The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford | |
---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
Directed by | Andrew Dominik |
Produced by |
Ridley Scott Jules Daly Brad Pitt Dede Gardner David Valdes |
Screenplay by | Andrew Dominik |
Based on |
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford by Ron Hansen |
Starring |
Brad Pitt Casey Affleck Sam Shepard Mary-Louise Parker Paul Schneider Jeremy Renner Zooey Deschanel Sam Rockwell |
Narrated by | Hugh Ross |
Music by |
Nick Cave Warren Ellis |
Cinematography | Roger Deakins |
Edited by |
Dylan Tichenor Curtiss Clayton |
Production
company |
|
Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date
|
|
Running time
|
159 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $30 million |
Box office | $15 million |
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a 2007 American revisionist Western film written and directed by Andrew Dominik. Adapted from Ron Hansen's 1983 novel of the same name, the film dramatizes the relationship between Jesse James (Brad Pitt) and Robert Ford (Casey Affleck), focusing on the events that lead up to the titular killing.
Filming took place near Calgary, Alberta; with additional locations in Canmore, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially intended for a 2006 release, it was postponed and re-edited a release date for September 21, 2007.
In 1881, young, starstruck Robert "Bob" Ford (Casey Affleck) seeks out Jesse James (Brad Pitt) when the James gang is planning a train robbery in Blue Cut, Missouri, making unsuccessful attempts to join the gang with the help of his older brother Charley (Sam Rockwell), already a member. The train turns out to be carrying only a fraction of the money originally thought, and Frank James (Sam Shepard) tells Charley Ford that this robbery would be the last the James brothers would commit. Jesse returns home to Kansas City, bringing the Fords, Dick Liddil (Paul Schneider) and his cousin, Wood Hite (Jeremy Renner). Jesse sends Charley, Wood and Dick away, but insists that Bob stay. He wanted the younger man just for his help in moving furniture to a new home in St. Joseph, Missouri. Bob becomes more admiring of James before being sent back to his sister's farmhouse, where he rejoins his brother Charley, Hite, and Liddil.