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The True Story of Jesse James

The True Story of Jesse James

The real story… really told for the first time!

19576.31h 32m

Overview

Having fought with the Confederacy during the Civil War, Jesse James and his brother Frank dream of a farm life in Missouri. Harassed by Union sympathizers, they assemble a gang of outlaws, robbing trains and becoming folk heroes in the process. Jesse marries his sweetheart, Zee, and maintains an aura of domesticity, but after a group of lawmen launch an attack on his mother's house, Jesse plans one more great raid -- on a Minnesota bank.

Directed by Nicholas Ray
Written by Walter Newman, Nunnally Johnson
0

Top Cast

Robert Wagner

Robert Wagner

Jesse James

Jeffrey Hunter

Jeffrey Hunter

Frank James

Hope Lange

Hope Lange

Zee James

Agnes Moorehead

Agnes Moorehead

Mrs. Samuel

Alan Hale Jr.

Alan Hale Jr.

Cole Younger

Alan Baxter

Alan Baxter

Barney Remington

John Carradine

John Carradine

Rev. Jethro Bailey

Rachel Stephens

Rachel Stephens

Anne James

Barney Phillips

Barney Phillips

Dr. Samuel

Biff Elliot

Biff Elliot

Jim Younger

Themes & Keywords

jesse james

About The True Story of Jesse James

The True Story of Jesse James is a western film released in 1957 exploring themes of jesse james. Directed by Nicholas Ray, it stars Robert Wagner, Jeffrey Hunter, Hope Lange. Having fought with the Confederacy during the Civil War, Jesse James and his brother Frank dream of a farm life in Missouri. Harassed by Union sympathizers, they assemble a gang of outlaws, robbing trains and becoming folk heroes in the process. Jesse marries his sweetheart, Zee, and maintains an aura of domesticity, but after a group of lawmen launch an attack on his mother's house, Jesse plans one more great raid -- on a Minnesota bank.

Movies Similar to The True Story of Jesse James

Discover titles like The True Story of Jesse James — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to The True Story of Jesse James

If you enjoyed The True Story of Jesse James, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of The True Story of Jesse James.

I Shot Jesse James
56% Match

Bob Ford murders his best friend Jesse James in order to obtain a pardon that will free him to marry his girlfriend Cynthy. The guilt-stricken Ford soon finds himself greeted with derision and open mockery throughout town. He travels to Colorado to try his hand at prospecting in hopes that marriage with Cynthy is still in the cards.

American Outlaws
49% Match

When a Midwest town learns that a corrupt railroad baron has captured the deeds to their homesteads without their knowledge, a group of young ranchers join forces to take back what is rightfully theirs. They will become the object of the biggest manhunt in the history of the Old West and, as their fame grows, so will the legend of their leader, a young outlaw by the name of Jesse James.

The Long Riders
46% Match

The origins, exploits and the ultimate fate of the James gang is told in a sympathetic portrayal of the bank robbers made up of brothers who begin their legendary bank raids because of revenge.

The Law and Jake Wade
11% Match

Jake Wade breaks Clint Hollister out of jail to pay off an old debt, though it's clear there is some pretty deep hostility between them. They part, and Jake returns to his small-town marshal's job and his fiancée only to find he has been tracked there by Hollister. It seems they were once in a gang together and Jake knows where the proceeds of a bank hold-up are hidden. Hollister and his sidekicks make off into the hills, taking along the trussed-up marshal and his kidnapped bride-to-be to force the lawman to show them where the loot is.

The Bravados
10% Match

Jim Douglass arrives in the small town of Rio Arriba in order to witness the hanging of the four men he believes murdered his wife. When the convicts escape, Jim tracks them into Mexico, determined to see that justice is done. But the farther Jim goes in his quest for vengeance, the more merciless he becomes, losing himself in an unrelenting spiral of hatred and violence.

Duel at Diablo
10% Match

In Apache territory, a supply Army column heads for the next fort, an ex-scout searches for the killer of his Native wife, and a housewife abandons her husband to rejoin her Apache lover's tribe.

El Dorado
10% Match

El Dorado(1966)

Movie7.4/10

Cole Thornton, a gunfighter for hire, joins forces with an old friend, Sheriff J.P. Harrah. Together with a fighter and a gambler, they help a rancher and his family fight a rival rancher that is trying to steal their water.

Barquero
10% Match

Barquero(1970)

Movie6.2/10

Jake Remy leads a gang of outlaw cutthroats making their escape toward Mexico from a successful robbery. Barring their way is a river--crossable only by means of a ferry barge. The barge operator, Travis, refuses to be bullied into providing transport for the gang and escapes across river with most of the local populace--leaving Remy and his gang behind, desperately seeking a way across. A river-wide stand-off begins between the gang and the townspeople, both groups of which have left people on the wrong side of the river.

True Grit
10% Match

True Grit(1969)

Movie7.3/10

The murder of her father sends a teenage tomboy on a mission of 'justice', which involves avenging her father's death. She recruits a tough old marshal, 'Rooster' Cogburn because he has 'true grit', and a reputation of getting the job done.

Lawman
10% Match

Lawman(1971)

Movie6.5/10

While passing through the town of Bannock, a bunch of drunken cattlemen go overboard with their celebrating and accidentally kill an old man with a stray shot. They return home to Sabbath unaware of his death. Bannock lawman Jered Maddox later arrives there to arrest everyone involved on a charge of murder. Sabbath is run by land baron Vince Bronson, a benevolent despot, who, upon hearing of the death, offers restitution for the incident.