Clint Eastwood seized the directorial reins from Phil Kaufman and fashioned this tough, sprawling post-Civil War western epic into something approaching a personal testament. The tale of a wronged farmer bent on revenge consists more of a series of vignettes and lacks the tightness of structure that so distinguishes the director's later Unforgiven. But there's much strength and power to be derived from the iconographic value of Eastwood the star, and through Josey's eyes we begin to understand the importance of the community in American life. Jerry Fielding's fine score and Chief Dan George's drily humorous Lone Watie are also major pluses.

After avenging his family's brutal murder, Wales is pursued by a pack of soldiers. He prefers to travel alone, but ragtag outcasts are drawn to him - and Wales can't bring himself to leave them unprotected.