You kinda wonder how a guy can direct and star in his own film, but I guess Eastwood acted in so many westerns up to this point he could do them in his sleep, especially given the fact he starred in over 200 episodes of the television series Rawhide. But eventually he started steppin into the director’s chair. He directed and starred in High Plains Drifter in 1973 as his second directorial effort, and then a few films later, this. Needless to say, he learned his craft well, both in front of and from the director’s chair, and spits chaw like an ace!
Josey Wales, just workin his land in the Missouri as the Civil War comes to a close. Unfortunately, his wife and child are viciously marauded by some pro-Union pricks ranging about. With nothing left but his gun, Josey joins up with Fletcher (Dean Vernon) and his ragtag team of Southern boy bushwackers, creating havoc for the Union across the battlefronts. But Fletcher finally calls it quits after the war ends, with the Union Senator agreeing to giving them all amnesty. Wales, he just. Can’t. Not until he is avenged. And apparently, all the gunfightins leadin up to that has given him quite the reputation. He’s like an 1800’s Snake Plissken except nobody thinks he’s dead, they just want the huge bounty for him.
Westerns are basically just dramas with horses, plus a few Indians to keep it spicy. Good mix here overall with not always being so grim, and some interesting additions to Josey’s journey over the course of his travels. For a lone outlaw, he sure does seem to accumulate a lot of riffraff along the way. That poor doggy, Josey’s aim with that chawspit is dead-on. With excellent roles by Chief Dan George as Lone Watie and John “Dean Wormer” Vernon as Fletcher, this is a solid entry to the genre.
