Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Josey: When I get to likin someone, they ain't around long.
Lone Watie: I notice when you get to dislikin someone they ain't around for long neither.

This is my entry into Epinions member, dbcint’s The Quote That Makes The Movie W/O. There are several quotes in this film that have stayed with through the years. I have listed some of them below. Thanks to dbcint for hosting this write-off. I finally made the big 100 reviews!


Directed By Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood as Josey Wales
Chief Dan George as Lone Watie
Bill McKinney as Terrill
John Vernon as Fletcher


Storyline / Plot


The Outlaw Josey Wales is set during the American Civil War era. Josey Wales (Clint Eastwood) was a farmer in Missouri. He had a wife and two small children and lead a simple life. Then one day some blood thirsty Red legs from Kansas, would change his life forever. During the Civil War, Kansas had their raiding parties that were referred to as, Jayhawkers or Red legs. Missouri also had a band of renegades that would raid Kansas, they were referred to as Bushwhackers. Josey Wales was not a part of the war. Josey stayed home to farm and tend to his family.

Then out of the blue, the war would catch up to him with a vengeance! The Red legs known as Terrill’s raiders showed up and killed his family, and burned his house down. The Red legs made a huge mistake by leaving Wales alive. They had forged a cold blooded killer that would have his revenge, at all cost. No sooner than Josey was able to bury his family, he joined up with a group of Southern Bushwhackers. Josey rode with this band of men throughout the Civil War. He never ran across the band of Red legs that were responsible for killing his family.

So when the group of men that he rode with surrendered, Josey chose not to. There was a reward immediately put out for, The Outlaw Josey Wales. Every bounty hunter in the country was after Josey. Furthermore, Terrill took it upon himself to personally capture Wales. The ensuing gun fights are many, and deadly. Wales is as fast as he is accurate. Along the way Wales picks up a couple of strap hangers that came along. One was an old Indian, went by the name, Watie. The others were what was left of a family of settlers after the Comancheros were done with them. There was an elderly woman and her daughter.

In the end this small and awkward band of people would make it to their destination in Texas. They would have no peace as long as Terrill and his men were still breathing. The ruthless band of Red legs had chased Wales all the way across Texas. Their intentions were to bring Wales back, dead or alive. Finally, Terrill and his men surround the cabin with a handful of people and Josey Wales, a piece of cake, right? It turns out to be one hell of a gun fight and in the end it come down to Wales and the man that killed his family.

Conclusion

The Outlaw Josey Wales is one of the best westerns out there. The plot has everything that a successful western needs, and then some. The dialog in this film is really something to hear. Some of the scenes are extremely funny, which is different than a typical western. Specifically, some of the scenes with the old Indian, Watie. This was about the fifth film that Eastwood directed and it was a step up to say the least. His debut as a director was, Play Misty For Me, I didn‘t care for it. Five films later, Eastwood delivers the smash hit, The Outlaw Josey Wales. The acting , the score, the cast and the one liners were great. I would recommend this film to anyone who likes westerns or Clint Eastwood.


Quotes from The Outlaw Josey Wales

Lone Watie: I didn't surrender, but they took my horse and made him surrender. They have him pulling a wagon up in Kansas I bet.
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Senator: There's a saying, Fletcher: To the victor belongs the spoils.
Fletcher: There's another saying, Senator: Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.
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Josey: You a bounty hunter?
Bounty hunter: A man has to do something these days to earn a living.
Josey: Dyin' ain't much of a living boy.

Features From The DVD: The Outlaw Josey Wales

► Original Theatrical Trailer
► Introduction by the director
► The making of The Outlaw Josey Wales
► 1976 documentary Clint Eastwood in action

Similar Movies

• Ride With The Devil
• High Plains Drifter
• Unforgiven
• Pale Rider

RUNTIME 1 hour 34 minutes
Rated: [R] For violence / language / nudity

Thanks for the read,
~Mac

©2004 Joe McMaster

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older