It's been several years since I saw it, but I seem to recall it was pretty good. It portrayed the Ford bros. pretty well-sniveling little nobodies. After Northfield, the talent pool that Frank and Jesse had to chose from was pretty well used up. The old line, reliable members were either dead or in prison. Gang members were younger, less experienced, less trustworthy and in the case of the Fords, loyal only to $$$$, whether it be train loot or reward money.

 

Other than the typical Hollywood penchant for glamorizing killers and outlaws, I liked the movie for several reasons. The cinematography was very nice, with some unusual lenses used in some of the filming. The character development could have gone further. The movie touched on Jesse being fatalistic, but gave no reason why. Basically, it was good, but not deep enough for me. Still, better than the 1960s and 70s junk.

 

I thought it was bogus because it tried to establish the personalities of Bob and Charlie Ford, rather than making Jesse James the center. Who cares was all I could think watching it. Here is my review back when it was at the movies.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (DVD, 2008) Consumer Reviews | The Assassination of Jesse James: ... Yada Yada | Epinions.com

 

I thought it was bogus because it tried to establish the personalities of Bob and Charlie Ford, rather than making Jesse James the center. Who cares was all I could think watching it. Here is my review back when it was at the movies.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (DVD, 2008) Consumer Reviews | The Assassination of Jesse James: ... Yada Yada | Epinions.com

+1 - I agree -- Pretty much a waste of time. Lots of better Westerns out there.

 

Well i will concur that the movie was not about JJ.

that would be a different title; the life and times of..

..Its the assassination of JJ, which means somebody had to do the shooting. That its from the perspective and more about BF makes sense considering the title.

The watchability of the film is in its presentation, no doubt, and the characters being familiar faces helps since they are not completely developed.

As did WILD BILL, it took me awhile to warm to this film. Couple times through. And at first i didnt enjoy the uneasy feeling the film cultivates, but have come to enjoy it and see it as important to the film. The stress on the Fords becomes unbearable toward the end, with extreme paranoia, and worry, because James is said to be nearly clairvoyant, getting word somehow of any betrayal or plot against him.

 

It's not a Western.

And it is an excellent film. It portrays events probably closer to a reality than the popular shoot-em-up culture we're all accustomed to. I remember comments from fellas who read the book and said it was dead on as a historical treatment though obviously fictionalized.

But as an aside, I understand the "Colts" Jesse had in the film went home with Brad Pitt who really fell in love with them. They were made by USFA, a company that recently went defunct. The company's products were often hailed as being as good as or better than Colts and the color case hardening was done by Doug Turnbull. The prices were also on par with actual Colts.

 

I loved this movie. It's love it or hate it type of film. I bought it before I saw it. It was a great cast. That creepy kid played a great Bob Ford and I think Pitt as a sadistic, paranoid J.J. was brilliant. My favorite scene was where he's sitting at the Ford table just terrorizing them with intimidating mind games. It's a large movie as far as exterior scenery but has a very claustrophobic feel to it. That worked for me because J.J.s probably felt claustrophobic with his paranoia. The guns and holsters were perfect and authentic to the real guys that we know of. My only beef with it was J.J.s practically committing suicide but having that creep do it for him.

 

Just last night on the western channel I watched The last days of jesse and frank james starring kris kristophen and johnny cash. I liked it.
The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James (TV Movie 1986) - IMDb

 

Just last night on the western channel I watched The last days of jesse and frank james starring kris kristophen and johnny cash. I liked it.
The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James (TV Movie 1986) - IMDb

Me, too. This was a pretty good movie. Weird to see June Carter Cash playing Johnny Cash's mom. In this movie J.J. didn't like having to play a milktoast when in disguise in town. The real J.J. liked play acting and acting like a meek guy when ingognito and he even associated with unsuspecting lawmen.

 

I don't think I have seen this movie but I just wanted to mention that there is an excellent small museum on the site of the James family farm in Kearney, MO. My wife and had an opportunity to visit this museum last summer and really enjoyed it. Its not what I would call touristy and not super busy either. There is a gift shop where you purchase tickets. I think it was maybe $8 for adults. They show a film that tells the family history and events that led up to the civil war, etc. Then behind that is a small museum that has a remarkable amount of family belongings, clothing, guns, boots, everything really. The home itself is intact and in unrestored condition. Everything in it is from the James family. This is where the family lived, a beautiful spot in the Missouri countryside maybe 25 miles north of Kansas City on I-35. Check it out if you are in the area, you wont be sorry. www.jessejames.org

 

Looks like Mr. Ford used two different Revolvers to shoot Mr. James -

Best Scene: Assassination of Jesse James (HD) - YouTube

 

Looks like Mr. Ford used two different Revolvers to shoot Mr. James -

Best Scene: Assassination of Jesse James (HD) - YouTube

The brother with the Colt by the door doesn't shoot but just points it. But Bob Ford uses a S&W New Model #3 .44 to do the deed. That is the exact gun Bob Ford really used, though some might dispute it. I had a couple of those but because of stupidity I don't anymore.

 

awful. I could not finish watching this movie. pitt is over rated as an actor. I think it might be the worse jesse james movie of all time. oh well maybe it's just me.

 

See. Love it or hate it. I loved it. My brother -in-law watched it and couldn't believe he lasted through the whole thing. I bet you would have liked it better than "Jesse James Meets Frankensteins's Daughter" from 1966. Or maybe not. At least that would be accidentily funny.

 

Well im with you WB.

Watching it may make me feel like i have a stomach ache from eating a greasy pork sandwich, but its worth the watch.

As long as the viewer goes in knowing this is an examination of Bob Fords psyche, hero worship, and desire to "show his grit and intelligence" as he says, you might also come to enjoy it.