Search - The Outlaw Josey Wales on DVD

Rick G. (hewhoispapa) from MARTINEZ, CA
Reviewed on 4/6/2014...

The "making of" feature explains that the big difference between Josey Wales and previous Eastwood films is you can see where Josey Wales comes from, what type of life he lived and person he was. So the idea is you see the character growth, and not just join a nameless, stoic, westerner having no real idea of his background.

Well, essentially Josey starts out a family man, plowing the earth and supporting a wife and kid and a small freshly built house. His family is killed by a band of Northern Rednecks who burn his house, attack him with a sword and leave him for dead. Although it is not spoken, his actions later of practicing with a pistol imply he is not going to let this happen again. He is challenged by a group of Southern men to join them in seeking out the retribution for killing their own. During this whole time, (months, years?) Josey evolves into the stoic and quiet man from his previous films. Here, however, he does have the opportunity to show compassion as well as stoicism.

The film takes place in the 1800s at the end of the Civil War. It is rooted in the conflict between North and South. The Indians, Comanches, are shown in positive light and Dan George, a Canadian Indian actor is just super. He delivers his lines for real and low key and so the humor in his lines is wonderful. Not sarcastic, but dry, as if he himself is not trying to be funny, just logical or reasonable. Several castaways band together in the distant part of Texas, with Josey more or less their leader. They pretty much become a family together helping each other and celebrating together. And due to his courage and sincerity, Josey makes a pact with the Indians which allows this family to live in peace with them.

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