The Outlaw Josey Wales is a critically acclaimed 1976 Western film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Based on the novel Gone to Texas by Forrest Carter, the movie is celebrated for its compelling narrative, complex characters, and Eastwood's iconic performance as the title character.

Plot Summary
Set during and after the American Civil War, the story follows Josey Wales, a peaceful Missouri farmer whose family is brutally murdered by pro-Union guerrilla raiders known as "Redlegs." Consumed by grief and vengeance, Josey joins a Confederate guerrilla band to fight back. However, after the war ends, he refuses to surrender and becomes a fugitive pursued by Union forces.

Josey’s journey takes him across the American frontier, where he encounters a diverse cast of characters, including:

Lone Watie (Chief Dan George), a wise and humorous Cherokee elder.
Laura Lee (Sondra Locke), a young woman Josey helps rescue.
Ten Bears, a Native American chief with whom Josey negotiates peace.
Over time, Josey transitions from a vengeful loner to a protector of the outcasts and settlers he befriends, creating a surrogate family.

Themes
The film explores themes of:

Redemption: Josey’s transformation from a revenge-driven outlaw to a reluctant hero.
Reconciliation: The importance of finding peace, even in the aftermath of immense personal loss and conflict.
Individualism: A classic Western motif, emphasizing the lone hero’s struggle against oppressive systems.
Legacy
The Outlaw Josey Wales is considered one of Clint Eastwood’s greatest films and a high point in his career as both an actor and director.
The film was praised for its nuanced portrayal of Native American characters, particularly Chief Dan George’s performance as Lone Watie.
In 1996, the movie was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, recognizing its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.