Frank F Kling

I was thirteen when I watched this film at the theatre in 1976 and I never tire of watching it additional times. The film grabs your attention at the beginning and builds from there. Sure, there is violence as expected, but The Outlaw Josey Wales is much more. The character portrayals are brilliant, including bit players. For example, the portrayal of the rural Missouri grandmother is pure authenticity. Just listen to her raspy laugh and how she uses it to counter the arrogance of the Redleg commander. This is a must-see movie. Mr. Eastwood was careful to ensure the film was historically accurate. The film takes place during and after the US Civil War. Missouri Bushwackers (aka Missouri Ruffians) fought on behalf of the South. They employed their knowledge of Missouri geography to fight a guerilla war against regular US troops and militia groups, the most notorious of which was the Kansas Redlegs. After the murder of his family and the burning of his Missouri farm, like Frank and Jesse James in real life, Josey Wales wanted revenge. He teams up with one of the most successful groups of Missouri Bushwackers led by the legendary "Bloody Bill" Anderson. The Bushwackers tied down large numbers of Union soldiers. Knowing the Missouri countryside like the back of their hand and aided by the civilian rural population, the Bushwackers staged daring ambushes of Union Troops and garrisons, then hid in the bush. Union commanders were so frustrated by their inability to intercept the Missouri Ruffians that cash rewards were offered, and orders were given to take no prisoners. The Southern guerilla forces responded in kind. Understandably, the Civil War in Missouri was particularly vicious and bloody, and Clint Eastwood nailed its presentation.