The Return of Frank James

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The Return of Frank James

Released Aug 16, 1940

1h 32m

Western

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

47%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

When Jesse James's murderers are set free, his brother Frank vows revenge and, accompanied by his gang, sets out to track them down. To fund his manhunt, he robs an express office and is subsequently wrongly accused of the clerk's murder, but a newspaper reporter is determined to find out the truth.

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Joshua Polanski

Midwest Film Journal

I did not enjoy watching The Return of Frank James and I suspect you won’t either. The colors look good, Fonda’s not bad and the courtroom stuff is a great change of pace, but the filmmaking is only competent.

Sep 6, 2024

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Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

As a snapshot of what mindless popcorn cinema looked like in 1940, it's a flattering example, still watchable and breezy even if it's not remotely challenging on any level.

Rated: 7/10

Jun 4, 2014

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

The abstruse stylization of Rancho Notorious is still a decade away, though the frontier is already a severe plain enlivened by intimations of hellfire

Sep 25, 2009

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Fine Fritz Lang telling of Frank James (Fonda) in sequel to Jesse James.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 21, 2008

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Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies

Rated: 2/5

Feb 29, 2008

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Gets by with its remarkable photography (an early attempt at color for Lang), crisp action sequences and breezy storytelling.

Mar 22, 2007

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Angelo C

A wonderful movie just like its predecessor. Beautifully filmed and the acting was superb. I love these westerns!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/18/25

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Ricci Bilotta 1961 B

Way too fictional account of how Jesse was killed. Everything about this movie is wrong

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

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RICHARD S

Though the plot is hard to believe, the performances of Fonda and Tierney are worth the watch. This is an entertaining yarn with pretty good production values, including excellent technicolor, similar to its prequal. Be sure to watch its predecessor first -- this is definitely Part II.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

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Steve D

Clunky moralistic script sinks it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

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Audience Member

Good movie here. Yes I recommend it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas May 25, 2023

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/26/23

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Audience Member

Hunting "that dirty little coward who killed Mr. Howard"--A Satisfying tale of Revenge served hot!!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Fritz Lang

Director

Henry Fonda

Frank James

Gene Tierney

Eleanor Stone

Jackie Cooper

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Henry Hull

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Synopsis

When Jesse James's murderers are set free, his brother Frank vows revenge and, accompanied by his gang, sets out to track them down. To fund his manhunt, he robs an express office and is subsequently wrongly accused of the clerk's murder, but a newspaper reporter is determined to find out the truth.

Director: Fritz Lang
Producer: Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter: Sam Hellman
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: Western, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 16, 1940, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 32m

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