Review of The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) by Md H — 11 Aug 2011

Firstly what is shown on the poster doesn't resemble Clint Eastwood's posture at any part in the movie. That's the end of errors. Though it follows a default western story of revenge and a conventional narrative, the character Josey Wales is etched and executed so well it kind of adds a whole lot of freshness to the movie. There is plenty of subtle humor throughout, lively characters that are not too predictable and the period is depicted superbly.

It makes me feel Red Dead Redemption took this movie as a template for look and content (a character similar to Nigel West Dickens, the groceries and trade looks very similar, an exactly same looking machine gun and similarly mounted, revenge concept is similar), on which they have created a wonderful franchise.

The action sequences could have had a bit of polish as they are not too different from the old Sergio Leone way but a little under styled (which is good). It is a well acted, very entertaining western with a not so catchy but well utilized soundtrack. It's sad that this movie is never referred in the same vein as the other popular spaghetti westerns.