The Outlaw Josey Wales / Pale Rider

Rating:
Summary: Two classic westerns for the price of one
Review: "The Outlaw Josey Wales" remains one of Clint Eastwood's most underrated westerns. Behind "Unforgiven", it's it's his best, most emotionally complex western (although "High Plains Drifter" comes in as a close second). The transfer here is very good although I did notice a glitch that appears to be on the original film--a discoloration on the print at the very bottom about an hour in to the film. It's a minor flaw. There's also quite a bit of hair and dust during the montage of fighting between the Union and Confederates. The extras, while not as great as "Unforgiven", are pretty good as well. We get the theatrical trailers, a documentary on the making of the film as well as Eastwood's own introduction (although it doesn't replace the need for a commentary track).

"Pale Rider", Eastwood's return to the western genre after an absence of nearly a decade, isn't quite as original as "Wales". "Pale Rider" borrows from "Shane", "High Noon" and a couple of other classic westerns (including some of Leone's) creating a patchwork of various themes and scenes. The transfer looks very good although some scenes aren't as sharp as they should be. It's not a dual layer disc (we get both widescreen and full screen on each side of the disc). Theatrical trailers are included here but, again, it's sorely missing a commentary track from Eastwood. Four and 1/2 stars for "Wales", 3 for "Pale Rider".

Rating:
Summary: Two classic westerns for the price of one
Review: "The Outlaw Josey Wales" remains one of Clint Eastwood's most underrated westerns. Behind "Unforgiven", it's it's his best, most emotionally complex western (although "High Plains Drifter" comes in as a close second). The transfer here is very good although I did notice a glitch that appears to be on the original film--a discoloration on the print at the very bottom about an hour in to the film. It's a minor flaw. There's also quite a bit of hair and dust during the montage of fighting between the Union and Confederates. The extras, while not as great as "Unforgiven", are pretty good as well. We get the theatrical trailers, a documentary on the making of the film as well as Eastwood's own introduction (although it doesn't replace the need for a commentary track).

"Pale Rider", Eastwood's return to the western genre after an absence of nearly a decade, isn't quite as original as "Wales". "Pale Rider" borrows from "Shane", "High Noon" and a couple of other classic westerns (including some of Leone's) creating a patchwork of various themes and scenes. The transfer looks very good although some scenes aren't as sharp as they should be. It's not a dual layer disc (we get both widescreen and full screen on each side of the disc). Theatrical trailers are included here but, again, it's sorely missing a commentary track from Eastwood. Four and 1/2 stars for "Wales", 3 for "Pale Rider".