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

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.1/10
Reviews Counted: 167
Fresh: 126 | Rotten: 41

On the strength of its two lead performances Assassination is an expertly crafted period piece, and and insightful look at one of the enduring figures of American lore.

Average Rating: 6.6/10
Critic Reviews: 37
Fresh: 23 | Rotten: 14

On the strength of its two lead performances Assassination is an expertly crafted period piece, and and insightful look at one of the enduring figures of American lore.

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
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Movie Info

Brad Pitt stars as legendary Wild West outlaw Jesse James in Chopper director Andrew Dominik's cinematic rendering of the events that would eventually bring about the death of the man rumored be the "fastest gun in the West." An eager recruit into James' notorious gang, Robert Ford eventually grows jealous of the famed outlaw. When Robert and his brother Charlie sense an opportunity to kill James, their murderous action elevates their target to near mythical status. Casey Affleck stars as Robert

R, 2 hr. 39 min.

Western, Drama, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Andrew Dominik

Written By: Andrew Dominik

In Theaters: Oct 5, 2007 Wide

On DVD: Feb 5, 2008

Box Office:$3.8M

Warner Bros. Pictures

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Trailer & Photos

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Cast

Brad Pitt
Jesse James
Casey Affleck
Robert Ford
Sam Shepard
Frank James
Mary-Louise Parker
Zee James
Paul Schneider
Dick Liddil
Jeremy Renner
Wood Hite
Zooey Deschanel
Dorothy Evans
Sam Rockwell
Charley Ford
Garret Dillahunt
Ed Miller
Brooklyn Proulx
Mary James
Dustin Bollinger
Tim James
Joel McNichol
Express Manager
James DeFelice
Baggagemaster
J.C. Roberts
Engineer
Darrell Orydzuk
Ukranian Train Passenge...
Jonathan Erich Drachenber...
Young Train Passenger
Torben S. Hansen
Danish Train Passenger
Alison Elliott
Martha Bolton
Lauren Calvert
Ida
Kailin See
Sarah Hite
Tom Aldredge
Major George Hite
Jesse Frechette
Albert Ford
Pat Healy
Wilbur Ford
Michael Parks
Henry Craig
Ted Levine
Sheriff Timberlake
Joel Duncan
Deputy
James Carville
Governor Crittenden
Stephanie Wahlstrom
Store Customer
Adam Arlukiewicz
Newsboy
Ian Ferrier
Photographer
Michael Rogers
Onlooker at Jesse's Dea...
Calvin Bliid
Small Boy at Jesse's De...
Sarah Lind
Bob's Girlfriend
Nick Cave
Bowery Saloon Singer
Matthew Walker
Bowery Saloonkeeper
Michael Copeman
Edward O'Kelly
Laryssa Yanchak
Ella Mae Waterson
Hugh Ross
Narrator
Barbara Kozicki
Robert Duvall
Molly Parker

Critic Reviews for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

All Critics (169) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (132) | Rotten (42) | DVD (20)

Writer-director Andrew Dominik takes his time with the story, but his languorous pacing allows tension to build -- and permits the actors, Affleck in particular, to add nuance and depth to characters who'll seem familiar only at first glance.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: NPR.org

| Comment

Bob Mondello

NPR.org

Top Critic

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is the story...of the moment in America when myth was murdered by mere celebrity and we were left, perhaps forever, with only the latter's meager consolations.

September 18, 2008 Full Review Source: New Republic

| Comment

Christopher Orr

New Republic

Top Critic

Moseying along for 160 minutes, this revisionist western by writer-director Andrew Dominik makes a wan attempt to present the Jesse James legend as the dawn of celebrity culture in America.

January 4, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment (1)

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Awesome splendor and a striking essay on celebrity reward those who brave the 2 1/2-hour run time.

October 20, 2007 Full Review Source: Denver Post

| Comment

Lisa Kennedy

Denver Post

Top Critic

It's a view of the West beyond the myth that's worth enduring, if not relishing.

