One of my favorite movie scenes is in the old spaghetti western, The Outlaw Josey Wales. It is a story about the post civil war era of the wild west expansion. There is a group of settlers way laid by a band of thieves who are marching their captives south to be sold off or something. As they forcing the group to walk behind a wagon train tied at the wrists, the group comes to a sudden halt as they see a lonely rider up ahead holding a white parley flag.
This is of course, Josey Wales and that is played by Clint Eastwood. Although he does not say much, he does spit to the side in a show of disrespect. This sparks a gun battle, which of course, Clint Eastwood is dead accurate and no one else has a hope of shooting straight. However, this is not my favorite scene. My favorite scene is just before the shooting begins. A Native American actor named Chief Dan George plays the fictional character of Lone Watie. He is travelling with this group of settlers. What is not said in this movie is that this is based loosely on the truth. The real character was names Stand Watie who was quite the interesting character. He was a Cherokee and part of the “Treaty Party” that ultimately led to what is now called the trail of tears. He escaped death many times and fought as a confederate soldier in the war.
Anyway, his history is not relevant to the scene in the movie other than a sense of irony that he is being carried off to be sold as a slave. He was a slave owner himself, I believe. Anyway, just before the shooting starts when the distant silhouette of Josey Wales can be seen from far off. He leans over to the old woman who he is huddled close to by the wagon and says, “Get ready, little lady. Hell is coming to breakfast.”
I do not know why I like that scene so much. I guess it is the feeling of pending action, of intense drama, of cold revenge. It is the thought that it is time for action, little talk. Time to get serious. So, that is my rallying cry right now. When I wake up tomorrow for my morning run – Hell is indeed coming for breakfast!!
Guy Reams
