The Outlaw Josey Wales 4K UHD Review
“The Outlaw Josey Wales” is a noteworthy Clint Eastwood western.
Based on the book “Gone To Texas” by Forrest Carter and scripted by Philip Kaufman and Sonia Chernus, 1976’s “The Outlaw Josey Wales” begins in Missouri during the Civil War. A farmer (Josey Wales) is living comfortably with his wife and child, but his life quickly turns into a nightmare when a Union outfit known as the Redlegs (led by Captain Terrill) murder his wife and child. After a Confederate troop encounters a mourning Josey, Josey decides to join forces with them to battle against Union forces. When the war ends, the Confederate group surrenders, but they are all wiped out save for Josey, a young wounded Jamie, and Fletcher. Josey and and Jamie manage to escape while Fletcher is essentially forced to work with Captain Terrill and company to track down Josey and Jamie. Josey and Jamie flee to Texas, but the trip is fraught with peril that includes bounty hunters, Commancheros, and Terrill’s forces. Along the way, however, Josey encounters unexpected allies including an elderly Cherokee man (Lone Watie), a talkative Navajo woman (Little Moonlight), and a traveling Kansas woman (Sarah) and her granddaughter (Laura).
Directed by and starring Clint Eastwood, “The Outlaw Josey Wales” remains one of Eastwood’s most celebrated westerns. It’s a layered story about American history, the horrors of war, loss, and vengeance, but it’s also tonally compelling. Much of the subject matter is serious in nature, but there’s a fair amount of comedy strewn about. Basically, there’s more than meets the eye with ‘Josey.’
A story is only as good as its central character, but thankfully Josey himself is endlessly fascinating. He starts out as a farmer/family man who transforms into a scarred and hardened soldier. When the war ends, Josey barely escapes with his life. At one point Josey says “Sometimes trouble just follows a man” which definitely sets the tone for the entire movie as he is a wanted man on the run. In a strange twist of fate, Josey ends up becoming a part of a sort of rag-tag family along his journey. Sure, he’s a tobacco spitting gunslinger, but there are still traces of his former life to be found. Clint Eastwood is truly in peak form here in the title role. Equally fantastic here is the scene-stealing Chief Dan George as Lone Watie who has many of the best scenes and lines.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 2.39:1 2160p. How does it look? As with the other 2 Eastwood 4K catalogue releases in this batch, this 4K transfer is just as astonishing of a restoration as “Dirty Harry” and “Pale Rider.”
Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? This is a truly dynamic track that really comes alive during the gun blazing action.
Extras:
* Digital copy
* Commentary by film critic/film historian Richard Schickel.
* “Clint Eastwood: Reinventing Westerns”- Same extra that was on “Pale Rider.”
* “The Cinematography Of An Outlaw: Crafting Josey Wales”- A new featurette
* “An Outlaw And An Antihero” is a new extra all about the Josey Wales character.
* “Clint Eastwood’s West” revolves around Clint Eastwood westerns.
* “Eastwood In Action”- A vintage featurette
* “Hell Hath No Fury- The Making Of The Outlaw Josey Wales”- Archival 29 minute making of featurette.
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