The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

September 20, 2007 (CA) • Drama, Western • 160m

Overview

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.

Director

Andrew Dominik

Writers

Ron Hansen, Andrew Dominik

Top Billed

Brad Pitt

Keywords

media killing missouri admiration hold-up robbery jesse james cowardliness family coward revisionist western

Where to watch

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Top Billed Cast

Brad Pitt

Jesse James

Casey Affleck

Robert Ford

Sam Rockwell

Charley Ford

Paul Schneider

Dick Liddil

Jeremy Renner

Wood Hite

Garret Dillahunt

Ed Miller

Sam Shepard

Frank James

Mary-Louise Parker

Zee James

Zooey Deschanel

Dorothy Evans

Ted Levine

Sheriff Timberlake

Michael Parks

Henry Craig

Alison Elliott

Martha Bolton

James Carville

Governor Crittenden

Tom Aldredge

Major George Hite

Hugh Ross

Narrator (voice)

Brooklynn Proulx

Mary James

Dustin Bollinger

Tim James

Joel McNichol

Express Messenger

James Defelice

Baggagemaster

J.C. Roberts

Engineer

Darrell Orydzuk

Ukrainian Train Passenger

Jonathan Erich Drachenberg

Young Train Passenger

Torben S. Hansen

Danish Train Passenger

Lauren Calvert

Ida

Kailin See

Sarah Hite

Jesse Frechette

Albert Ford

Pat Healy

Wilbur Ford

Joel Duncan

Deputy

Stephanie Wahlstrom

Store Customer

Adam Arlukiewicz

Newsboy

Ian Ferrier

Photographer

Michael J Rogers

Onlooker at Jesse's Death

Calvin Bliid

Small Boy at Jesse's Death

Sarah Lind

Bob's Girlfriend

Nick Cave

Bowery Saloon Singer

Matthew Walker

Bowery Saloonkeeper

Michael Copeman

Edward O'Kelly

Laryssa Yanchak

Ella Mae Waterson

Anthony Harrison

Marshal Craig (uncredited)

Crew

Lisa Ellzey

Executive Producer

Andrew Dominik

Director

Ridley Scott

Producer

Ron Hansen

Novel

Jules Daly

Producer

Brad Pitt

Producer

Andrew Dominik

Screenplay

Patricia Norris

Set Designer

David Valdes

Producer

Roger Deakins

Director of Photography

Dede Gardner

Producer

Curtiss Clayton

Editor

Dylan Tichenor

Editor

Andrew Bock

First Assistant Sound Editor

Mark Pappas

Foley Editor

Richard King

Sound Designer

Richard King

Supervising Sound Editor

Christopher S. Aud

Sound Designer

Allen Hartz

Dialogue Editor

Kimberly Harris

ADR Editor

Brent Woolsey

Stunt Coordinator

Michael Magill

Dialogue Editor

William H. Burton Sr.

