“Though I reflexively love Clint’s movies, it took me a while to appreciate Josie Wales. Now it is a favorite. Filled with great actors and characters all showing the true nature of Americans, good and bad.”
You forgot to mention some of the best dialogue in a movie...ever. :-)
You are correct. Like the “Godfather” you can mine the dialogue for gems and find them.
But what is particularly great is the human relationships that form among the little band that Josie brings together despite his druthers. Their dependence upon each other for survival causes them to overcome their ideological antagonisms. Mutual respect for each other as human beings overshadows the stereotypical belief systems we all labor under and without we would not survive. Rebs vs Unionists, Kansans vs Missourians, Indian vs White. All unite against the Evil trying to destroy them.