Jesse James
A polished Technicolor western transforms Jesse and Frank James into avenging folk heroes after railroad violence drives them into outlawry.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- adventurous
- dramatic
- romanticized
- classic western night
- historical film marathon
What critics said
Audiences embraced the handsome, star-driven western and its vivid legend-building, while critics and viewers noted its historical liberties and increasingly sluggish pace.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The screenplay turns Jesse and Frank James into sympathetic folk heroes opposing exploitative railroad interests, explicitly favoring legend over history.
Railroad agents pressure farmers to surrender land cheaply and use force against those who resist.
The James brothers become fugitives after railroad agents cause their mother's death and Jesse retaliates.
The production uses Technicolor landscapes, period action, trains, banks, and large-scale western staging.
Films like Jesse James, and why
The True Story of Jesse James
classic western biographical legend, railroad conflict, and sympathetic outlaw mythology
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
stylized western biography centered on a famous outlaw and the gap between legend and history
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
romanticized outlaw western with anti-corporate populism and train robberies
The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid
historical western about violent resistance to railroad expansion and an iconic outlaw figure
Movie Details
- Director
- Henry King
- Release Date
- 1939-01-14
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (115)
Cast
- Tyrone Power
- Henry Fonda
- Nancy Kelly
- Randolph Scott
- Henry Hull
- Slim Summerville
- J. Edward Bromberg
- Brian Donlevy
- John Carradine
- Donald Meek
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Jesse James about?
- A polished Technicolor western transforms Jesse and Frank James into avenging folk heroes after railroad violence drives them into outlawry.
- What is Jesse James like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Jesse James as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Jesse James violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Jesse James as moderate.
- What did critics think of Jesse James?
- Audiences embraced the handsome, star-driven western and its vivid legend-building, while critics and viewers noted its historical liberties and increasingly sluggish pace.
- Which films are like Jesse James?
- Films with a similar feel include The True Story of Jesse James, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid.
- How long is Jesse James?
- Jesse James runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Jesse James?
- In United States, Jesse James is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
