The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James

This was pure entertainment. If you want history, look at The Long Riders. But, if you want fun and excitement, this is your huckleberry. It has been years since this film rolled out, so a lot of the "extras" are now recognized as accomplished country music artists. The movie moves quickly to its conclusion, but then there is an added bonus: Bob Ford! You'll have to see it to fully appreciate it. Bravo!

This made for television movie stars some real life Highwaymen. Johnny Cash as Frank James. Kris Kristofferson as Jesse James. A guest appearance by Willie Nelson as General Shelby.

It begins with Jesse James being gunned down by the coward Robert Ford. Just at a time when the James boys were calming down a little after a life of crime.

Frank went for an easy family life and put his outlaw days behind him. Jesse James was not yet ready for pipes and slippers.

After his death, Ford earns notoriety as he recounts on stage just how he got to kill the famous outlaw. Brother Frank is out for revenge but he needs to deal with a court matter first.

The movie is a small scale drama than a western. The script is no great shakes. It is an anodyne affair. The cast of real life country and western legends gives it some interest.

This is the most authentic Jesse James movie ever made. The narrator, Ed Bruce, was excellent as the famous Missouri newspaper editor, John Newman Edwards,who made Jesse James famous in his own time by writing newspaper articles about him and lionizing him in his 1877 book Noted Guerrillas. Whenever, I give a talk about General Jo Shelby's famous Confederate Iron Brigade, I tell the audience this is the only time General Shelby has ever been portrayed in a movie and use the movie's DVD case as a prop. Willie Nelson did a great job playing ex-Confederate Joseph O. Shelby. The care shown in this movie for historical accuracy deserves recognition and I encourage anyone with an interest in the James brothers to watch it.

I have no ideal what these other reviews are talking about, they must have never looked into the real life of Jess and Frank James. The move is somewhat in line with what happen, but no where near the truth. Franks wasn't even no where near Bob Ford when he got shoot.

As for as the actors, please, who in the world would pay good money to the worst actor in the world (Kris Kristofferson) in a movie. I love Johnny Cash as a singer, but please once again, now way these two should ever share a screen together.

Do yourself a favor, when this movie comes on run, don't walk, to anywhere, just as long as you get far far away from this stink bomb.

Once you get past the fact that both Kristofferson and Cash were more than ten years to old to play the parts of the James Brothers and June Carter playing their mother when she was about the same age and husband Johnny you will enjoy this film.

I have seen so many films about the notorious brothers, some good, some bad but I enjoyed this one. I believe it was fairly accurate. Sure as another reviewer said neither actors are Oscar winners but they played the parts to the best of their abilities and to say Kristofferson is the worst actor in the world is a bit harsh.

It comes on TV fairly regularly so give it a chance when it does.