October 18, 2007 Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel

| Comment

Roger Moore

Orlando Sentinel

Top Critic

The one thing you're not supposed to do during a Western is doze off.

October 12, 2007 Full Review Source: Detroit News

| Comments (2)

Tom Long

Detroit News

Top Critic

Examining the transient nature of memories and mythmaking, "Coward" understands there are as many crooked legacies in high definition, as there were 130 years ago in dog-eared dime-store paperbacks and ghoulish stage productions.

September 25, 2010 Full Review Source: Suite101.com

| Comment

Nick Rogers

Suite101.com

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is an engrossing and hypnotic western that places a heavy emphasis on atmosphere, character and reality.

July 6, 2010 Full Review Source: Matt's Movie Reviews

| Comment

Matthew Pejkovic

Matt's Movie Reviews

Cinematic aerophagia

August 27, 2009 Full Review Source: CinePassion

| Comment

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

ovaj film zahtijeva mnogo strpljenja od prosje%u010Dnog gledatelja

July 15, 2009 Full Review Source: Index.hr

| Comment

Dragan Antulov

Index.hr

As the coward Robert Ford, Casey Affleck is a revelation. Nothing you have seen from him will prepare you for his brilliant work as the childlike young man who goes on to be the downfall of his hero.

December 27, 2008 Full Review Source: JoBlo's Movie Emporium

| Comment

JimmyO

JoBlo's Movie Emporium

Stylized like a Ken Burns documentary.

October 2, 2008 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Pitt stars in beautiful -- but brutal -- Western.

July 9, 2008 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Cynthia Fuchs

Common Sense Media

This film is far too long but the central relationship of James and Ford is fascinating.

June 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Eye for Film

| Comment

Amber Wilkinson

Eye for Film

As of October 1st 2007, this is officially the best film I have seen all year.

May 24, 2008 Full Review Source: WJFK-FM (CBS Radio)

| Comment

Kevin McCarthy

WJFK-FM (CBS Radio)

Jesse James is that rarest of birds -- an art film with mass appeal.

May 1, 2008 Full Review Source: MSNBC

| Comment

Alonso Duralde

MSNBC

(...) es tan imponente la fotograf�a de Roger Deakins que es casi un protagonista m�s; (...) es infrecuente ver una pel�cula de Hollywood en la que la luz, las sombras y el color adquieran una cualidad tan expresiva como en este caso.

April 29, 2008 Full Review Source: Uruguay Total

| Comment

Enrique Buchichio

Uruguay Total

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

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The build up in this movie is necessary, but disappointing. There is a lot of fluff in the beginning of this film, but when it hits its stride it becomes great. The climax of this movie is unforgettable and Casey Affleck's performance is terrific. These two aspects elevate this movie to another level.

April 5, 2012

Sanjay Rema

Super Reviewer

Who was truly notorious, Jesse James or Robert Ford? A visceral experience that has a completely different feel than any other Western. Brad Pitt excells as Jesse James, but Casey Affleck is whom really shines. The whole film is art, and a thinking movie-goer will enjoy.

January 6, 2012

Nathan Hall

Super Reviewer

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Quotes

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1. Jesse James: It seems to me if you have something to confess, you outta be right and you spit it out now.
– Submitted by Brandon K (2 months ago)
1. Charley Ford: You think it's all made up don't yea, think it's all yarns and newspaper stories.
2. Robert Ford: He's just a human being.
– Submitted by Brandon K (2 months ago)
1. Robert Ford: I've been a nobody all my life, and I won't give it this one opportunity and you can bet your life on that you just go on.
– Submitted by Brandon K (2 months ago)
1. Jesse James: You're giving me signs, to make me wonder maybe you're minds been changed about me.
– Submitted by Kevin H (3 months ago)
1. Dick Liddil: No, poetry doesn't work with whores.
– Submitted by Alonso A (4 months ago)

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