Written and directed by Andrew Dominik, this introspective epic revisionist Western history film launched in 2007. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford starred Brad Pitt and other big names such as Sam Rockwell, Casey Affleck, and Sam Rockwell.

Despite its critical acclaim, it was a major commercial failure. 20 years later and its cult classic status is strong, with many film critics considering it a masterpiece. We don’t think it’s on that level, but it certainly is a unique film and an intriguing look at the nature of fame and infamy.

Melancholy Galore in The Assassination of Jesse James

Set in 1881, the film is based on the true story of notorious outlaws in America. We’re introduced to a starstruck young Robert Ford (Casey Affleck), who is obsessed with the stories of Jesse James (Brad Pitt).

Ford attempts to join the James Gang and take part in a train robbery. He’s rejected, but gets to meet his idol all the same and is persistent in his dream.

Now, one of the few genuine scenes of action and violence in the film comes early on. Roger Deakins’ cinematography for the train robbery scene are fantastic, with it also being a rare look into James’ more aggressive traits.

Ford’s brother Charley (Sam Rockwell) is already in the gang and continues to try and convince James to let him join.

However, the film covers a crossroads period for outlaws. The old ways were becoming increasingly difficult to manage and Ford arrives in Jesse James’ life at a maudlin time. He’s reflective and, although only in his early 30s, appears to aware his time is limited. There’s also a substantial bounty on his head for all the crimes he’s committed.

Pitt’s performance of all this was strong, portraying a complex man battling with his legacy. He’s charming, but devious, plus paranoia is also seeping in. Even when Ford joins the gang, James becomes more and more distant.

He also eventually starts bumping off some of his gang, convinced they’re out to betray him.

As the film’s title reveals, the narrative is destined for a bloody conclusion. This is what really happened, too, as Ford eventually did shoot his former idol.

That was largely driven by his disillusionment with Jesse James. The does handle this side very well, as he gradually sees through his hero worship and realises James is just a man (and a rather paranoid, flawed one at that). He also wants to seize the bounty on James’ head, although after the deed he only received $500 of the $10,000 owed him.

Curiously (and this would never happen these days), with his brother Charley he seized on his post-assassination fame to write and star in a play about the shooting. And there, every night for a year, he acted out (with his brother) the assassination.

It’s quite difficult to convey the nature of the film in a handful of clips, it’s one you really do need to watch to get the full experience. The sense of time and place is fantastic, created meticulously by Andrew Dominik and cinematographer Roger Deakins. It really does feel like it’s 1881.

There’s no denying it’s a very good film, with an excellent lead performance by Casey Affleck (see him also in the brilliant Manchester By the Sea), and a very strong cast all round. But it’s definitely not the film you’d have ever expected, plus at 160 minutes it does test your patience from time to time.

Yet it lingers on every single moment, is always so well considered, plus is sparing with its depictions of violence (but that ramps up the emotional impact when there is gunfire).

This one is a 4/5 type deal from us rather than a 5/5, but what it does very well is resonate an eternal theme. One of masculinity in crisis that lends itself well to modern life’s happenings. It also stands as a curiosity in Brad Pitt’s storied career, a major commercial failure, but certainly one of the most ambitious projects he’s been involved with.

The Production of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

The film launched in September 2007 and flopped big time. Off its $30 million budget, it made back $15.3 million.

A big problem was director Andrew Dominik’s arthouse approach, with a very slow developmental pace. It clashed badly with studio and audience expectations. We can imagine people rocking up to the cinema in late 2007 expecting a Tombstone (1992) type bows and arrows, gunslinging romp of an action film. Instead, they were faced with contemplative introversion through a considered psychological character study.

Even the title of the film is a problem: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. It does give a few of the plot details away, although it’s taken from Ron Hansen’s 1983 novel of the same name (the book and film are remarkably historically accurate).

Warner Bros. Pictures also panicked after test screenings and the overall melancholic nature of the film. Having lost confidence, the studio placed it in only 300 cinemas for its grand opening. So, not a big surprise it didn’t go on to regain its money.

What didn’t help is it launched at the same time as Paul Thomas Anderson’s phenomenal There Will Be Blood, which met with rave reviews, was a commercial hit, and is considered one of the best films this century.

Coupled with its limited release, Andrew Dominik’s was unfortunately up against it.

20 years later and, despite its commercial issues, Brad Pitt has said it’s his favourite film he’s ever done. But he also fiercely defended the project back in 2007, fighting Warner Bros. to keep the film’s pacing the same and not shortening the title. In a 2017 interview with GQ magazine he said:

“My favourite movie is the worst performing film of anything I’ve done, The Assassination of Jesse James, if I believe something is worthy, then I know it will be worthy in time to come.”

The film was shot in August of 2005 in Calgary, Canada, then moved to various other Canadian locations. The first cut of the film came to over three hours, which Dominik cut down to just under two and a half hours. He then brough in musicians Nick Cave and Warren Ellis to complete the impressive soundtrack (Cave also has a cameo in the movie).

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford did get two Oscar nominations, one for Casey Affleck’s performance. It’s also notable for having a cast that went on to much bigger things after, including Jeremy Renner and Zooey Deschanel (the latter actually doing some acting, rather than the wide-eyed “kooky” stuff she does these days).

A curious project, then, but one we’re glad we revisited. We watched it around 2008 for the first time and were impressed by it and rewatching it the other week brought back many memories.

But we still haven’t wavered on our commitment to it here. Great, unique film? Yes. Masterpiece? Not to us, at least, but then many would argue the opposite.