Stunt Coordinator

Doug Hemphill

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Michael Dressel

Foley Editor

Leslie Shatz

Sound Designer

Michael Babcock

Sound Effects Editor

Christopher Flick

Foley Supervisor

Linda Yeaney

First Assistant Sound Editor

Ron Bartlett

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

Michael W. Mitchell

Sound Effects Editor

Will Kaplan

Music Editor

Martin Keough

Chief Lighting Technician

Bruce Hamme

Dolly Grip

Randy K. Singer

Foley Mixer

John P. Fasal

ADR Mixer

Jonathan Klein

Foley Editor

Jonathan Karp

Music Editor

Rick D. Schmidt

Key Grip

Jacob Riehle

Assistant Sound Editor

Gordon Schmidt

Rigging Gaffer

Robin Harlan

Foley Artist

Sarah Monat

Foley Artist

Mo Henry

Negative Cutter

Hugo Weng

Dialogue Editor

Mike Gould

Assistant Chief Lighting Technician

Bret Edge

Stunts

Guy Bews

Stunts

Jordan Dodds

Stunts

Colt Cosgrave

Stunts

Chad Cosgrave

Stunts

Tom Eirikson

Stunts

Joe Dodds

Stunts

Lyle W. Edge

Stunts

Jim Finkbeiner

Stunts

Wacey Finkbeiner

Stunts

Jason Glass

Stunts

John Scott

Stunts

Ron Hansen

Associate Producer

Kimberley Zaharko

Assistant Art Director

Jodi Terhoch

Stunts

Russ Wideman

Stunts

Terrance Leigh

Stunts

Jim Randle

Stunts

Greg Schlosser

Stunts

Tom Glass

Stunts

Dave Hospes

Stunts

Sean Skene

Stunts

Kristy Glass-Suitor

Stunts

Rick Skene

Stunts

Jesse Thomson

Stunts

Jackie Bagley

Assistant Art Director

Reg Glass

Stunts

Randy Hambling

Stunts

Jacqueline Loewen

Stunts

Blake Schlosser

Stunts

Dennis Hambling

Stunts

Shane Pollitt

Stunts

Corry Glass

Stunts

Alex Green

Stunts

Deb Green

Locale Casting Director

Dale Gibson

Stunts

Troy Sizemore

Art Direction

Jackie Lind

Locale Casting Director

Michael Langlois

Stunts

Kyle Thomson

Stunts

Janice Blackie-Goodine

Set Decoration

Sean Blackie

Assistant Set Decoration

Roger Deakins

"A" Camera Operator

Alfred A. Arndt

Construction Coordinator

Andy Harris

First Assistant "A" Camera

David Lourie

Second Assistant "A" Camera

Nancy Joy McDonald

Script Supervisor

John Paul Horstmann

Assistant Editor

Shelly Goldsack

Assistant Property Master

Jean Ann Black

Makeup Artist

Rochelle Pomerleau

Makeup Artist

James Paradis

Special Effects Supervisor

Hugh Ross

First Assistant Editor

Marie Gaerlan

Assistant Editor

Lizzie McGovern

Assistant Costume Designer

Chris Speers

Best Boy Grip

Dean Goodine

Property Master

Christien Tinsley

Special Effects Makeup Artist

Chris Harrison-Glimsdale

Hairstylist

Jill Christensen

Production Office Coordinator

Damon Moreau

Steadicam Operator

David Dresher

Post Production Supervisor

Bruce Carwardine

Production Sound Mixer

Markus Wade

Boom Operator

Geo Major

Boom Operator

Peter McNulty

Associate Editor

Kelly Fraser

Costume Supervisor

Johnny Jones

Assistant Property Master

Iloe Flewelling

Key Hair Stylist

Susan Strembitsky

Second Assistant "A" Camera

Maurice Routly

Special Effects Coordinator

Kimberly French

Still Photographer

Alex Hepburn

Assistant Editor

Gail Kennedy

Makeup Department Head

Rob Doak

Video Assist Operator

Raluca Sheridan

Assistant Accountant

Robert Hilton

Location Manager

Lauren Bass

Casting Associate

David Valdes

Unit Production Manager

Jay St. Louis

Assistant Location Manager

Nicole Florian

Production Office Coordinator

Carol Rothel

Assistant Accountant

Stuart Becker

Assistant Location Manager

Janet Powers

Extras Casting

Dorothy Precious

Production Accountant

Rino Pace

Location Manager

Lee Anne Muldoon

Unit Publicist

Louise Mackiewicz

Extras Casting

Lisa Jemus

Third Assistant Director

Craig Humphries

Graphic Designer

Elizabeth Shoai

Casting Assistant

Grant Van Der Slagt

Set Designer

Marlis Wilson

Set Dresser

Terry Haggar

Color Timer

Sophie Leclerc

Visual Effects Producer

Gordon White

Set Designer

Ray Breckenridge

Transportation Co-Captain

Michael Kennedy

Digital Intermediate Producer

Stacey Gooch

Set Dresser

Dean Robinson

Transportation Captain

Devon Miller

Digital Intermediate Editor

Marilyn Humphries

Set Designer

Al Berg

Storyboard Artist

Jay Benoliel

Set Dresser

James Leake

Title Designer

Brad Milburn

Set Designer

Michael Madden

Set Designer

Amber Humphries

Set Dresser

Jack Lowen

Set Dresser

Terry Gunvordahl

