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The True Story of Jesse James (1957)

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Average Rating: 6.6/10
Reviews Counted: 7
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 285

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Movie Info

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

Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.

Western, Classics

Directed By: Nicholas Ray

In Theaters: Feb 1, 1957 Wide

On DVD: Mar 6, 2007

Cast

Robert Wagner
Jesse James
Jeffrey Hunter
Frank James
Hope Lange
Zee
Agnes Moorehead
Mrs. Samuel
Alan Hale Jr.
Cole Younger
John Carradine
Rev. Jethro Bailey
Rachel Stephens
Anne
Biff Elliot
Jim Younger
Frank Overton
Maj. Cobb
Barry Atwater
Attorney Walker
Marian Seldes
Rowina Cobb
Chubby Johnson
Askew
Frank Gorshin
Charley
Carl Thayler
Robby
John Doucette
Hillstrom
Robert Adler
Sheriff Trump
Clancy Cooper
Sheriff Yoe
Sumner Williams
Bill Stiles
Tom Greenway
Deputy Leo
Jason Wingreen
Peter
Aaron Saxon
Wiley
Anthony Ray
Bob Younger
Clegg Hoyt
Tucker
Thomas Pittman
Hughie
Joe Di Reda
Bill Eyan
Alan Baxter
Remington
Barney Phillips
Dr. Samuel
Mike Steen
Deputy Ed

Critic Reviews for The True Story of Jesse James

All Critics (7) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (1)

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.

October 23, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Ray is one of the great natural filmmakers, a master of moral ambiguity and jittery mise-en-scene.

October 23, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

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.

October 23, 2007 Full Review Source: Variety

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Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

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.

August 30, 2009 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Obviously the pair have a hard act to follow, but they manage it perfectly well, with Hunter particularly good in the brotherly sidekick role.

October 23, 2007 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

A fine Western, the only regret being Robert Wagner. Imagining Dean in the central role makes it one of the great might-have-beens.

October 23, 2007 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Time Out

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.

October 23, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

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Audience Reviews for The True Story of Jesse James

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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.

June 30, 2008