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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

Play trailer Poster for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford R 2007 2h 40m Western History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 174 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.
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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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David Jenkins Time Out Feb 6, 2018
3/5
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. Go to Full Review Christopher Orr The New Republic Sep 18, 2008
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. Go to Full Review Alonso Duralde MSNBC May 1, 2008
5/5
Jesse James is that rarest of birds -- an art film with mass appeal. Go to Full Review Gayle Sequeira Film Companion Oct 6, 2022
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. Go to Full Review James Croot The Post NZ Sep 28, 2022
5/5
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. Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Nov 24, 2020
3/10
Perhaps the least western Western ever made - and that's not a good sort of singularity. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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keven Q @kevenquinlan Sep 27, 2026 Ok, Casey's performance was Oscar worthy. This, unfortunately, just wasn't a very good movie. Moody. A Moody Jesse James. Not Keeping. See more Craig R @LVilleMovies Aug 1, 2026 Beautifully made film, but pacing is too slow to be ever pull you in. Two leads do excellent jobs. See more Kim P @RT98672688 Jun 13, 2026 This film brings to mind another long historical tragedy in Barry Lyndon. A man who feels spurned and rejected from his rightful place of glory and the many missteps that his misconception has him take on the road to an inglorious end. The cinematography is superb and the acting is expertly nuanced to reflect resentment, fear, paranoia, ambition, and self-preservation at various times throughout the movie. Pitt's best performance as an actor, he embodies the mercurial mood and quirky personality of Jesse James yet loses none of the confidence and charisma the outlaw reportedly possessed. The movie is slow-moving and you basically know how it ends so it's like watching a long fuse burn before the expected bang at the end. See more Drew M. @Stonehands211 Feb 26, 2026 What a movie. The main two performances from Affleck and Pitt are just outstanding. I was nervous each time they were on screen together. For such a slow burn of a film they really got a lot of tension out of the characters. I really loved the melancholic ending on up of it all too. Just beautiful. A great be careful what you wish for kind of scenario. See more Alex M @alexkidinmovieworld Jan 26, 2026 Brad Pitt's finest moment (and I loved him in seven and fight club). It took me a good day or so after watching this to truly absorb his portal as a truly uwelcoming antihero. The cinematography is up there with Roger Deakins best work and given his follow up work I don't think Andrew Dominik will do better again. This is a film which will leave a sour taste in your mouth purposely and the themes of Jesse James being the world's first social media star is only a little slice of the pie... You have to work at analysing this film and I understand why audiences didn't overly love it... Just remember though we need unwelcoming films like this to challenge the popcorn fodder See more Michael G. @micgriffin12 Dec 24, 2025 Nice little history lesson. Longer than it needed to be. Pitt was a solid Jesse James. See more Read all reviews
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

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Cast & Crew

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Andrew Dominik

Director

Brad Pitt

Jesse James

Casey Affleck

Robert Ford

Sam Shepard

Frank James

Mary-Louise Parker

Zee James

Sam Rockwell

Charley Ford

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The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

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Movie Info

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
Virtual Studios, Warner Bros., Scott Free Productions, 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
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