The Outlaw Josey Wales Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 478

Average Rating: 3.1/4

# of Ratings: 223

Theatrical Release Date: 06/30/1976

Blu-ray/DVD Release Date: 06/01/2010

Language: English

Genre: Drama, Western

MPAA Rating: PG

Director: Clint Eastwood

Actors: Clint Eastwood, Chief Dan George, Sondra Locke, Bill McKinney, John Vernon, Sam Bottoms

Plot: Set after the end of the Civil War, Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood), joins a
rebel group that continues to wage war against the Union after a group of
Union soldiers murder his wife and son. He soon finds him self on his own
and running from the same group of Union soldiers chasing him to bring him
to justice. All the while Josey continues to kill (or spit tobacco) on any
man or thing that gets in his way.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/24/2023

Eastwood is as competent behind the camera as he is in front of it. The western icon gives the genre a much needed update with this anti-war protest movie set in a politically wounded America.

mitchellyoung - wrote on 03/17/2011

A larger backdrop of post-Civil War west surrounds an intimately-directed "man on a mission" film with subtle and nuanced character moments. Each character Josey Wales meets on his journey is fleshed out and captivating. The violence feels real and heavy and Eastwood carries the main role with an intense gravity, like he always does. As per most westerns, the film is beautifully shot and scored. The film's scope is epic, but Eastwood as a director never loses track of his characters or themes, which shine through amid the expansive Western countryside.

sapien - wrote on 02/01/2009

This is definitely one of the best westerns I've ever seen.

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

The Outlaw Josey Wales review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 03/06/2013

The family of Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood) has been murdered. He practices with a gun and becomes an outlaw to avenge his wife and son. Soundtrack was wonderful but nothing memorable. Eastwood's performance was earnest though the other figures felt unbelievable. The action was relentless and screenplay impressive. Some memorable lines: "Cause if you lose your head and you give up then you neither live nor win. That's just the way it is." and " I guess we all died a little in that damn war." - Josey. "It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues" - Ten Bears. Only minor qualms this reviewer had were the length due to the number of background characters (some even a bit cheesy with the dialogues) that rode with him and the death of the person who died by the sword …

Yojimbo
Movie God

"The Outlaw Josey Wales" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 04/30/2012

Yet another great western from Clint, he directs with real conviction probably more in the no nonsense style of Don "Dirty Harry" Siegel than Leone, but the result is an affecting and hugely likeable story. Josey Wales is a farmer who joins the southern rebels when his family is butchered by unionist raiders, only to see his friends murdered when they try to surrender at the end of the war. While on the run from their now state sanctioned killers, he encounters and befriends an entourage of oddballs and misfits who become his surrogate family. The first half hour is a fairly generic revenge western, but things come to life at the appearance of Chief Dan George, who brings real warmth and humour to his character, a kind of deconstructed portrait of the noble savage who is dismayed at his …