tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post2256228259994995632..comments2024-01-31T18:37:07.424+00:00Comments on The Agitation of the Mind: The Outlaw Josey WalesNeil Fulwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14686296295535235988noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-21576491100014675202017-04-24T15:02:48.083+01:002017-04-24T15:02:48.083+01:00I love this movie. It's my favorite Western of...I love this movie. It's my favorite Western of all times. I have searched for analyses of the story, but haven't found much. One thing I noticed is occurrences that are repeated, only in a slightly different way. Antiphonal, in music. Certain things happen more than once, only in different contexts, or, first Josie says something significant, and later, someone else says the same thing back to him. One is Josie and Lone Watie sneaking up on each other. Another is one of them disappearing while the other one is speaking and does not notice. Granny says something racist about "Redskins," and then says to Lone Watie, "No offense." He replies, "None taken." He says something racist about, "We're gonna show those palefaces somethin'. No offense meant." Granny shouts, "None taken." The talk about having an edge. And it's funny. When they are dragged by the Comancheros, and Josie appears for an apparent parlay, Lone Watie says that the sun is behind Josie's back, when the sun is obviously behind the Comancheros' back. There are so many subtleties in the film, that I didn't notice 'til I'd watched it several times. Think I've now seen it five times, more than any other movie. Of all the characters, I like Lone Watie best. Been though lots of hardship, but never lost his sense of humor.<br /> Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09271334433484579335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-71227825693253856002010-05-31T10:47:19.566+01:002010-05-31T10:47:19.566+01:00Sam - thanks for letting me know; I should be able...Sam - thanks for letting me know; I should be able to order a copy on import without much fuss. Very tempted to get some of the other titles in the series, too.<br /><br />Bryce - thanks for the compliment. Glad you enjoyed the piece.Neil Fulwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14686296295535235988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-87772733850090374032010-05-31T06:02:42.857+01:002010-05-31T06:02:42.857+01:00Excellent piece Neil. This is perhaps pound for po...Excellent piece Neil. This is perhaps pound for pound my favorite Eastwood film and you did an excellent job summing up just what makes it so complex and rewarding. Its an action film with real soul.Bryce Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17040954580033470664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-20866940966381112462010-05-31T03:22:38.835+01:002010-05-31T03:22:38.835+01:00It just came back into print in the U.S.,I believe...It just came back into print in the U.S.,I believe, as part of a series of paperbacks of novels that inspired great western movies. The originals of The Searchers, The Man from Laramie, and Destry Rides Again are also available. If I remember right the Carter was originally called <i>Gone to Texas</i> but the new edition goes under the movie's title.Samuel Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934870299522899944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-9421418643575272522010-05-30T13:08:34.493+01:002010-05-30T13:08:34.493+01:00Thanks for commenting, fellas.
Dave - agreed: the...Thanks for commenting, fellas.<br /><br />Dave - agreed: the characters are incredibly rich and fully-rounded. I love the way Fletcher is a complex and humane character instead of just an all-purpose traitor. His moral outrage when he realises that his former unit has been turned over to the sadistic Captain Terrill is palpable. His final, low-key scene with Wales sets the seal on the film beautifully.<br /><br />Sam - I do believe you're right. I don't recall any of Eastwood's other westerns (self-directed or otherwise) drawing from existing source material. I've never read Forrest Carter's novel either (I don't even know if it's still in print) but it would be interesting to get hold of a copy for purposes of comparison.Neil Fulwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14686296295535235988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-81286342488946052132010-05-30T02:59:41.877+01:002010-05-30T02:59:41.877+01:00The big difference separating Wales from Eastwood&...The big difference separating Wales from Eastwood's other westerners is that, as far as I know, he's the only one to have an existence before Eastwood incarnated him, in Forrest Carter's novel. I've never read it, so I don't know if the memorable lines and characterizations can be found there. In any event, it's a great film about the unconscious rebuilding of community (I think of it that way rather than as family) in the wake of war.Samuel Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934870299522899944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14575780.post-69082693532835207152010-05-29T23:21:12.628+01:002010-05-29T23:21:12.628+01:00Definitely one of Eastwood's best and even tho...Definitely one of Eastwood's best and even though he was still a developing director at this point, his storytelling abilities are on full display. Every character in the story feels fleshed out and memorable. And as you rightly note, the number of memorable quotes and specific scenes are abundant.<br /><br />It's not quite on the same level as Unforgiven, but it comes very close... sitting with High Plains Drifter just below the excellence of Unforgiven. Wonderfully written piece here.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.com