According to Clint Eastwood, this is his favorite Western for the public: “When people talk to me on the street, it’s about this movie.”

Clint Eastwood is categorical: if he trusts the public to stop him from talking about his cinema, his favorite western for the public is undoubtedly Josie Wells, Outlaw. Released in 1976, it is written and directed by the actor and tells the story of Welles’ revenge and pursuit of Captain Terrill, who killed his wife and child.

“He still holds on”

Clint Eastwood, with his inestimable foresight and ever-too-modest, announced Empire In 2017 (M The movies start):

When people stop me on the street, it’s often about Josie Wells. They seem to like this movie. I rented it a while ago, it is still standing.

And this is an understatement! Because if Josey Wales, Outlaw is not the most famous western Clint Eastwood – Not even the most televised – this is one of his greatest directorial films. Rated 3.8 out of 5 on AlloCiné, this revenge story actually hides a much deeper subtext:

“You have to be able to read the movies, I think, read what you see and it was made in the Vietnam era. I looked at it as an allegory, but it was just like the Civil War, one of the bloodiest and bloodiest. Influenced American history because it was about a disillusioned man among Americans.

Exclusion, community strength, and the “ruthless” aspect of the American West are also themes of the film, which takes an opposite view from the reactionary image often associated with Eastwood.

“Eastwood’s Rule”

If Jose Wells is what Eastwood originally envisioned, it comes at the cost of ousting original director Philip Kaufman (of Jesse James legend). After the removal, Clint immediately offered to take his place and watch the movie until the end.

For this, the Directors Guild of America still fined Eastwood (as well as studio Warner) $60,000 for violating the guild’s rules. After this case, the texts officially stated that an actor or producer could not re-direct a film after the original director was fired. It’s called the Eastwood Rule.