The Outlaw Josey Wales (4K UHD) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: April 29, 2025
Rating: PG
Film: 4.5/5
 
Plot
Academy Award winner Clint Eastwood stars in and directs this fast-paced Western about the fight for vengeance by a Missouri farmer whose family is murdered in the last days of the United States' Civil War.
 
My Thoughts
Clint Eastwood’s dual talents as both actor and director are on full display in this 1976 Western. The film follows Josey Wales, a Missouri farmer turned vengeful outlaw after his family is brutally murdered during the Civil War. Eastwood’s stoic yet deeply human portrayal anchors the story, blending rugged intensity with moments of quiet vulnerability. The sweeping cinematography captures the untamed beauty of the American frontier, while the narrative weaves a compelling tale of survival, redemption, and unlikely alliances. It’s a slow-burn epic that rewards patience with its rich character development and satisfying payoff.
 
What sets "The Outlaw Josey Wales" apart from typical Westerns is its nuanced take on conflict and community. As Josey flees bounty hunters and builds a ragtag family of outcasts with standout performances from Chief Dan George and Sondra Locke. The dialogue is sharp and often laced with dry humor, while the action sequences deliver gritty, grounded thrills. Eastwood’s direction shines in the way he balances the film’s darker tones with a hopeful undercurrent, making it not just a revenge story, but a poignant reflection on finding peace in a fractured world.
 
The press release doesn’t go into details about what type of restoration the film underwent, but this blows away the 2011 Blu-ray release that I own. Cinematographer Bruce Surtees captures the beautiful vistas of the American West and the 4K image is mesmerizing and lifelike. The transfer is very filmlike with intact grain and plenty of detail. While it may not be marketed as an 8K capture, it sure looks the part.
 
Like Dirty Harry, the film boast both the original theatrical mix (DTS-HD 2.0 mono) and a newly minted Atmos track. I actually preferred the Atmos on this one due to the expanded nature of the sound field, but that’s not to say the original mix sounds bad, because it doesn’t. There’s plenty of dynamics and dialog is always intelligible regardless of which track you choose.
 
 
Video 9.5/10
 
Audio 9.5/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
 
Special Features:

• Audio Commentary
• An Outlaw and an Antihero (New)
• The Cinematography of an Outlaw: Crafting Josey Wales (New)
• Clint Eastwood’s West
• Eastwood in Action
• Hell Hath No Fury: The Making of The Outlaw Josey Wales
• Reinventing Westerns
• 4K UHD + Digital Code

 

 
 
Conclusion
While this was an early directorial effort by Eastwood, it showed he had the chops to be both the star in front of the camera as well as behind it. Over the next 40+ years he would go on to become one of the best filmmakers in the world and has some awards to prove it. Revisiting this film was a blast and I’m glad to see it gets the A-list treatment it deserves on 4K. Recommended for fans.
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling

[Craig Peer]

I have this ordered - thanks for the teaser!

[David Vaughn]

I have this ordered - thanks for the teaser!

You're welcome!