The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), directed by Andrew Dominik, is a haunting Western drama that explores celebrity, betrayal, and the myth of the American outlaw. Based on Ron Hansen’s 1983 novel, the film examines not just Jesse James’ notorious life but also the complex psychology of his eventual killer, Robert Ford.

Detailed Summary

Setting the Stage: Jesse James’ Legacy

By the early 1880s, Jesse James (Brad Pitt) is already a legendary outlaw. His reputation precedes him—feared by lawmen, adored by the public, and admired by younger men who want to be part of his gang. Among these admirers is Robert Ford (Casey Affleck), a socially awkward but ambitious 19-year-old who has idolized Jesse since childhood.

The Ford Brothers and Jesse’s Gang

Robert and his brother Charley (Sam Rockwell) manage to insert themselves into Jesse’s circle after a train robbery. While Jesse projects charm and leadership, he is also paranoid, manipulative, and violent. Ford’s initial awe slowly gives way to discomfort as he witnesses Jesse’s unpredictable cruelty.

Growing Tensions

As the gang falls apart under pressure from law enforcement and Jesse’s paranoia, Robert Ford becomes increasingly conflicted. He wants Jesse’s approval but resents his dominance. At the same time, Robert sees an opportunity: Jesse has become a wanted man with a hefty price on his head.

The Betrayal at the James House

On April 3, 1882, Jesse James invites Robert and Charley Ford to his home in St. Joseph, Missouri. In one of the film’s most famous sequences, Jesse removes his gun belt and steps on a chair to adjust a dusty picture on the wall. It is in this moment of vulnerability that Robert shoots him in the back of the head. The “cowardly” nature of the act—killing a man unarmed and facing away—cements Ford’s infamy forever.

Movie Ending

The ending of the film does not stop at Jesse’s death. Instead, it follows Robert Ford’s life in the aftermath. Initially, he and Charley expect to be celebrated as heroes for killing an outlaw. Instead, the public turns on them. Jesse James, though a criminal, becomes romanticized as a tragic figure, while Robert Ford is branded forever as “the coward who shot Jesse James.”

Robert spends years trying to justify his actions but lives in Jesse’s shadow. His brother Charley, wracked with guilt, ultimately takes his own life. Robert becomes a minor figure performing reenactments of the shooting in stage shows, but his reputation never recovers.

The film ends in 1892, ten years after Jesse’s death, with Robert being murdered in his own saloon by Edward O’Kelley. O’Kelley becomes celebrated as a folk hero for killing Ford—just as Jesse was idolized. The cycle of violence, myth-making, and misplaced admiration comes full circle.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, the film does not include post-credits scenes. The story concludes definitively with Robert Ford’s death, followed by closing narration that contextualizes how history remembers both Jesse James and Robert Ford.

Type of Movie

The film is a revisionist Western and a psychological drama, more meditative and lyrical than action-driven. It dissects the cult of celebrity, the loneliness of outlaw life, and the corrosive power of betrayal.

Cast

• Brad Pitt as Jesse James
• Casey Affleck as Robert Ford
• Sam Rockwell as Charley Ford
• Paul Schneider as Dick Liddil
• Jeremy Renner as Wood Hite
• Garret Dillahunt as Ed Miller
• Mary-Louise Parker as Zee James
• Zooey Deschanel as Dorothy Evans

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, who created a melancholic, atmospheric soundtrack. The music uses sparse piano and violin arrangements to enhance the film’s haunting, almost elegiac tone. Nick Cave also appears briefly in the film as a bar singer performing “The Ballad of Jesse James.”

Filming Locations

The film was shot in Canada, primarily in Alberta and Manitoba. The landscapes provide sweeping, snow-dusted plains and rustic towns that echo the desolate beauty of the American frontier. These natural settings lend authenticity to the film, grounding its mythic themes in real, weathered terrain.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Casey Affleck) and Best Cinematography (Roger Deakins).
• Venice Film Festival: Won Best Cinematography (Deakins).
• National Society of Film Critics Awards: Best Cinematography.

Though not a box-office hit, it became a critical darling for its artistry.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Brad Pitt not only starred in the film but also served as a producer.
• Roger Deakins’ cinematography used a “lens vignette” effect, giving certain shots a dreamy, historical feel.
• Casey Affleck’s soft-spoken performance divided early test audiences, but it later became one of his most praised roles.
• Nick Cave’s cameo as a saloon singer adds a meta layer, since he sings about Jesse’s death within the film itself.

Inspirations and References

The film is adapted from Ron Hansen’s novel of the same name. The book itself was heavily inspired by real history but takes some liberties with character psychology and events for narrative depth. Dominik’s adaptation stays close in tone and structure, leaning into Hansen’s lyrical prose.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Several scenes were trimmed for pacing, as the original cut ran over three hours. Extended conversations between Jesse and his gang members, as well as more of Robert Ford’s post-assassination life, were filmed but not included in the final release. No alternate ending significantly changes the narrative.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film closely mirrors Hansen’s novel, though the book provides more internal monologue and historical detail. The novel emphasizes Ford’s obsession and Jesse’s paranoia more heavily. The movie, while faithful, places greater weight on atmosphere and visual storytelling.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The train robbery lit by lanterns in the night—a visually stunning sequence.
• Jesse’s paranoia-filled interrogation of his gang members.
• The assassination itself, quiet and intimate rather than explosive.
• Robert Ford performing reenactments of the murder on stage.

Iconic Quotes

• Narrator: “He was growing into middle age and was living in a bungalow on Woodland Avenue.”
• Robert Ford: “I wanted to be like you, Jesse. That’s why I’m here.”
• Jesse James: “I can’t figure it out: do you want to be like me, or do you want to be me?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The sepia-toned, blurred edges in certain scenes mimic 19th-century photography.
• The stage reenactments shown in the film were historically accurate to the performances the Ford brothers actually gave.
• The film’s narrator quotes passages almost verbatim from Ron Hansen’s novel.

Trivia

• Casey Affleck was nominated for an Oscar, but many critics believed he should have won.
• Brad Pitt won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for his performance.
• Roger Deakins called this film one of the projects he is most proud of.

Why Watch?

This is not a shootout-heavy Western. Instead, it’s a slow-burn, poetic meditation on fame, envy, and the making of legends. If you appreciate atmospheric filmmaking, masterful cinematography, and character-driven drama, this is essential viewing.

Director’s Other Movies

• Chopper (2000)
• Killing Them Softly (2012)
• Blonde (2022)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Unforgiven (1992)
• The Proposition (2005)
• Heaven’s Gate (1980)
• There Will Be Blood (2007)
• Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973)