Set Designer

Wendy Dobson

Art Department Coordinator

Michael Hatzer

Digital Intermediate Colorist

Laura Cuthill

Set Dresser

Coleman Robinson

Transportation Coordinator

Brandy Hagborg

Location Coordinator

Richard Hoover

Production Design

Patricia Norris

Production Design

Warren Ellis

Original Music Composer

Nick Cave

Original Music Composer

Mali Finn

Casting

Karen Sowiak

Second Assistant Director

Ben Waisbren

Executive Producer

Patricia Norris

Costume Design

Brad Grey

Executive Producer

Brian Leslie Parker

Unit Production Manager

Scott Robertson

First Assistant Director

Tony Scott

Executive Producer

Hamilton Sterling

Sound Effects Editor

Reviews

John Chard

⭐ 10/10

September 6, 2014

Perfection.

I think I will just come right out and say it from the off, this is a masterpiece, a truly spell binding, mesmerising tour de force that seeps class from every pore. I have often found myself cringing and turning my back on those who use in film debate the tired old defence of "it's not for everyone", but here I find I have no choice because this picture is purely for those enamoured with poetic beauty and precision film making at its highest. Those in search of an all action gun toting western need not apply, in fact those merely after popcorn fodder to while away an evening viewing should steer well clear. Andrew Dominik's second directorial effort is a character and dialogue driven piece of work, its thematic heart swirling with intelligence and elegiac beauty.

The story centrers around the final days of notorious outlaw Jesse James, and how one of his young disciples came to murder him on April 3rd 1882. Using Ron Hansen's novel as its source, it also fills in the gaps as to what became of the murderer Robert Ford as regards the subsequent aftermath of killing the infamous Jesse James. The film is dealing with issues all to prevalent in modern day society, we are witnessing perhaps the first instance of celebrity status gone berserker, we see how the press glamorise the nasty piece of work that was Jesse James, turning him into some sort of quintessential noble outlaw. We observe a stalking menace yearning to be like his hero, a young and impressionable fellow who's hurtling towards infamy completely oblivious of the pitfalls and irony of it all.

Structually the film is perfect, and to me the film defines the old saying of art on the silver screen. The performances of the lead actors are incredible, Brad Pitt gives a career high as Jesse James, all teetering villainy yet perfectly befitting the prince charming outlaw persona so gleefully built up by the press. Sam Rockwell is Charley Ford, and here he proves that movie big wigs really need to start giving the guy some more dramatic roles to get his teeth in to. Yet as good as Pitt & Rockwell are, both men are left trailing in the wake of Casey Affleck's performance as Robert Ford, childish emotion fused with flecks of dark undercurrents as Affleck layers a perfect show. How the academy chose to ignore this performance should be seen as an act of treason against American cinema.

Few films have left me open mouthed in admiration at the quality on show, but shot after shot, frame after frame, this really is as gorgeous as it comes. Roger Deakins photography sublimely pleasing the eyes at every edit, be it lush rolling hills cloaked in snow, or shadowy figures appearing like ghosts from locomotive smoke, with Deakins firmly cementing his reputation as a master of his craft. The score from Nick Cave & Warren Ellis perfectly captures the ambiance and texture of the piece, with Cave himself bagging a cameo performance as a bar room busker. It's incredible to think that this is only director Andrew Dominik's second feature film, following on from the hugely enjoyable Chopper in 2000, it is now evident that New Zealand can lay claim to producing a talent that if all goes to plan, will go on to become a director to rank up with the best of them.

As it is, and just right now, The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford should be filed along side Vertigo as a member of that club that only admits the greatest American films of all time, and that be even if it was directed by a Kiwi, wink wink America.

Masterpiece. 10/10

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