The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Play trailer

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

R

Released Sep 21, 2007

2h 40m

Western

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

175 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Infamous and unpredictable, Jesse James (Brad Pitt), nicknamed the fastest gun in the west, plans his next big heist while he launches pre-emptive strikes against those looking to collect the reward the law has placed on his head. Jesse's newest recruits, Robert (Casey Affleck) and Charley Ford (Sam Rockwell), grow increasingly jealous of the outlaw. When they sense an opportunity to kill Jesse, they gun him down, but their actions backfire when Jesse's fame is elevated to near mythical status.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

David Jenkins

Time Out

Pitt, toying with his death-wish like some private joke, is eminently watchable in a role with little developmental arc; while Affleck, as his unwitting nemesis, takes his own mysterious integrity right to the grave.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 6, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: B

Feb 14, 2012

Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Gayle Sequeira

Film Companion

The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford plays out like an elegy to a fallen idol whose worshipper has decided it's time to dismantle the pedestal.

Oct 6, 2022

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

Not only one of the finest westerns ever made, even a decade-and-a-half on The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a terrific example of the power of the art form itself.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 28, 2022

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Perhaps the least western Western ever made - and that's not a good sort of singularity.

Rated: 3/10

Nov 24, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

When I first saw this film many years ago I didn't enjoy it. However the second time I watch it and after studying film studies at school I grew appreciation for this film. The music, cinematography, acting and the narrative is by far the best I've ever seen in a film. The storyline after watching is also very good having been based on ture historical events of the wild west. Even so much so, that it has become iconic in Red Dead Redemption 2 for one particular scene in the film. I'd have to say this is top of my film list for the best films I have ever watched.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/18/24

Full Review

Faiz D

Beautifully shot, well-acted and great music. 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford' is a visceral experience that has a completely different feel than any other Western.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

Full Review

T D

Casey Affleck is dreadful. I have heard people say he is great. Those people probably liked Sean Penn in 'I am Sam'.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/14/24

Full Review

Thomas D

Not a great movie but everyone should watch it at least once

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

Jesus Pablo S

Adsolute Masterpiece. Different. Everything is perfect, the story, how it is told, the actors, the photography...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/29/24

Full Review

Dinos K

Brad Pitt was very good, Casey Affleck was just himself

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/17/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Andrew Dominik

Director

Brad Pitt

Jesse James

Casey Affleck

Robert Ford

Sam Shepard

Frank James

Mary-Louise Parker

Zee James

Sam Rockwell

Charley Ford

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

September Dawn

17%

49%

September Dawn

Watchlist

Hostiles

71%

76%

Hostiles

Watchlist

3:10 to Yuma

89%

86%

3:10 to Yuma

Watchlist

Appaloosa

77%

55%

Appaloosa

Watchlist

Woman Walks Ahead

59%

62%

Woman Walks Ahead

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Woman Walks Ahead

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rank Jeremy Renner’s 10 Best Movies

Scoot McNairy’s Five Favorite Films

Sundance 2010: RT’s 10 Most Anticipated Movies

View more photos

Synopsis

Infamous and unpredictable, Jesse James (Brad Pitt), nicknamed the fastest gun in the west, plans his next big heist while he launches pre-emptive strikes against those looking to collect the reward the law has placed on his head. Jesse's newest recruits, Robert (Casey Affleck) and Charley Ford (Sam Rockwell), grow increasingly jealous of the outlaw. When they sense an opportunity to kill Jesse, they gun him down, but their actions backfire when Jesse's fame is elevated to near mythical status.

Director: Andrew Dominik
Producer: Ridley Scott, Jules Daly, Brad Pitt, David Valdes, Dede Gardner
Screenwriter: Andrew Dominik
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Scott Free Productions, Warner Bros., Virtual Studios, Plan B Films, Jesse Films Inc.
Rating: R (Some Strong Violence|Brief Sexual References)
Genre: Western, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 21, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.9M
Runtime: 2h 40m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS

Most Popular at Home Now