Customer Reviews

Jesse James [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

For sheer gusto, excitement and action, it's hard to beat this classic western which unfolds the legendary saga of the notorious James boys. Tyrone is sympathetic, dashing and utterly charming as Jesse who lives on his mother's farm with his slow, deliberate, dependable brother Frank (Fonda). Director Henry King gives the film his special brand of zest and the acting of both Brian Donlevy and Jane Darwell is superb. More Hollywood than real-life for sure, nevertheless Power proved he could really act in this one; before he was just a beautiful matinee idol for the women to swoon over. Here he appealed to the menfolk as well as he successfully captured the good and evil which existed in one of America's most enigmatic men; Fonda was so good as brother Frank that Fox cast in the sequel RETURN OF FRANK JAMES; this film made the not-so-young (34) Henry Fonda a star. The Technicolor is magnificent!!

A real life legend of the Old West comes to life in this 1939 film, which may not be historically accurate or honest enough for purists, but nevertheless tells a good story while leaving any moral judgments up to the audience. "Jesse James," directed by Henry King, stars Tyrone Power as the man heralded by some as the Robin Hood of cowboys. Whether or not he was actually a hero is debatable, and what this movie does is supply the motivation for the wrong-doing on Jesse's part-- at least up to a point. At the time this film was made, it was necessary for the filmmaker to present a story like this in a way that reflected a reckoning of sorts for a character engaged in any form of moral turpitude; and this film is no exception. But in this case, it's done with subtlety, and in a way that still allows the viewer's sympathies to be with the protagonist, regardless of his crimes.

At the heart of the matter is basically another version of the oft-told David and Goliath tale. In this story, Goliath is the railroad, expanding ever-westward and growing bigger and stronger by the day. When they encounter the farm on which Jesse, his brother, Frank (Henry Fonda) and their mother (Jane Darwell) reside and make their living, the railroad does what any self-respecting conglomerate would do-- they take it, pay the owners a pittance and lay their rail without giving it another thought. Only this time, the railroad messed with the wrong people. Not one to take it lying down, Jesse forms a gang-- which includes Frank-- and strikes back in the only way he knows how: By robbing the trains. And, just as Bonnie and Clyde would become, in a sense, local heroes a few years later, many began looking up to James as something of a redeemer; the man who stood up for all the others who were either unwilling or unable to do it for themselves after being wronged, as well, by the ruthless machinery of progress.

Power gives an outstanding performance as Jesse James, to whom he brings an intensity that seethes beneath his rugged good looks and determined attitude. Like Beatty did with Clyde, Power makes Jesse an outlaw you can't help but like, and actually admire. Because the James Power presents is nothing more nor less than a good man seeking reparation for the injury visited not only upon himself, but upon his family, to whom he feels justice is now due. It's a very credible and believable portrayal, though under close scrutiny his Jesse may come across as somewhat idealistically unflawed. Then again, within the time frame of this story, we are seeing a man adamant and single-minded of purpose, and the depth Power brings to the character more than accounts for what may be construed as a flawless nature.

As Frank James, Henry Fonda presents a man perhaps more laid-back than his brother, but every bit as volatile and adamant in his quest for justice. There's a coolness in his eyes and in his manner that belies the tenacity of his character. Fonda conveys the sense that Frank is a lion; he's no trouble without provocation, but once aroused he will demand satisfaction and stay with the scent until he has it. And it's that sense of dogged determination that Fonda and Power bring to their respective characters that makes them so engaging and accessible. Goliath is the real bad guy here, and you want to see him fall; and these are the guys you want to see bring him down.

In a supporting role, John Carradine gives a noteworthy performance as Jesse's own personal Judas, Bob Ford, a man who made history by demonstrating that there is, indeed, no honor among thieves. Carradine brings Ford to life in a sly and sinister way that leaves no doubt as to who the real villain of the story is.

The supporting cast includes Nancy Kelly (Zee), Randolph Scott (Will), Slim Summerville (Jailer), Brian Donlevy (Barshee), Donald Meek (McCoy), Charles Tannen (Charlie Ford), Claire Du Brey (Mrs. Ford) and Henry Hull, in an energetic and memorable performance as Major Rufus Cobb. Compared to many of the westerns made in the past couple of decades or so, this film is rather antiseptic in it's presentation; that is to say it lacks the graphic visuals of say, "The Wild Bunch" or Eastwood's "Unforgiven." But "Jesse James" is satisfying entertainment that doesn't require or rely upon shocking realism to tell the story, but rather the talent and finesse of a great cast and a savvy director. It's a movie that will keep you involved, and Power and Fonda make it an especially enriching cinematic experience. In a very classic sense, this is the magic of the movies.

