# The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

> 2007 film by Andrew Dominik

**Wikidata**: [Q388950](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q388950)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Assassination_of_Jesse_James_by_the_Coward_Robert_Ford)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-assassination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-ford

## Summary
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a 2007 American biographical Western drama film directed by Andrew Dominik, based on Ron Hansen's 1983 novel of the same name. The film stars Brad Pitt as Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford, exploring the final months of Jesse James's life and his complex relationship with the young man who would eventually kill him.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Andrew Dominik and released in 2007
- Based on Ron Hansen's 1983 novel "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
- Stars Brad Pitt as Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford
- Genre classifications include biographical film, Western film, historical drama, and drama film
- Production companies include Plan B Entertainment and Warner Bros.
- Country of origin: United States
- IMDb ID: tt0443680
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 76%
- Metacritic score: 68/100
- Runtime: 160 minutes
- Awards received: Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (Casey Affleck), National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 39 language editions
- Official website: https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/assassination-jesse-james-coward-robert-ford

## FAQs
**What is the film about?**
The film dramatizes the final months of Jesse James's life, focusing on his relationship with Robert Ford, a young member of his gang who idolizes him but eventually becomes his assassin. It explores themes of celebrity, betrayal, and the mythology surrounding the American West.

**Who directed and starred in the film?**
Andrew Dominik directed the film, with Brad Pitt starring as Jesse James and Casey Affleck as Robert Ford. The cast also includes Sam Shepard, Mary-Louise Parker, and Sam Rockwell in supporting roles.

**What awards did the film receive?**
The film received several awards and nominations, including the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for Casey Affleck's performance as Robert Ford. It was also named to the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films list for 2007.

**What genres does the film belong to?**
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford spans multiple genres including biographical film, Western film, historical drama, and drama film, reflecting its complex narrative that blends historical fact with psychological character study.

**When and where was the film released?**
The film had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2007, and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on September 21, 2007, followed by a wider release on October 25, 2007.

## Why It Matters
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford matters as a significant contribution to the revisionist Western genre, offering a contemplative and psychologically complex portrayal of one of America's most infamous outlaws. Unlike traditional Westerns that glorify frontier violence, Dominik's film deconstructs the mythology surrounding Jesse James, presenting him as a paranoid, violent man whose celebrity status ultimately leads to his downfall. The film's deliberate pacing, stunning cinematography by Roger Deakins, and Nick Cave and Warren Ellis's haunting score create an atmospheric meditation on fame, betrayal, and the American West that challenges conventional genre expectations. Its exploration of how historical figures are transformed into legends through media and public perception remains relevant to contemporary discussions about celebrity culture and historical memory.

## Notable For
- Roger Deakins's cinematography, widely considered among the most beautiful in modern cinema
- Casey Affleck's breakthrough performance as Robert Ford, earning him an Academy Award nomination
- Andrew Dominik's distinctive directorial style combining historical accuracy with poetic storytelling
- A revisionist approach to the Western genre that emphasizes psychological depth over action
- The film's exploration of the relationship between celebrity and violence
- Its faithful adaptation of Ron Hansen's literary novel while maintaining cinematic originality
- The haunting musical score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
- Its influence on subsequent slow-burn, atmospheric Westerns

## Body

### Production and Development
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was produced by Plan B Entertainment, Brad Pitt's production company, in collaboration with Warner Bros. The film was directed by Andrew Dominik, an Australian filmmaker known for his meticulous attention to detail and unconventional storytelling approaches. The screenplay was adapted from Ron Hansen's 1983 historical novel of the same name, which had been praised for its literary quality and psychological insight into the characters of Jesse James and Robert Ford.

### Cast and Performances
Brad Pitt stars as Jesse James, bringing both charisma and menace to the role of the legendary outlaw. Casey Affleck delivers a career-defining performance as Robert Ford, capturing the character's mixture of hero worship, resentment, and eventual betrayal. The supporting cast includes Sam Shepard as Frank James, Mary-Louise Parker as Zee James, and Sam Rockwell as Charley Ford, Robert's brother. The performances were widely praised by critics, with Affleck's portrayal earning him numerous awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

### Cinematography and Visual Style
The film's visual aesthetic is one of its most celebrated aspects, with cinematographer Roger Deakins creating some of the most striking images in contemporary cinema. The cinematography employs natural lighting, long takes, and carefully composed frames that evoke 19th-century paintings while maintaining a modern sensibility. The film's visual style contributes significantly to its contemplative tone, with landscapes and interiors often serving as metaphors for the characters' psychological states.

