The Outlaw Josey Wales (DVD)

When your family has just been raped and butchered by Redlegs and there seems nothing left what do you do? You join the hold outs and seek revenge.

This film is probably my favourite Eastwood movie, it's set toward the end of the American Civil War, when life was hard for those left with nothing. Rebel group's rode through the country raping and pillaging, leaving devastation and heartache in their trail. Many who had not taken part in the war were left to seek their vengeance, these men were the Holdouts. Certain unscrupulous Army Officers were charged with cleaning the country of these Outlaws.

Josey Wales lost his wife and son to the Redlegs and rode with the Holdouts. An amnesty was offered by the Army and most of the Holdouts headed to their camp to accept its conditions. As it turns out it was a trap and most of them were brutally slaughtered. Josey had not gone to take up the offer but was nearby as the slaughter began. He rode like the wind to help his friends. Josey kills most of the Armies forces and escapes.

One time Holdout and now working for the Army Fletcher ( played by John Vernon ) is charged with capturing Josey and bringing him to justice, in his quest he is accompanied by the Captain ( played by Bill McKinney ) who killed Josie's family. This union sets up the ending of the film. As Josey heads for the sanctuary of the reservations he has various acquaintances and ends up on a journey toward a ranch owned by the son of one of his now companions. By this time he is accompanied by an Indian Chief ( played by Chief Dan George ), a widow and her daughter whom he saved from renegade Indians. And a scraggy dog who just tagged along.

Throughout the film Josey is forced mostly unwantingly to display his gunslinger skills. There are some great one-liners in this film. On one occasion he is challenged by a Bounty hunter out for the large reward now on Josie's head. The Bounty hunter enters a bar and asks for Josey. They look at each other and Josey says " You a Bounty Hunter" to which the reply is "yes". Josey return is " Dying ain't much of a living boy.". naturally Josey shoots him and continues on his journey.

There are some very touching moments in this film and the romantic threads are supplied by Sondra Locke at that time. Locke plays the daughter of the widow and she falls for Josey.

They pass through various places and scrimmages happen, at one village Josey is recognised by a salesman he had met earlier on. Josey is carrying groceries and watched by 4 soldiers. Josey spits as he does everytime he is about to pull off a bit of gunslinging. "Are you gonna pull those pistols or whistle Dixie" A few seconds later 4 soldiers lie dead.

They eventually reach their destination which is supposed to be an idyllic ranch in green pastures and babbling brooks. The silver had run out in the neighbouring town and with no work everyone had left and the ranch had become somewhat derelict.

Former employees of the widows son who's ranch it is join forces with Josey and Co and build the ranch up. At this point enter the not too happy Indians. There are some fights with the Indians and all looks lost before Josey rides down to the Indian camp for some Pow Wow with the big Chief. The film moves along at a decent pace with the odd burst of action. It is most definitely a ONE TO WATCH if you like westerns.

I think Eastwood plays this part superbly, as does Chief Dan George. It is a heart-warming story of hard times turning good and friends supporting friends in a time when law was scarce.

Eastwood is once again very much the loner who attracts the unfortunate and is unwilling to let them suffer.

So get some beers in and have a shifties and see if you think as I do that it is a good film.

It is available for around £15 at most good retailers. The DVD extras are minimal being that they are basically just scene selection and language options.