Clint Eastwood’s fifth film as a director, The Outlaw Josey Wales, derived from the novel Gone to Texas by Forrest Carter, is one of Eastwood’s best early westerns. Armed with a screenplay by Sonia Chernus and Philip Kaufman, with music by Jerry Fielding (The Wild Bunch, The Enforcer, Semi-Tough), the film possesses the characteristics that mark a memorable film about the Old West. We have the terse loner, the stirring shoot-outs, the rescues, gorgeous outdoor vistas, a pretty girl, and a cast of colorful supporting players to keep things interesting.
A Missouri farmer, Josey Wales (Eastwood) finds himself spiraling into darkness after marauding Union guerillas kill his wife and towheaded “Little Josey” (played by Eastwood’s son Kyle). Lost, Wales dedicates what little desire he has left to revenge alongside Confederate guerillas. When the war ends, Wales remains on the run, refusing to surrender himself to the North. With a price on his head, Josey heads west, perhaps to Mexico, through the Indian Nations and down to Texas, he isn’t sure. Oddly enough, the man Josey is looking for, Terrill (Bill McKinney), is leading the posse charged with tracking him down, accompanied by one of Josey’s former friends, a man named Fletcher (John Vernon).
An independent man by nature, his journey brings him in contact with all variety of castaways. One by one, they all insist on tagging along with him. The first is a young soldier (Sam Bottoms); then it’s an old Indian (Chief Dan George); a young Indian woman (Geraldine Keams); an elderly lady (Paula Trueman); her beautiful granddaughter (Sandra Locke); and a mean red hound.
While The Outlaw Josey Wales shares marginal similarities with such western classics as Shane, and The Magnificent Seven, it really fuses Sergio Leone’s dark, gritty version of the Old West with the sweeping vistas of Jeremiah Johnson, and a vision of a mid-nineteenth century frontier populated by common people—farmers, ranchers, and other settlers trying to eke out a living in a rough-and-tumble environment.
Eastwood’s character is the kind of western hero we’ve come to expect, but he also has vulnerabilities. Haunted by the deaths of his wife and son, he has doubts about his place in this world and realizes his limitations. It’s through his doubts and vulnerabilities that he finds new acquaintances and experiences new things.
The Outlaw Josey Wales shines on 4K. The film like details, are beautifully detailed throughout. the vast earth toned landscapes look better than ever before. Shadows are deep and well delineated. Close ups show every pore and wrinkle. The fantastic use of natural light is a standout, helping to create a wonderful viewing experience.
The 4K disc offers an enveloping Dolby Atmos track which results in immersive effects throughout, and clear and concise dialogue. The included TrueHD as well as DTS HD 2.0 track are no less immersive, and dialogue is clear.
English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
- Commentary by Richard Schickel: The critic and filmmaker discusses the development and production, while providing some insightful analysis. Schickel knows his stuff, particularly when it comes to Eastwood.
- NEW! An Outlaw and An Antihero (7:22) In this new retrospective film and media professor John Trafton, senior film studies lecturer Sue Richardson, among others shares their thoughts on Josey Wales and his role as an anti-hero.
- NEW! The Cinematography of an Outlaw: Crafting Josey Wales (7:55) Retrospective interviews that pay tribute to the work of cinematographer Bruce Surtees. This piece also includes some behind-the-scenes footage.
- Clint Eastwood’s West (29:03) Highlights Eastwood’s work in the genre, starting with TV’s Rawhide, touching on his big breakthrough in Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Westerns, but ultimately settling on Eastwood’s own directorial voice with High Plains Drifter, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Pale Rider and Unforgiven. The piece includes interviews with film critics, directing and acting colleagues and Eastwood himself.
- Eastwood in Action (7:54) A vintage, EPK style behind-the-scenes piece.
- Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales (29:14) Covers the film’s development and production, with interviews of various members of the cast and crew and behind-the-scenes footage. The closing interview with Eastwood includes a humorous description of the qualities of various brands of chewing tobacco. Produced in 1999.
- Reinventing Westerns (17:36) This 2021 episode of the docuseries Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy has a series of interviews with Clint Eastwood’s collaborators and fans, including producer Albert S. Ruddy, and Mel Gibson.