### Music and Sound Design
The musical score was composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, who created a haunting, minimalist soundscape that perfectly complements the film's melancholic tone. The music combines traditional Western instruments with modern electronic elements, creating an atmosphere that feels both historical and contemporary. The sound design is equally meticulous, with attention paid to period-accurate ambient sounds and the careful use of silence to build tension.

### Historical Context and Accuracy
While the film takes some artistic liberties with historical events, it remains largely faithful to the known facts of Jesse James's final months and his relationship with Robert Ford. The film accurately depicts James's paranoia, his declining mental state, and the complex dynamics within his gang. Historical details such as period-appropriate costumes, props, and settings were carefully researched and recreated to maintain authenticity.

### Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon release, the film received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise directed at the performances, cinematography, and direction. However, its slow pacing and contemplative tone made it a challenging commercial proposition, and it performed modestly at the box office. Over time, the film has gained recognition as a modern classic of the Western genre, influencing subsequent filmmakers and earning a place in discussions of the best films of the 2000s.

### Distribution and Release
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2007, before receiving a limited theatrical release in the United States on September 21, 2007. A wider release followed on October 25, 2007. The film was distributed by Warner Bros. domestically and by various international distributors in other territories. It has since been released on home video and streaming platforms, where it has found a larger audience.

### Genre Classification
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford defies easy categorization, incorporating elements from multiple genres. As a biographical film, it dramatizes the lives of real historical figures. As a Western, it is set in the 19th-century American West and deals with themes common to that genre. As a historical drama, it focuses on the psychological and emotional aspects of its characters' experiences. And as a drama, it emphasizes character development and thematic exploration over action and plot.

### Cultural Impact
The film has had a lasting impact on both cinema and popular culture. Its visual style has influenced subsequent films and television series, particularly those dealing with historical subjects. The film's exploration of celebrity culture and the construction of historical narratives remains relevant to contemporary discussions about media, fame, and historical memory. Its success in adapting a literary work while maintaining cinematic originality has made it a reference point for discussions about the relationship between literature and film.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 160 minutes, making it a substantial cinematic experience that allows for the slow development of its themes and characters. It was shot on 35mm film, maintaining a traditional cinematic aesthetic that complements its historical subject matter. The aspect ratio and color grading were carefully chosen to evoke the period while creating a distinctive visual identity.

### Related Works and Adaptations
The film is based on Ron Hansen's 1983 novel, which itself was a literary reimagining of historical events. While there have been numerous other portrayals of Jesse James in film and television, Dominik's version stands out for its psychological depth and artistic ambition. The film has also inspired academic analysis and critical essays exploring its themes, techniques, and cultural significance.

### Production Companies and Collaborations
Plan B Entertainment, founded by Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, and Brad Grey in 2001, served as the primary production company. The collaboration between Pitt as star and producer and Dominik as director represented a continuation of their professional relationship, as they had previously worked together on "Chopper" (2000). Warner Bros. provided distribution and additional production support, bringing their experience with major studio releases to the project.

### Awards and Recognition
Beyond the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor won by Casey Affleck, the film received numerous other accolades. It was named to the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films list for 2007. The film received multiple nominations from various critics' associations and film organizations, recognizing its achievements in acting, cinematography, and overall artistic merit. While it did not win major Academy Awards, its critical success established it as a significant work in contemporary American cinema.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Rotten Tomatoes
4. [Source](http://www.kinokalender.com/film6178_die-ermordung-des-jesse-james-durch-den-feigling-robert-ford.html)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Kinopoisk
7. Entertainment Identifier Registry
8. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/the-assassination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-ford-1/)
9. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/the-assassination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-ford/)
10. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
11. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=108750.html)
12. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
13. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/118846)
14. mymovies.it
15. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/5FC1-0C32-F3DE-E7F8-1F40-M)
16. Danish Film Database
17. Trakt.tv
18. FilmVandaag.nl