I Shot Jesse James poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Preston S. Foster, Barbara Britton, John Ireland, Reed Hadley, J. Edward Bromberg ... see more see more... , Victor Kilian , Barbara Woodell , Tom Tyler , Tommy Noonan , Byron Foulger , Eddie Dunn , Jeni Le Gon , Robin Short , Gene Collins , Margia Dean , Chuck Roberson , Phillip Pine

This dark, gloomy Western chronicles the shame and self-destruction of Bob Ford, the real-life James Gang member that murdered Jesse James for the reward money. In this fictionalized account, James (R... read more read more...eed Hadley) tends to Ford (John Ireland) after he is wounded during a heist. When Ford's longtime love, Cynthy (Barbara Britton), gains a new admirer, he decides that settling down and buying a farm is the only way to win her for himself. He learns that the governor issued a 10,000-dollar reward and amnesty for Jesse's murder, and, after some deliberation, shoots his savior in the back when the outlaw turns to straighten a painting. Neither the government nor Cynthy takes kindly to his treachery: Ford is jailed, collects only 500 dollars, and is dumped. He is reduced to re-enacting the infamous murder in a stage show, hearing a traveling minstrel sing about his dirty deed, and running from the would-be gunfighters that hope to kill the man who shot Jesse James. The film follows Ford's vain attempts to achieve redemption and win back Cynthia's heart. I Shot Jesse James suffered through several casting related problems. Producer Robert L. Lippert refused to hire Lawrence Tierney, director Fuller's first choice to portray Ford. Barbara Woodell replaced Ann Doran as Jesse James' wife only days before production. Lastly, casting director, Yolanda Molinari's, name was misspelled "Yolondo" in the film's opening credits, making many believe that she was a man. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi

Flixster Users

75% liked it

876 ratings

Critics

78% liked it

9 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 23 min.

Directed by: Samuel Fuller

Release Date: February 26, 1949

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: August 21, 2007

Stats: 78 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

I Shot Jesse James I Shot Jesse James I Shot Jesse James I Shot Jesse James I Shot Jesse James I Shot Jesse James
Upload a Photo | View All I Shot Jesse James Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (78)

  • kenstachnik
    April 15, 2011
    kenstachnik
    Sam Fuller has a soft-ish side, who knew?
    Also the bathtub scene, almost as homo-erotic as Spartacus (almost).
  • mjgildea
    October 7, 2009
    mjgildea
    I Shot Jesse James deals more with the historically questionable exploits (i.e. the love story) of Robert Ford after killing Jesse James (who didn't come off that scary or legendary) than the lead up to the event itself. The brief relationship (in this movie at least) between Ja... read moremes and Ford is one of the most homoerotic things I've seen in 40s cinema. The post-James murder seems like it could've been any drama but just happened to have Robert Ford as one of the main characters. Samuel Fuller's direction is the main draw with this one because if you've seen The Assassination of Jesse James any other telling of the story is pretty much ruined for you. I Shot Jesse James isn't a great movie but reasonably groundbreaking for a 40s western.
  • rubystevens
    December 13, 2008
    rubystevens
    the title event takes place in the first twenty minutes and the rest of the film follows robert ford's haunted and hunted life after the fact. this was sam fuller's first film and it's one of his best imo
  • fb208103125
    December 12, 2011
    fb208103125
    As the legendary Samuel Fuller's debut film, "I Shot Jesse James" is a western with Fuller's trademark close-up shots and psychological aspects as well as the use of newspaper pages displaying various events. The film is filled with complete characters, especially John Ireland a... read mores Bob Ford who practically steals the film! While It's no secretary who and how Jesse James was killed, the film focuses on the aftermath and ensuing destruction of Bob Ford. There are many different linked characters and subplots but this is about one man's destiny after he betrays his best friend and partner for his own ambitions. I loved the pacing of the film and Fuller's touch, while not on full display, are already seeping in and what eventually garnered the critical acclaim he later would receive. If you're a fan of Fuller, westerns, or even dramas this is a great work done by the gifted Samuel Fuller when he first set out directing and shouldn't be missed!
  • patrickdol
    May 9, 2008
    patrickdol
    This film seems to has more in common with your pulp crime novel than your average western. Even the direction seems rather unique to the genre, and maybe has elements of film noir.
    Either way it's quite a good watch, and a short one too. I haven't seen much Sam Fuller, but afte... read morer this and Shock Corridor, I know I need to.
  • hossein13
    December 29, 2010
    hossein13
    Dec 2010 (with Kia) - This is is Fuller's debut and it is amazing just as that. There is definitely an artificial feeling with the movie in the beginning. But it gets much better when we see ourselves deeper into the character of Bob Ford. We see how Jesse James' ghost follows hi... read morem and how he cannot get away. I loved it at the end when in the duel like scene, we are reminded again that he shot Jesse James from behind. It was also fascinating to learn how much of the story has really happened.
  • thrusz
    August 23, 2007
    thrusz
    It's bizarre watching this movie. The budget and style is that of the B-Movie westerns, but Fuller is defenitely seen in the dark edge to this movie. Act one is a little weak, but the rest of the movie is absolutely fantastic. I can't agree that Ford is described as sympatheti... read morec, so that confuses me. Outside of that, this movie is fantastic.

View All I Shot Jesse James Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
March 5, 2009
Variety Staff, Variety

While Preston Foster and Barbara Britton carry star roles, it's John Ireland, as the notorious Bob Ford, who dominates the story. Full Review

Thomas M. Pryor
December 12, 2007
Thomas M. Pryor, New York Times

A commonplace movie. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
July 26, 2010
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

Arresting Full Review

January 12, 2010
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Fuller uses effective close-ups in this stylish western, giving a fresh psychological twist to familiar narrative ground. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
October 4, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The focus of this delightfully perverse character study Western is not on Jesse James, but on Bob Ford being a man cursed by his infamy as a Judas figure. Full Review

Tim Brayton
September 30, 2007
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

Fuller points out the absurdity of the entire concept of modern myth-making, and kicks off the grand tradition of subversive neo-Westerns. Full Review

August 25, 2007
Time Out

As such, more a psychological drama (emphasised by the use of close-up) than a Western, and a highly original film. Full Review

Christopher Null
August 25, 2007
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Interesting mainly because it's Samuel Fuller's first film, showing off a few of his trademark touches -- but not enough to make the movie stand on its own. Full Review

Keith Uhlich
August 22, 2007
Keith Uhlich, House Next Door

Fuller goes deeper into his protagonist's tortured psyche, uncovering a sublimated sense of love that only finds expression as climax to his death rattle. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
    The Assassination of Jesse James by the Cowar... (98%)
  • Jesse James' Hidden Treasure
    Jesse James' Hidden Treasure (100%)
  • Adventures of Frank and Jesse James
    Adventures of Frank and Jesse James (100%)
  • Days of Jesse James
    Days of Jesse James (100%)

More Movies like I Shot Jesse James

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

I Shot Jesse Jame... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for I Shot Jesse James. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add I Shot Jesse James to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?