Director: Andrew Dominik Cinematographer: Roger Deakins
An adaptation of Ron Hansen’s 1983 novel of the same name, Dominik’s ambitious revisionist western dramatises the relationship between James and Ford through the series of events that led up to the shooting of the legendary outlaw. Edited by Dominik to be “a dark, contemplative examination of fame and infamy,” the studio was initially opposed to his approach as they wanted more action. The writer/director had his way, backed by producers Brad Pitt and Ridley Scott. The film is full of fine performances, particularly by Pitt, who fits the bill as the charismatic and dangerous James but is just about overshadowed by an outstanding portrayal of Robert Ford by Casey Affleck. Along with the two brilliant lead performances, it’s the stunning visuals helped by Roger Deakins’s inventive cinematographic techniques, an emotive soundtrack from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis and a bold script from Dominik that come together to create a stylish mood piece with an epic sweep that explores the casual violence and harsh loneliness of the 19th century American west and the links between criminality and fame.
Blu-ray
DVD
Appaloosa/The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford – Double Feature DVD
Wyatt Earp/ The Assassination of Jesse James (BD) (DBFE) [Blu-ray]
Soundtrack
Modern Western 3-Movie Collection – Young Gun s(Special Edition), Appaloosa & The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford 3-DVD Bundle
Lists:
- No. 92 on The Pendragon Society’s 1000 Greatest Films of All-Time (2018)
- No. 10 on The Pendragon Society’s 100 Greatest Films 2000-2009 (2010)
CAST
- Brad Pitt as Jesse James
- Casey Affleck as Robert Ford
- Sam Shepard as Frank James
- Jeremy Renner as Wood Hite
- Sam Rockwell as Charley Ford
- Paul Schneider as Dick Liddil
- Garret Dillahunt as Ed Miller
- Mary-Louise Parker as Zerelda James
- Ted Levine as James Timberlake
- James Carville as Thomas Theodore Crittenden
- Michael Parks as Henry Craig
- Kailin See as Sarah Hite
- Tom Aldredge as mayor George Hite
- Brooklynn Proulx as Mary James
- Zooey Deschanel as Dorothy Evans
- Michael Copeman as Edward Capehart O’Kelley
Directed by Andrew Dominik
Produced by Ridley Scott, Jules Daly, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, David Valdes
Screenplay by Andrew Dominik
Music by Nick Cave, Warren Ellis
Cinematography Roger Deakins
Edited by Dylan Tichenor, Curtiss Clayton
Running time 160 minutes
Country United States
Language English