There was no surpise when the recent publication of the TOP 50 STARS list put HENRY FONDA in the top ten, because Henry Fonda is certainly one of the pantheon of Hollywood actors that defined the term "star." JESSE JAMES offers a delightful opportunity to go back to 1939 when the star many of us know as a grand old man was a breathtakingly handsome romantic lead. In this film Fonda has the second lead, playing Frank James, America's most famous romantic outlaw, with the characteristic understated warmth and dignity that would enoble his whole career. The real star of JESSE JAMES is Tyrone Power, sadly neglected by the TOP 50 LIST, but an actor of exceptional charm, charisma and talent as we can see from his performance in the title role. The two actors achieve a balance in their different styles that not only colours and enriches the story but creates a beautiful context of the love between two brothers. JESSE JAMES marked the beginning of a long collaboration between Power and director Henry King. King is barely remembered today, but he was an integral part of Hollywood history, making 116 films from the birth of cinema until the 1960's. He came from a rural background, evident in his silent classic, TOL'ABLE DAVID, and in JESSE JAMES he evokes a realistic portrait of farming folk just as he had in his earlier hit. He shows particular empathy for the hardships they faced, especially after the Civil War, a time when big business was taking over with carpetbagging tactics that crushed the small homesteaders who had tamed the frontier. This allows King to romanticize the outlaws into heroes in a tradition resonant in recent films like BONNIE AND CLYDE and BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. The film is particularly strong on character, creating a tragedy that ranks high in the great outlaw movies, like THE WILD BUNCH and UNFORGIVEN. Beautifully filmed in the glorious technicolor of the 1930's, JESSE JAMES contains breathtaking horseback riding sequences as well as the great Northfield Minnesota Raid, a bank robbery that stands up to the action films of today. The literate and considered screenplay is by Nunnally Johnson, who gave Fonda some of his most memorable moments in his adaptation of THE GRAPES OF WRATH. That was another film in which the luminescent Jane Darwell played Fonda's mother. John Carradine, illustrious father of David, Keith and Robert gives an inspired performance as Bob Ford, the man who shot Jesse James, a role entirely different from his famous portrayal of Casey in THE GRAPES OF WRATH. Also in the cast are the genteel and humble Randolph Scott and the deliciously evil Brian Donlevy. They are supported by the great character actors Henry Hull and Donald Meek who were part of an ensemble company of actors that remains the envy of filmakers today. The film and Fonda's performance as Frank were so strong that a sequel was made, THE RETURN OF FRANK JAMES, in which Frank seeks revenge for his murdered brother.JESSE JAMES helps us understand the enormous popularity of the Western, once the foundation of Hollywood movies. The film is beautiful and enthralling, entertaining as drama, action and even comedy. A rich canvas that deserves to be called a classic, JESSE JAMES is an opportunity to see the best work of some of the finest craftsmen of Hollywood's Golden Age.

I was expecting rich, vibrant Fox Technicolor, on a par with "Drums Along the Mohawk", and I could have dealt with some flicker and with modest print damage, but right from the opening scene, it was clear that this film had not been restored, that the Technicolor strips were damaged, and that the colors were off (and almost non-existent at times). As a result, I found it difficult to concentrate on the film; I kept thinking of how bad it looked and how much better it might have looked had the money been put into some sort of restoration. I've grown to have so much confidence in these Fox classics, and this is my first major letdown, so I'm hoping "The Return of Frank James" will turn out alright (though I was so disappointed with "Jesse" that I've toyed with the idea of returning "Frank").

Anyhow, sadly, I have to advise against getting this unless you don't care about the picture quality --- if PQ matters to you, you are bound to be disappointed.

Knowing that 20th Century Fox IS capable of quality restoration, as proven in their 30+ Studio Classics Series, I was let down by the amature color reproduction of what should be the magic that film's shot in technicolor produce. Of the two films from 20th Century, "Jesse James" and "The Return of Frank James", "Jesse James" is so poorly transferred to DVD that I had to remove all color from my television calibration panel and then adjust the picture for the best quality b&w that my Sony is capable of.

It is truly a shame when a company seems to arbitrarily decide to reproduce some classic films to their glorious original condition and then simply ignore others. In 1939 Tyrone Power was Hollywoods leading man. In The Mask of Zorro (Another 20th Century Fox film) the DVD transfer and restoration by 20th Century Fox was excellent. This is a sham and an insult to technicolor's genius. Those who enjoy film do not simply consider the plot to be the only critiera by which a film is enjoyed or judged. All elements of making a film from lighting, to composition, to color, sound, etc.. all play a part in a film's drama.

BUT NOT IN THIS PATHETIC LONG AWAITED TECHNICOLOR CLASSIC. I would not have purchased this film if I had known that it would look as if it had been stored in a cardboard box along with all the color family photos that now have a pale cyan/magenta cast, no detail in the shadows and an overall reproduction that makes most of the photos and film look as if it were shot at night. "The Return of Frank James" is still presented in rather good Technicolor (not its best either). The stories, no matter how historically fictional they may be, are sheer Western fun.

