This is one of the all time great "dark" westerns out there. Clint Eastwood is at his best as an actor (and I think he also directed this?) Anyway if you like westerns check this one out, great drama and action and he is awesome as Josey Wales in this.

It's as if the character Leone made him play was Josey Wales: A peaceful man turned vengeance who goes on a killing spree for those that massacred his family, but redeems himself in the company of others. All that was missing between the two characters is that one had a name and the other did not. Now, take the films in his later career like the fourth Dirty Harry movie Sudden Impact. First, Outlaw was when Eastwood and then girlfriend Sondra Locke appeared onscreen together. Sudden Impact was the last time they appeared together. Both directed by Eastwood and both revenge films. Josey took revenge on those that killed his wife and son. Locke's character takes revenge on those that raped her and her sister. Both movies have flashbacks of the violence. Then he made Unforgiven. The opening when we first see William Munny get back into being a gunslinger is like an echo of Josey Wales. The opening of both movies has Eastwood using a variety of guns for target practicing. Could William Munny be an aged version of Josey Wales, even though Josey lost his wife and son and William only lost his wife? The action scenes and main storyline are exciting, but the story wanders sometimes.

The Outlaw Josey Wales is directed by Clint Eastwood, who also stars as Wales. Joining Eastwood in the cast are Chief Dan George ( Little Big Man, Shadow of the Hawk). Sondra Locke ( The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, 6 films with partner Eastwood). Bill McKinney ( Deliverance, seven films with Eastwood, The Green Mile). John Vernon ( Point Blank, Topaz, Dirty Harry, Charley Varrick). Music is by Jerry Fielding and cinematography is by Bruce Surtees. Editing is by Ferris Webster. Josey Wales switches from a simple peasant farmer to stone-cold killer... His shooting becomes as precise as his tobacco spitting... The story is about a Missouri farmer whose family is murdered n how he turns into an outlaw to take revenge. All in all The Outlaw Josy Wales is perfect in all areas, moving, dramatic, thrilling, adventurous, humorous and full of action. Eastwood has surely out done himself and to be honest this is the best film of the seventies and a profound competitor for one of the greatest cinematic achievements in movie history. There are plenty of decently- made action sequences throughout the movie. The characters are also pretty well- developed and most of them are lovable. I like how its a kind of adventure story as well, taking place in several regions of the West. Very atmospheric n moody film. A bit long but doesn't hav dull moments. A ground breaking film for its time.

I grew up in a household where Clint Eastwood and John Wayne were the norm. I have seen countless westerns over the years, but I have to say that my all time favorite is The Outlaw Josey Whales. It is Eastwood at his bad ass best. No one is faster, tougher, smarter, or delivers better one liners than Mr. Josey Whales. "You boys gonna pull them pistols or whistle Dixie." Eastwood made a lot of great westerns that I wish had blu ray quality. But out of all of them, The Outlaw Josey Whales ranks number one. What a great supporting cast too. Chief Dan George is awesome, and it's John Vernon's best role. I can't believe it's been 40 years since it came out.