The True Story of Jesse James (1957)
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86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
39% of users liked it
(296 ratings)
Actually, this retelling of the life of outlaw Jesse James is only as true as its predecessor, the highly fanciful 1939 Tyrone Power-Henry Fonda starrer Jesse James. Generous chunks of stock footage from the earlier film are reused here, albeit reframed to accommodate the CinemaScope process. Robert… More Actually, this retelling of the life of outlaw Jesse James is only as true as its predecessor, the highly fanciful 1939 Tyrone Power-Henry Fonda starrer Jesse James. Generous chunks of stock footage from the earlier film are reused here, albeit reframed to accommodate the CinemaScope process. Robert Wagner makes an interesting James, though he is upstaged throughout by Jeffrey Hunter as his brother Frank. Adhering to the Canon, the film insists that the James boys were forced into a life of crime by greedy railroad men -- hence, their ongoing vendetta against trains. Director Nicholas Ray adds a few psychological nuances not found in the more prosaic 1939 film. John Carradine, who played "dirty little coward" Bob Ford in the original Jesse James, appears in the remake as Rev. Jethro Bailey. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Nicholas Ray
- Genres
- Western, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Feb 1, 1957 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Though hardly Nicholas Ray's sturdiest effort, this 1957 'Scope western began as one of his more ambitious conceptions, with an unorthodox narrative structure and deliberately theatrical sets.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Ray is one of the great natural filmmakers, a master of moral ambiguity and jittery mise-en-scene.
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, Time Out
A fine Western, the only regret being Robert Wagner. Imagining Dean in the central role makes it one of the great might-have-beens.
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Variety Staff, Variety
On celluloid Jesse James has had more lives than a cat, and The True Story of Jesse James suggests it's time screenwriters let him roll over and play dead for real and reel.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
One of Nicholas Ray's weaker films, this mythical Western displays his thematic concern with protagonists that are outsiders but suffers from the performances of pretty boys Robert Wagner and Jeffrey Hunter.
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Cast
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Robert Wagner
as Jesse James
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Jeffrey Hunter
as Frank James
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Hope Lange
as Zee
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Agnes Moorehead
as Mrs. Samuel
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Alan Hale Jr.
as Cole Younger
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John Carradine
as Rev. Jethro Bailey
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Rachel Stephens
as Anne
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Biff Elliot
as Jim Younger
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Frank Overton
as Maj. Cobb
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Barry Atwater
as Attorney Walker
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Marian Seldes
as Rowina Cobb
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Chubby Johnson
as Askew
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Frank Gorshin
as Charley
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Carl Thayler
as Robby
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John Doucette
as Hillstrom
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Robert Adler
as Sheriff Trump
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Clancy Cooper
as Sheriff Yoe
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Sumner Williams
as Bill Stiles
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Tom Greenway
as Deputy Leo
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Jason Wingreen
as Peter
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Aaron Saxon
as Wiley
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Anthony Ray
as Bob Younger
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Clegg Hoyt
as Tucker
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Thomas Pittman
as Hughie
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Joe Di Reda
as Bill Eyan
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Alan Baxter
as Remington
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Barney Phillips
as Dr. Samuel
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Mike Steen
as Deputy Ed
