army and the Indian nations. This is a good story, well acted by all concerned, and very well directed by Eastwood, as are all of his films. Joseph (Joe) Pierre<BR><BR>author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance<BR>and other books Eastwood has the union army surrounded Cast: Clint Eastwood ... Josey Wales Josie Wales' family was murdered and his home burned by union redlegs, so he joins Bill Fletcher's border raiders on the confederate side of the war and does his share of getting even. When Fletcher turns in his men for money (except Wales) and they are all killed, Wales becomes an outlaw on the run from union authorities. They hunt him clear into Mexico, where things come to a head. Josie Wales single handedly surrounds the entire union army and the Indian nations. This is a good story, well acted by all concerned, and very well directed by Eastwood, as are all of his films. Joseph (Joe) Pierre Buy The Outlaw Josey Wales at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Outlaw Josey Wales Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Outlaw Josey Wales This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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