The True Story of Jesse James (1957)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
35% of users liked it
(287 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Nicholas Ray
Genres: Western, Classics

In Theaters: Feb 1, 1957 Wide
On DVD: Mar 6, 2007

Critic Reviews

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.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Ray is one of the great natural filmmakers, a master of moral ambiguity and jittery mise-en-scene.
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.
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.
, Film4
Obviously the pair have a hard act to follow, but they manage it perfectly well, with Hunter particularly good in the brotherly sidekick role.
, 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.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Ray's pacing builds some good excitement, and as a western alone the film works nicely. But there are deeper things going on, some not entirely and successfully worked out.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Average western with a haircut performance by Robert Wagner and a rather bland one by Jeffrey Hunter. Even the usually excellent Hope Lange and Agnes Moorehead are given very little to work with here.
Ken S

The performances and direction feel totally phoned in. The few nice moments it does have are outweighed by a really lack luster effort.
Stephen M

A remake of Henry King's "Jesse James" which introduces the Younger Brothers, ups Jesse's Robin Hood-like philanthropy and blames treacherous Yankees, rather than the railroad, for turning a good man into an outlaw. Some scenes are almost identical to the earlier… More
A remake of Henry King's "Jesse James" which introduces the Younger Brothers, ups Jesse's Robin Hood-like philanthropy and blames treacherous Yankees, rather than the railroad, for turning a good man into an outlaw. Some scenes are almost identical to the earlier film but the narrative is told in flashbacks this time around. John Carradine, who originally played Robert Ford, returns as a preacher in this, Nicholas Ray's version. Despite wooden acting throughout, this is a solid, good-looking western. I especially liked the idea of the souvenir-hunters taking trophies from the 'Howard' home after Jesse's death.

Cast

            Robert Wagner as Jesse James

            Jeffrey Hunter as Frank James

            Hope Lange as Zee

            Agnes Moorehead as Mrs. Samuel

            Alan Hale Jr. as Cole Younger

            John Carradine as Rev. Jethro Bailey

            Rachel Stephens as Anne

            Biff Elliot as Jim Younger

            Frank Overton as Maj. Cobb

            Barry Atwater as Attorney Walker

            Marian Seldes as Rowina Cobb

            Chubby Johnson as Askew

            Frank Gorshin as Charley

            Carl Thayler as Robby

            John Doucette as Hillstrom

            Robert Adler as Sheriff Trump

            Clancy Cooper as Sheriff Yoe

            Sumner Williams as Bill Stiles

            Tom Greenway as Deputy Leo

            Jason Wingreen as Peter

            Aaron Saxon as Wiley

            Anthony Ray as Bob Younger

            Clegg Hoyt as Tucker

            Thomas Pittman as Hughie

            Joe Di Reda as Bill Eyan

            Alan Baxter as Remington

            Barney Phillips as Dr. Samuel

            Mike Steen as Deputy Ed
See full cast