THE TRUE STORY OF JESSE JAMES: GLOSSED OVER BIOPIC

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love a great western. Unfortunately this is not one of those. It’s sufficient as an enjoyable enough film but is far too overproduced and acted to achieve notable status. Still it has its moments.

The movie, as the title suggests, tell the story of Jesse James (Robert Wagner). Beginning with the failed robbery attempt in Northfield, Minnesota, that resulted in two of his gang gunned down. This leaves James on the run from the Remington Detective Agency with a huge bounty on his head. As he and brother Frank (Jeffrey Hunter) are on the run the story of their lives moves back and forth through flashbacks to tell his tale.

These moments in his life are a combination of being acted out by the stars and told in the form of those who knew or came across Jesse during his life. But while the movie makes a decent entertainment vehicle the methods of director Nicholas Ray also turn it into something else entirely.

Known mainly for his film REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE Ray chooses to portray James as a misunderstood teen much like the character of Jim Stark from that film. There is an anger that exudes from James in this film unlike any portrayal I’ve ever seen of him before. Even books I’ve read about James don’t depict him as the hot headed person we witness here.

Wagner doesn’t help providing a workable performance as the title character but providing little depth to the role. That may have been because there was little to base his portrayal on at the time or due to Ray’s direction. It’s not one of his more memorable performances. On the other hand Hunter comes off far better with a depiction of Frank that’s sympathetic and much more rounded out.

Writing about the film now I’m torn with recommending or steering people clear of the film. As it is I’m writing far less about the film that most I write about. Perhaps that in itself says something about my thoughts on the film. I didn’t hate it but it’s not one I’m likely to revisit time and time again if ever. It might make interesting viewing if coupled with other movies on the subject that were far better like THE GREAT NORTHFIELD MINNESOTA RAID, 1939’s JESSE JAMES or one of my favorites THE LONG RIDERS. A Jesse James film fest if you will. But on its own it’s one of those movies that you watch and then forget once it’s over. 

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