Customer Reviews

Frank And Jesse (1994 Film)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

A lot of reviewers have given this western a less-than-perfect rating due to its historical "in-accuracy". I have read the books and researched these two freedom fighters on the Internet for many years.

THIS MOVIE IS 99% ACCURATE.

They were NOT murderers, or "poor victims of society". They were merely seeking vengence and JUSTICE. They bravely continued the South's Great War for Freedom.

Pinkerton (the bad guy) WAS an @$$hole, as depicted in old manuscripts and letters.

The acting, storyline, plot, and everything are perfect. It starts with our heroes, after being released and swearing an oath to the loyalty of the yankees (United States), minding their own business and working on their farm.

Suddenly they (including their family) were terrorized by a villian represented by the Railroad of Chicago, Ill. Father was shot dead, brother (Frank James) wounded, and home torched.

These two gentlemen (Frank and Jesse) decide to start a gang and rob banks and railroads. As shown in the train scene, the gang "never takes money from the working man".

I won't give any more away but to just leave on a good note. This is a must-see for fans of the Old West. Along with John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.

There have been over a dozen movies based upon the life of Frank and Jesse James. Some have been historically accurate, but extremely boring and others have totally ignored history, but are extremely good movies to watch. FRANK AND JESSE falls somewhere in the middle.

The movie is really enjoyable to watch. It ignores much of the James' early years and instead focuses on their days as a gang after the Civil War. There are a few historical facts that are presented correctly in the film, but there are a lot more that are totally ignored or changed. Instead, the film is based more upon the legend of the James and Younger gang.

There is no doubt that Jesse James and company were bankrobbers who had a ruthless streak to them. Nevertheless, a person cannot deny the fact either that to many people in Missouri and other rural areas in the country, the James and Younger gang were heroes, Robin Hoods of the American West. Pinkerton asserted as much time and time again in his attempts to catch and round up the gang. Having been raised in a rural area not too far from the state of Missouri, I understand why people believed and still believe that in some ways the gang were heroes. In fact, I am inclined to agree. Therefore, this "romanticizing" of the Jesse James' legend isn't anything new. It's just the other side of the same coin and usually makes for a better story.

I rented this movie because I was doing a school report on Jesse James and was covering Hollywood's portrayal of the James gang. I ended up being very impressed. I think that Rob Lowe and Bill Paxton do a wonderful job as Jesse and Frank James. As a matter of fact, just about everyone in the movie are good actors. The shootouts are just spectacular (much better done than "The Great Northfield Minnesota raid" I might add) but if your looking for a accurate historacl account you might try looking elsewhere. This movie has a lot of the legends around the gang, such as checking passengers hands on a train, to determine whether or not to rob them, (soft hands--get robbed...calloused hands, meaning you were a working man,--don't get robbed) but almost everything about the Northfield raid is fiction. Here and there, parts of the movie are also made up, but Northfield was the killer for me. Anyway, if your up to a great western, try watching, you wont be let down, but if your looking for something out of a text book, try looking somewhere else.

I didn't think I'd like this movie but ended up really enjoying it. It was well made and entertaining. There are always two sides to every story in the old west (look at the Erps). This movie does point out that there were historical events that fueled the James Gang. Not saying they're choir boys.

Historical ? Maybe and maybe not. But I was entertained.

Having read Jesse James' biography I found this movie to be the most accurate of his life - not Hollywood's 'artistic license'. Awesome job, Rob Lowe and Bill Paxton.

I watched this movie one day on Netflix, but I really wasn't expecting too much. I like Bill Paxton, and he's the reason I watched it. But, Rob Lowe stole the show. I truly wasn't expecting much from Lowe's performance, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. He was great in the role of Jesse James. The rest of the cast was also wonderfully casted. I then purchased this as a Christmas gift for my wife, who loves westerns.

This was by far the best Jesse James movie I ever watched. It was more realistic, it was dark and you want to hate him but you can not stop loving him. His character likes what he does and does not mind killing to get what he wants. It shows the ruthless side of Jesse and the more gentle side too. Great show, I am glad I bought it.
Wanda Philipps

"Frank and Jesse" is a western, with historical significance, and plenty of shoot-em-up action. The story does not state that the killings and crime of the James Gang is acceptable, even though historically a great percentage of the public was sympathetic. That fact is presented in the movie script. What this movie does do, in a fine writing, acting, and filming experience, is explain how surviving through the conflict of the Civil War, and on the losing southern side, can change a man's outlook and ability to deal with life. Sometime in less than normal fashion. The methods some of the carpetbagger and money-venturists of the period used against the southern common people is presented as well. Not to mention the roles of politicians, the law, and capitalism in general.

So, the two young men trying to farm the James land, are attacked and turned again to killing and lawlessness, much like what they lived during the war (where that activity is condoned.) Who is guilty? Is it the James boys or is it the law, relentlessly forcing more and more killing. The film treads a fine line between murder, revenge, and self-defense.

Great acting by leads, Rob Lowe, Bill Paxton, and Randy Travis. Each presents a convincing rugged western man of the 1800's.

The historical aspect of the movie is perhaps embellished for the movie screen. What non-documentary film of historically famous characters is not changed for the entertainment of the public. The full amount of altered history is unknown, but this movie seems to show both sides of the James Gang vs Pinkerton and the railroad money boss conflict. It also shows the differences between the Frank and Jesse personalities.

It is interesting to relate the story of this movie centering around Frank and Jesse with another, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford." That second movie staring Brad Pitt, highlights Jesse against a gang joiner, Robert Ford. Ford ultimately murdered Jesse. When is a murder not a murder? Enough of the facts correlate one film against the other to prove much of the history presented is legitimate. I recommend both DVDs, perhaps "Frank and Jesse" first, having more of the history of the James family provided.

If you don't mind a good bit of blood, and ruthless killings, then get this one, just for the historical demonstration of lawlessness and violence in the early life of this country. Then you'll have to take a side as to whether the James boys were justified, driven to the violence, born with it, or did they (as some believed) enjoy their life of crime? You will be presented the case. You will have to play judge and jury. Who is the guilty party? Or what is guilty? Or guilty OF what?

Plenty more in this movie than just a western. A timeless period-type story of the 1800's after the Civil War. Recommended even to the parson.

This is a great movie to watch full of drama, action, comedy. It is also a great movie for those studying the lives of brothes Frank and Jesse. I just have to say this "WOW! What a nice butt Bill has!!!!!!"

McKenzie as 'Hollywood's best kept secret' has become a common statement among critics and fans.

McKenzie who is reknowned for orchestrating other composers (Barry, Elfman et al)is also a respected composer in his own right. He articulates memorable melodies and is able to subtly weave ethnicity when required.

The film portrays the brothers within a duality of compassion and ferocity. As such, McKenzie brings the tender with the triumphant. In the former, with cues such as 'Main Title' and 'Marauding' the heroics are conveyed through full string and brass orchestras (actually this is a small orchestra that has been overlayed). In the latter, its a flute or guitar that offers the tender - if not the tragic. Elements of bluegrass are also procured but not to the point of being overbearing - the subtlety of cultural heritage being one of McKenzie's great skills

Overall, its a wonderful mix of thematic cues full of emotional impact and that's the reason why some have been played alongside Wimbledon montages and at the Atlanta Olympics.

Other works such as 'Durango', 'The Disapperance of Garcia Lorca', and 'Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hide' are also highly recommended.