But that fun is diminished when the visual presentation of the stories are so poorly presented that one has to wonder if consistency of quality is a commitment by 20th Century Fox. You may want to think about buying "Jesse James" if you are a true film buff but if you still want another Tyrone Power classic for your DVD collection, remember you will probably have to remove ALL color and enjoy it in b&w.

I really like this film and it's sequel "The Return Of Frank James". I decided to upgrade from vhs to dvd for both titles. I was very disappointed to find that the dvd edition has very poor color. There's an overall dark tone and bluish cast to "Jesse James". On the other hand, "The Return Of Frank James" has great color. I tried these dvd's on 3 players just to be sure that my player or tv weren't out-of-balance. If you love the wonderful Technicolor films of this period, stick to the vhs edition of "Jesse James" or be prepared to turn your color button up as high as it will go to enjoy the dvd version. One would expect more from a major studio like Fox.

The film Jesse James is a superb Hollywood story of the folklore view of Jesse James. The transfer to DVD is sadly lacking in many respects. Colors are not enhanced, it is too dark in many spots, and the images are doubled in some instances. My VHS copy is better than the DVD. But this movie still remains the best of the Jesse James movies, simply due to such fine actors as Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda. Randolph Scott and Henry Hull have excellent, scene-stealing support roles.

1939 is considered by many critics and film conniseurs to be the most definitive year for films. some of the greatest films ever produced were released in 1939. the list is myriad, and for westerns this film is definitely included in that list.

even though this is a somewhat fictionalized account of the exploits of the James boys (Frank and Jesse), some of the events depicted are true. however, more fiction is depicted here than truth making this only entertaining western fare; but what entertainment it is. the story is so expertly told that it compels the viewer to become inevitable advocates for the James brothers cause. truly great filmmaking.

as for the DVD, to some degree i must debunk the reviews regarding the alleged poor transfer of this film to DVD. please do not allow those negative reviews to deter you from purchasing this film if it is of interest to you. several factors must be considered before criticizing a film. primarily, it's age. i realize that some films even older than this one are no less than pristine in their transfer. however, one must remember, in many of those films the original video and audio elements were still present or at least restorable. this film is nearly 70 years old and comprehensively a very good transfer with only a few scenes lacking in brilliance. it's not pristine or flawless but still worth owning. i believe some reviewers just expect too much.

After the Civil War the transcontinental railroads were built to link the West with the East. The film shows how railroad agents swindled people to sign over their land for a low price. If they didn't sell their land would be taken from them (eminent domain?). [The film omits the fact that the James brothers rode with William Quantrill's Raiders.] Jesse James calls for a meeting with the other farm owners. They will get a lawyer to defend them. But the railroad agents swear out a complaint and get deputized to eliminate the James problem. The film shows the bombing of the James home and the death of their mother. Jesse James takes revenge on the railroad agent, and becomes a wanted man. [St. Louis was pro-Union, the rural regions were mostly pro-Confederate.]

The St. Louis Midland Railroad is drawn by a classic 4-4-0 locomotive, but the coaches are more modern. A lone rider hops onto the last car and gets to halt the train. A gang robs the passengers in the coaches. [The James gang invented train robbery, but they never applied for a patent.] Civilization has brought lawyers to the county, and a newspaper owner rants against them. [In fact lawyers were among the earliest pioneers, they handled deeds, loans, and other legal work.] Jesse is warned about the path he's taken; killing and robbing will make him mean. Jesse marries Zerelda and surrenders to the US Marshal. But Jesse is double-crossed, the railroad owner gets martial law declared and a new judge will hang Jesse. Frank arranges to break Jesse out of jail. They are chased and throw out dollars that stops their pursuers so they can escape. Jesse and Zerelda are moving from town to town. [There is a hint as to Jesse's occupation.]

Jesse and Zerelda have a son. Zee returns to her home town. The governor offers an amnesty to anyone who will kill Jesse James, plus the reward. The planning for the Northfield bank job shows Jesse's mean streak. He is also taking too many risks. [This film creates the fiction that the Northfield bank got a warning so they prepared an ambush. The truth is that the well-armed citizens had no warning until somebody was shot by the bank.] The rapidly armed citizens greatly outnumbered the James gang and ended their robberies. Jesse James would never rob another bank. Bob Ford visited Jesse to tell about an easy bank job. The children's playing foretells the ending. [There is no mention of the Younger brothers.]

A fun movie to watch that added to the legend of Jesse James. Was he the Robin Hood of the west as the movie protrays? Who cares, this is just classic old time western fun. A great cast that Includes Tyrone Powers Jr., Henry Fonda and Randolph Scott!! That is three aces right there.Follow the adventures of the James boys as they are almost forced to attack the evil railroads and the robber barons that ran them. Doesn't that sound familar in this age where many people distrust the big corporations of today? Really though, do not get to philosophical over this. It is a western, and a good one at that.