The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Movie, 2007, The 2000s, Set in Missouri, 1881
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is #28 of 34 in release order and #25 of 34 in chronological order in the Westerns.
The story
Outlaw Jesse James is rumored to be the 'fastest gun in the West'. An eager recruit into James' notorious gang, Robert Ford eventually grows jealous of the famed outlaw and, when Robert and his brother sense an opportunity to kill James, their murderous action elevates their target to near mythical status.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford recap
In 1881, nineteen-year-old Robert Ford, who grew up reading dime novels about Jesse James, joins the gang for its last train robbery. Jesse, now living under false names in Missouri with his wife and children, is moody and suspicious, and starts killing members of his own gang he thinks may turn on him. Bob and his brother Charley stay with Jesse, but Jesse's contempt and the threats to the gang drive Bob to the other side. After Bob and Dick Liddil kill Jesse's cousin Wood Hite in a fight, Bob makes a secret deal with Missouri's governor to capture or kill Jesse for a reward and a pardon. Jesse takes Bob and Charley to his home in St. Joseph, apparently knowing what they plan. It came out the same year as 3:10 to Yuma, which is also in this list.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford ending explained
Bob Ford shoots Jesse James in the back of the head and becomes despised for it. Jesse takes off his gun belt and stands on a chair to dust a picture; Bob shoots him. The Fords restage the killing on stage hundreds of times, but the public calls Bob a coward. Charley, tormented, kills himself. Bob runs a saloon in Creede, Colorado, where Edward O'Kelley shoots him dead in 1892.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford isn't on a US streaming service right now. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes 76%
Where it fits
- Release order: after 3:10 to Yuma, before True Grit.
- Chronological order: after 3:10 to Yuma, before True Grit.
Cast
- Brad Pitt as Jesse James
- Casey Affleck as Robert Ford
- Sam Rockwell as Charley Ford
- Paul Schneider as Dick Liddil
- Jeremy Renner as Wood Hite
- Garret Dillahunt as Ed Miller
- Sam Shepard as Frank James
- Mary-Louise Parker as Zee James
- Zooey Deschanel as Dorothy Evans
- Ted Levine as Sheriff Timberlake
- Michael Parks as Henry Craig
- Alison Elliott as Martha Bolton
Directed by Andrew Dominik.