The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) - 4K Ultra HD Evaluation

      The Outlaw Josey Wales, 1976.

      Directed by Clint Eastwood.

      Featuring Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, John Vernon, Bill McKinney, Chief Dan George, Will Sampson, Royal Dano, Paula Trueman, John Russell, and Sam Bottoms.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A farmer avenges the murder of his family by Union soldiers during the Civil War, encountering several misfits along his journey.

      Clint Eastwood not only helped redefine the western genre in the 1960s with his collaboration with Sergio Leone on the Dollars trilogy, but he also reinvented it again in the 1970s with The Outlaw Josey Wales, produced by his own Malpaso Company in association with Warner Bros in 1976, despite it being less influential than his previous works.

      In the film, Eastwood portrays Josey Wales, a farmer from Missouri leading a peaceful life with his wife and son on a secluded farm. After Union soldiers destroy his home and murder his family, Wales joins a band of Confederate bushwhackers, commanded by 'Bloody Bill' Anderson (John Russell), with the intention of taking revenge against Unionists and their sympathizers.

      Following the end of the war, Captain Fletcher (John Vernon) convinces the group to surrender to the Union army in exchange for amnesty, but they are betrayed, leading to a massacre where only Fletcher, Wales, and the young Jamie (Sam Bottoms) survive. As they escape, Fletcher is tasked by the Union Senator to track them down, and as Wales attempts to flee to Texas, a bounty is placed on his head, enhancing his reputation across the South and attracting various companions to assist him on his quest.

      Although Josey Wales achieves a near-legendary status throughout the South, he is a markedly different character from those Eastwood portrayed in his spaghetti westerns. While still reserved and introspective, the audience learns more about him through his interactions with others he meets on his journey, particularly with the Native American character Lone Watie (Chief Dan George), who provides comic relief in a thoughtful manner, often diffusing Eastwood's growing anger and humanizing Wales, as opposed to the 'force of nature' image of The Man with No Name.

      There are also characters like Comanche chief Ten Bears (Will Sampson), who initially appears as an adversary to Wales but evolves into an ally, further showcasing Wales' humanity. John Vernon delivers a compelling performance as Captain Fletcher, who contrasts Ten Bears—starting off as a collaborator but later becoming an unwilling antagonist. This dynamic leads to plot elements that would be later echoed in Young Guns 2, enhancing the gripping nature of that film's 'true' story. Vernon’s commanding presence effectively balances Eastwood's performance, capturing the essence of a formidable character without resorting to excessive antics as seen in future roles like Animal House.

      This 4K restoration of The Outlaw Josey Wales features a sharper and more detailed image than ever, maintaining a natural look typical of a movie shot on 35mm film. Some digital adjustments have been made to the grain in select shots for clarity, but these alterations are minimal and do not detract from the viewing experience. Just like the recent 4K UHD release of Dirty Harry, this edition includes a Dolby Atmos audio track alongside the original mono, allowing viewers to choose their preferred experience. The Dolby mix is notably loud and intense, enhancing the impact of the action scenes, while the mono offers a more balanced experience for purists.

      The disc also contains an audio commentary by film historian Richard Schickel, along with archival featurettes discussing the film's production and Clint Eastwood’s westerns, which provide valuable insights. The Outlaw Josey Wales is not purely the violent revenge thriller it could have been in other hands. While it does feature thrilling moments, with Eastwood's nonchalant gunfire always exciting, the film is more a character study, allowing side characters to engage in their conflicts and enabling Josey Wales to act as a peacemaker despite his quest for vengeance. Eastwood remains captivating throughout—essential for a character like Josey Wales to gather so many allies—offering a fresh perspective compared to his roles from the previous decade, making The Outlaw Josey Wales a unique yet essential film.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward