This masterful film will go down as one of the most criminally underrated masterpieces ever made. A powerful haunting movie that is packed with great performances...& also very very funny at times. Only the dim witted will be bored.
+3434arc1 underrated? not so much, considering every single person who sees the film says exactly the same thing as you. one of the major flaws in gauging a films worth is expecting some sort of credit to come from it's success. art only dies when it doesn't have an audience, not when it fails to garner awards.
- On Jesse's grave "Murdered by a Traitor and Coward whose name is not worthy to appear here" - On Bob's grave "The man who shot Jesse james" -On O'Kelley's grave " The man who killed the man who killed Jesse James"
I think this whole movie was a eulogie for Bob.Bob was the main character and the one that the movie allowed us to explore.Jesse was more of a figure type,and the movie wanted us to perceive Jesse from the eyes of Robert Ford
The ending of this film is absolutely heartbreaking; Robert Ford has to be the most fantastically tragic character ever portrayed in a western. There is no romance, no lesson in his passing. His fear, his vain ambition, and his self-deprication and reflection make him entirely believable and human. Sad. No other word for it. It's just a sad story.
Replying to this 10 year old comment to say I agree. Robert Ford's story was so sad, and even still, the popular consensus is that he was a coward. He was bullied by his psychotic idol, people to this very day believe Jesse to be some sort of Robin Hood-esque character, when really, he was a deeply troubled, violent, unpredictable monster. At least, that was my interpretation of Jesse's character. Jesse had killed so many people, friends and all, due to his paranoia and it was only a matter of time before he turned on Robert. Robert stood up to his bully, and is forever branded a coward because of it.
It is 1 of the saddest stories. Everyone became in a predicament that ended in heartbreak for every single character. Backstabbing & rumors. Then again James was a stone cold killer & villain so it’s not like dude killed a saint.
"There would be no eulogies for Bob, no photographs of his body would be sold in sundries stores, no people would crowd the streets in the rain to see his funeral cortege, no biographies would be written about him, no children named after him, no one would ever pay twenty-five cents to stand in the rooms he grew up in. "
I'm the guy who would because I don't find Jesse any better than him I'm just a man who loves the history and humanity of these men Bob would always have my tours if they'd host them
What I love is that final line, about Robert trying to find the right words. Where Jessie James became legendary by a simple forgettable "Don't that picture look dusty." Robert Ford as he laid dying wanted to find a final dying sentence that would mean something. It didn't happen, because he was no legend like he wanted to be. Love this movie.
I feel bad for Jesse but also for Robert. I came out of the movie with a strange sadness. I can't put my finger on it. But this movie is just the best movie ever made.
Not everyone can see it but this movie is all about Robert Ford. The character development is just amazing. Towards the end of the film you can't help it but feel somehow identified with him. He was just a kid, desperately reaching for success and seeking approval from everyone and got the exact opposite by being too greedy and cowardly and maybe even too immature. You can't help but feel bad for him. I can't hold my tears every time I watch the final scenes. It's definitely my favorite film of all time.
Exactly. Robert Ford is only remembered as a coward. Truth was, he was a kid in a dangerous time. He did something he thought was right and he'd be seen as a hero and a celebrity. Just dreams of a child....
@@philm0graphythe ‘coward’ bit is to mimic the sort of grand hyperbolic headlines of the period. ‘Greatest show on earth’ etc. things like that. But yes also for the reason you mention
I found this movie, not boring, but extremely moving. The James brothers and the others are not shown as card board characters with one dimensional personalities. For the the 'Fast and the Furious" crowd this film is boring, but this film has attempted to take us back to another time of U.S. history. I was born and raised in a rural area and this film nails it. For most of the U.S. history, for the younger people, most people did not live in cities,but in small towns or alone on farms/ranches/etc. This is one the of best film I have seen in decades, and it shows that Hollywood can produce art instead of junk.
Vincent Fisher Im not part of the Fast & Furious crowd, but I have to admit, when I first saw the film, I found it a little slow & boring. Been watching reruns of it on Grit TV, and Im starting to appreciate it more. Especially Casey Affleck role as Ford.
@@voodoochef100 thats the point he was talking about,you found it slow and boring but that was life back then,the west wasnt the movie you see where everybody shoots ,street duel and that other crap hollywood makes you believe,,this is one of the best movie i ever saw,i watched it like 50 times..masterpiece
In this scene unfolds one of the most brilliantly written character pieces of modern cinema. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have broken the rules of soundtrack making. Normally incidental music, soundtrack music aims to describe a situation, paint a mood or reveal the inner recesses of an elusive character. Song for Bob does the impossible... With its slow moving melody, it's languorous strings pleading us to open our heart. We are asked to feel sympathy for this character who we come to accept as been played by forces bigger then him and robbed of his dreams of friendship and his destiny of glory. It is a path where the hero turns back and see a past full of laughter and hopes, looks ahead to contemplate a bright future with the same hopes and laughter but only fading wretchedly. As past and future assail him he is forced to contemplate his present walk of shame. Each piano notes being a step taken alone, his hurt deepened. This truly exemplifies the power of carefully crafted music. Assassinating Jesse James was not a mistake and yet the fates have condemned Bob. The marriage of all the voices paint a man who fights against all odds. The strength with which he carries on is demonstrated by the strong bass. The piano comes back as the hopeful breaths he takes as he faces scornful eyes mirrored and adversity in the marriage of the strings. Branded a traitor despite the service he has rendered to society he suffers and And yet he has not given on life, love and respectability. And this scene forces us... no invites us to accept, respect, applaud this until our hearts cry foul play and demand a kinder faith for Bob. We are left with one question... Does Bob deserves this faith? We know not but we are undeniably left shaken, moved, transformed and more compassionate.
John McLean I appreciate it so much. In all honesty, it's hard not to feel compassion for Bob. I really wanted to write about how the music helps us understand that when everything has been said and done Bob is a victim of fate, his admiration for Jesse.
cerpintaxman my friend you honor me. I actually went back and imagine the narrator reading it and that made me smile. I'm glad you enjoyed my ideas on this tragic end. Do you listen to a lot of movie soundtracks?
Here and there, but not too much. More than anything, I tend to listen to individual songs. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford's soundtrack however is different, in that even when I first watched the movie it stood out to me. I'd probably regard it as my favorite.
Casey Afflek has so much unused potential. I really wish that studios took him more seriously. His performance here is absolutely heartbreaking without at all being cliche. I mean, he goes so far as to portray an iconic villain in history as being a very vulnerable, almost understandable human being. You can't help but sympathize with the man by the film's conclusion.
The reason this film is so good is because it is not simply about jesse james and robert ford but it also explores the idea and cult of being a "celebrity" - just as this scene shows perfectly !
On 8 June 1892, while Robert Ford was preparing to open his saloon, Edward Capehart O’Kelley, nicknamed "Red" walked into the tent with a shotgun. Ford was turned away from the front entrance. O’Kelley called out, "Hello, Bob." As Ford turned around to see who spoke, O’Kelley fired his shotgun, hitting Ford in the neck and killing him instantly. O’Kelley never explained why he had shot Ford. According to one account, O’Kelley married a relative of the Younger Brothers Gang and became friends with Jesse James, who became a cousin by marriage. Edward O’Kelley was initially imprisoned for life, though his sentence was later reduced to 18 years. In the end, O’Kelley served only around 9 years at the Colorado State Penitentiary before being released due, firstly, to a 7,000-signature petition in favor of his release, and, secondly, to a medical condition. - from Wikipedia
If this movie deserves credit for anything, if you deny all the other areas that it performs incredibly well in such as cinematography, musical score, or acting, if you ignore anything else and distill this to one point as to why this film is better than other films I would say it is one of the few films that can honestly claim that the narration added emotional impact to the film rather than detract or act like a crutch.
I could not agreed with you more. It's absolutely perfect. My other (completely different) use of VO is in the first minute of this scene. ua-cam.com/video/_VseQe4TFsg/v-deo.html
Probably one of the most hauntingly genuine portrayals of the men who lived in those times. There was little regard for understanding back in those times. Parenting was about being beaten and hardened into a set of values that centered around discipline, faith, and very hard work in order to survive. Robert Ford, deeply unsatisfied with the life that he inhabits, sought for affection and nothing more than an understanding he was deprived of. It was the driving force behind his quest for glory.
I'd say we need to go back and bring those values at the forefront. The chaos and degenracy of today is because of this tolerance and acceptance culture.
@@nasiransari9761 There was plenty of chaos, lawlessness, and degeneracy then too. That's why people opened saloons anywhere near a work camp of mostly men.
@@DarkFilmDirector Yes, both periods have degeneracy, but the point is today we almost completely lack the values of 'discipline, faith, and very hard work', and because of this this I would argue the degeneracy of today is orders of magnitude greater. Also you can sympathize with Bob, but not excuse him as a mere 'victim' of lack of affection and understanding. With said 'discipline, faith, and very hard work' he could have had plenty of affection and understanding, through self-pride, community and family. Instead Bob sought recognition falsely, and ended with self-contempt, alienation and loneliness. It's still tragic to watch, which is why the movie is so well done, but he did choose his fate.
I can't stress enough how brilliant this film is. Everything about it is just perfect. No matter what mood I'm in, I start watching this film and I'm just taken away
Should have won an Oscar! This is my favorite movie by far. The music is great, the acting is terrific, the story is deep, the narration is perfect, the cinema photography is visually striking, and above all else... it's real.
I actually felt the beauty of the movie, from the scene, the narration, actors' charm and the story itself, specially the music. The movie deserves every compliments.
Truly may be the greatest ending to any film, from one of the greatest films of all time--and so tragically, criminally under-seen and under-appreciated. This is art of a rare and high form
Such a great movie. One of my favourites. "Robert Ford, a gunman Did exchange for his parole Took the life of James the outlaw Which he snuck up on and stole No one knows just where they came to be misunderstood But the poor Missouri farmers knew Frank and Jesse do the best they could."
The like/dislike ratio on this is by far one of the best I have seen on any UA-cam video, period. And rightfully so, I regard this as one the greatest (perhaps the greatest) cinematic scenes of all time.
Beautifully crafted movie. Fantastic cast and well produced...and for me Casey Affleck was mesmerising in his role of Bob Ford. Such a tragic story (for all concerned) A truly stunning film.
From the scene where he's passing through the bar and then the last scene, you might notice the difference in sets. Bob Ford's saloon had burned down at that time, and he was forced to run a new saloon from a tent.
I don't care what people say. This film is beautiful, a realistic way of portraying how the public viewed Jesse James after he was killed and how they despised Robert Ford for it even though Jesse James did nothing for them. People say it's 'too long'. But it engages you in those 2 and a half hours and the time allows you to see a transformation within the characters' minds. I love this film. One of my favorites of all time.
"...Robert Ford would only lay on the floor and look at the ceiling, the light going out of his eyes, before he could find the right words..." a poignant masterpiece ... there are Robert Fords living and dying every day ...
Sad ending to a beautiful movie. Throughout the film Bob Ford really does come off as a coward, and you end up hating him, but then by the time this scene comes around you can't help but feel sorry for him.
Jessie wanted true friendship from Bob, and accepted death when he realized he could never have it.. In essence when Bob pulled the trigger, he not only killed Jessie, but a piece of himself, the only piece that was real, sealing his own fate to live the same vacant life as Jessie. A curse of sorts to be something the world views you to be, other then just a man with nothing.
On release from prison Edward O'kelly reutrn to a life of crime and got into a fight with an officer of the law who shot and killed him, His final resting place was marked "The man who shot the man who shot Jessie James", many years later the officer of the law died of old age and his finally resting place was marked "The man who shot the man who shot the man who shot Jesse james" Real story lol
Completely holds up. I haven't seen this film in many years but other than watching the full length feature quite a few times I must have definitely made repeat visits to this UA-cam video because I got like 95% of the dialogue as it was coming. The whole film is a masterpiece and the ending is (for my money) basically perfect, but the narration...it just stays with you. Very powerful. I didn't even realise I actually can name the governor of Colorado in 1902, the year in which O'Kelly was released when James B Ormond would pardon the man....(also that he came up from Batchelor at 1pm on the 8th. I don't know what state, or even what it was the 8th of...but these lines are ingrained in the memory!)
For anyone wanting more, the book is a fantastic read and is where most of the script and heartbreaking narration comes from. I can only imagine that the 4 hour unreleased directors cut is the rest of the book set to Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' magnificent score (which was shamefully robbed of an Oscar by a stupid technicality)
Man, this was just a solid movie from beginning right up until the ending. Very rarely does a movie give its viewers such a grim but peaceful closure. Well done
At 58 I can count the number of film soundtracks I have purchased on one hand and have fingers left over. The soundtrack to Jesse James, by Nick Cave is one of them.
@Scorberg How the hell can you not like the narration?! Dominik placed it perfectly, and it added SO much. Hugh Ross can narrate my life any time. ("He was living in the state of Maine then, wanting to smoke a cigar down in the evening, but refraining for health reasons . . . ") Seriously, this is one of the greatest movies of all time--the ending hits me hard in the heart and the head, as do many, many others. There aren't many films that make you both think and feel so much.
I love this film. What a thing of beauty! Bought the 2-disc edition DVD, never regretted it. Loaned it to my former flatmate, who thought it was gonna be boring but ended up loving it. He said he could relate to Bob Ford in some ways. Showed it to my sister, who also fell in love with this masterpiece. I'm in love with its lush soundtrack as well - love it so much, I could play a couple of the tracks on my violin. Sensational prologue. Beautifully executed epilogue.
It said that a murderer like Jesse James can be a hero but a man like Robert ford who essentially did the world a favor is a villain but the fact that the film portrays both them as just men and nothing else is really quite amazing
The only ending of a Western that has ever moved me to tears. Truly haunting, heartbreaking and unforgettable ending to a beautiful film. Now one of my ten favourite movies of all time.
I like that they portray Edward O Kelly for what he was. Dude was a psychopath that wanted attention. After being released he was arrested several times before being killed trying to murder a police officer. Not even for a reason. The cop said "good evening" and he responded by pulling a gun and trying to kill the dude.
Hello Bob. I know nothing about Jesse James, but IMO the movie portrays Jesse as knowing/wanting to be killed when he gets up on that chair to fix that picture. So I'm not sure how Robert Ford is branded a coward. It would also appear that the following years after Robert killed Jesse, he was doomed to live in his own personal hell.
Robert did what he had to do Jesse was going to kill him.. Jesse was a ruthless person.. He's also a distant ancestor of mine.. The war took a toll on Jesse sanity..
Love the line ""you can kill Jesse James but you can't be Jesse James"" line was perfect who ever write the screen play was brilliant in this imo it's slow but the acting from Brad and Casey with that screen play is beyond brilliant this movie is underrated asf imo
"Your'e wearing that stickpin again there, Bob. Opals are unlucky" "Well it's not very good as it is Marty I don't think an Opals gonna change that much" "I hear ya"
When Robert Ford says "Luck's quite bad as it is, Marty, I don't think Opal's really gonna change that much" Did anyone else hear Marty reply "I hear ya" it's like 2 seconds later, and really quiet. I guess you tend to pick up on things when you've seen this clip over 50 times...
this is, simply, utterly and completely, one of the best films ever created; it is also the first film of this decade to be truly worthy of the overused and otherwise meaningless work masterpiece.
Incredible. I could relate to Robert Ford...I felt like I understood him, I know that if I were in the same position I would have done the same thing... it seems like youre on an adventure with Jesse James but this film is never about that. You are on a journey with Robert Ford, and his transformation, and demise, were perfectly captured. Brilliant
When I first saw this film, I was underwhelmed. Then after a second viewing (and a third), I thought it to be perhaps the greatest American film of the last decade. I really can't put my finger on it, but thanks for posting.
I found the ending to this movie to be something else. This is a very underrated film and with scenes like this in the movie it should have gotten more credit. People can say that it was too long or boring but they don't know what they're talking about because they never gave this film a fair chance.
The narration in this movie is wonderful, but I would love to watch this clip without the narration. Just the images and the music. I imagine it would be even more haunting.
How is a film so perfect in ever way - casting, acting, cinematography, costume & set design (super authentic), narration, grounding, plot, pacing, direction, music - so massively overlooked? The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - proof that the Academy Awards are a sham.
This moving captures the emotions of all the characters in so much depth its amazing. The narration is the best I've ever seen. Cant say enough great things about this movie. Well done.
"THERE WOULD BE NO EULOGY FOR BOB" those words yell loudly about the story of Bob Ford while the myth and legend of the man he killed Jesse James grew he slipped into history as a footnote that reads "Bob Ford the man who killed Jesse James"
This movie is just....amazing, in all aspects, Brad is terrific (i think it's his best performance ever) and Cassey (Loved him on Ocean's saga) is just huge. The whole movie is a western but with few shots, straight to the key thing of the entire experience: the drama. The sorrow and pain of the West, those hard times and bad times, when you needed to kill to not be killed. We're all victims of fate, and this movie is just about this matter. Wonderful film.
one of the most underrated movies ever
Yes Sir! How do you know?
Yes Sir! Underrated meaning very little awards season buzz or critical acclaim.
Dirk Reurslag That Film is a Masterpiece
This masterful film will go down as one of the most criminally underrated masterpieces ever made. A powerful haunting movie that is packed with great performances...& also very very funny at times. Only the dim witted will be bored.
+3434arc1 underrated? not so much, considering every single person who sees the film says exactly the same thing as you. one of the major flaws in gauging a films worth is expecting some sort of credit to come from it's success. art only dies when it doesn't have an audience, not when it fails to garner awards.
+TRAILERSPOT think he meant Financially & Oscar wins.
+3434arc1 this is easily my favorite movie.
@@ryan4butler1 underrated as in low popularity.
@@ryan4butler1 No, I have a good friend who hated the film. And he generally has good taste in films. As for me, this is one of my favourite movies.
- On Jesse's grave
"Murdered by a Traitor and Coward whose name is not worthy to appear here"
- On Bob's grave
"The man who shot Jesse james"
-On O'Kelley's grave
" The man who killed the man who killed Jesse James"
Just because you shot Jesse James, doesn’t make you Jesse James
So glad I saw this comment, someone else saw the poetry
-On Officer Burnett of the OKC police department's grave
"The man, who killed the man, who killed the man, who killed Jesse James.
Movie endings don't get better than this.
Hard to think of one, but 'The Right Stuff' comes to mind. Very different in tone, of course.
A river runs through it
The searchers
No they don't.
Here you have it, folks. The greatest movie ever made.
true :')
100 percent
I wouldn't argue, it's near perfect.
Maybe.
Amen.
The narration is extremely well done in this movie.
The narration is what elevates this movie. That and the music.
It's because it was done neutrally by a guy who was just reading the script not knowing the atmosphere of the scenes.
Joey Keys Makes sense and yet ironic somehow
"Hello Bob" - a line so simple but it hits you because you understand how things are and know what's coming
"looking at his destiny in every king... and jack"
What a perfect line. Captures the entire movie and much of the pretension of the audience.
I think this whole movie was a eulogie for Bob.Bob was the main character and the one that the movie allowed us to explore.Jesse was more of a figure type,and the movie wanted us to perceive Jesse from the eyes of Robert Ford
beautiful take. this comment is ancient, but still, i appreciate it.
The ending of this film is absolutely heartbreaking; Robert Ford has to be the most fantastically tragic character ever portrayed in a western. There is no romance, no lesson in his passing. His fear, his vain ambition, and his self-deprication and reflection make him entirely believable and human. Sad. No other word for it. It's just a sad story.
Replying to this 10 year old comment to say I agree. Robert Ford's story was so sad, and even still, the popular consensus is that he was a coward. He was bullied by his psychotic idol, people to this very day believe Jesse to be some sort of Robin Hood-esque character, when really, he was a deeply troubled, violent, unpredictable monster. At least, that was my interpretation of Jesse's character. Jesse had killed so many people, friends and all, due to his paranoia and it was only a matter of time before he turned on Robert. Robert stood up to his bully, and is forever branded a coward because of it.
It is 1 of the saddest stories. Everyone became in a predicament that ended in heartbreak for every single character. Backstabbing & rumors. Then again James was a stone cold killer & villain so it’s not like dude killed a saint.
"There would be no eulogies for Bob, no photographs of his body would be sold in sundries stores, no people would crowd the streets in the rain to see his funeral cortege, no biographies would be written about him, no children named after him, no one would ever pay twenty-five cents to stand in the rooms he grew up in. "
What an amazing finale, and yet here we are watching a movie about Bob
I'm the guy who would because I don't find Jesse any better than him I'm just a man who loves the history and humanity of these men Bob would always have my tours if they'd host them
@@mariamiram2369 the Movie is about Jesse not Bob
@@desirewithinusI doubt it, I think it centers on Bob
What I love is that final line, about Robert trying to find the right words. Where Jessie James became legendary by a simple forgettable "Don't that picture look dusty." Robert Ford as he laid dying wanted to find a final dying sentence that would mean something. It didn't happen, because he was no legend like he wanted to be. Love this movie.
Great point
Damn, I never made the connection, excellent insight!!
I think the final words that came to him as a just, next day headline is the title of the film.
As he lay dying*
Yeah exactly but this film points out the randomness and futility of “legacy” or “legend”.
I feel bad for Jesse but also for Robert. I came out of the movie with a strange sadness. I can't put my finger on it. But this movie is just the best movie ever made.
+Ysabel Castro Is it? You loved it, and commented on every single TAOJJBTCRF video on UA-cam. Time to get over it, girl.
john smith So wait.. You're stalking me? Well then
john smith And if I love it what does that have to do with you? NOTHING! I want to comment and enjoy it if you don't like it then leave.
+Ysabel Castro you are beautiful
Masih Zuidholland thank you
god, the narration from 2:43 on is absolutely heartbreaking. one of the most powerful endings i've ever seen.
i really felt sorry for Bob. What a masterpiece what a great movie. absolutely the best performance of Casey Affleck.
I didn’t. He didn’t have to do it.
The best performance of Casey? Uh, no, it's the best performance ever captured on film
Not everyone can see it but this movie is all about Robert Ford. The character development is just amazing. Towards the end of the film you can't help it but feel somehow identified with him. He was just a kid, desperately reaching for success and seeking approval from everyone and got the exact opposite by being too greedy and cowardly and maybe even too immature. You can't help but feel bad for him. I can't hold my tears every time I watch the final scenes. It's definitely my favorite film of all time.
i felt satisfaction when Coward Ford was finally shot on the face.
Exactly. Robert Ford is only remembered as a coward. Truth was, he was a kid in a dangerous time. He did something he thought was right and he'd be seen as a hero and a celebrity. Just dreams of a child....
The title calls him a coward, only to change your prospective throughout the film
@@philm0graphythe ‘coward’ bit is to mimic the sort of grand hyperbolic headlines of the period. ‘Greatest show on earth’ etc. things like that.
But yes also for the reason you mention
@@cicerogsuphoesdown7723 true, I also realized after writing this comment that the movie is based off a book which gave it that title
I found this movie, not boring, but extremely moving. The James brothers and the others are not shown as card board characters with one dimensional personalities. For the the 'Fast and the Furious" crowd this film is boring, but this film has attempted to take us back to another time of U.S. history. I was born and raised in a rural area and this film nails it. For most of the U.S. history, for the younger people, most people did not live in cities,but in small towns or alone on farms/ranches/etc.
This is one the of best film I have seen in decades, and it shows that Hollywood can produce art instead of junk.
Vincent Fisher Im not part of the Fast & Furious crowd, but I have to admit, when I first saw the film, I found it a little slow & boring. Been watching reruns of it on Grit TV, and Im starting to appreciate it more. Especially Casey Affleck role as Ford.
@@voodoochef100 thats the point he was talking about,you found it slow and boring but that was life back then,the west wasnt the movie you see where everybody shoots ,street duel and that other crap hollywood makes you believe,,this is one of the best movie i ever saw,i watched it like 50 times..masterpiece
One of my all time favourite scenes in cinema.
The ending was hypnotic/mesmerising. Even the credits and song at the end add to it.
In this scene unfolds one of the most brilliantly written character pieces of modern cinema. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have broken the rules of soundtrack making. Normally incidental music, soundtrack music aims to describe a situation, paint a mood or reveal the inner recesses of an elusive character. Song for Bob does the impossible... With its slow moving melody, it's languorous strings pleading us to open our heart. We are asked to feel sympathy for this character who we come to accept as been played by forces bigger then him and robbed of his dreams of friendship and his destiny of glory.
It is a path where the hero turns back and see a past full of laughter and hopes, looks ahead to contemplate a bright future with the same hopes and laughter but only fading wretchedly. As past and future assail him he is forced to contemplate his present walk of shame. Each piano notes being a step taken alone, his hurt deepened.
This truly exemplifies the power of carefully crafted music. Assassinating Jesse James was not a mistake and yet the fates have condemned Bob. The marriage of all the voices paint a man who fights against all odds. The strength with which he carries on is demonstrated by the strong bass. The piano comes back as the hopeful breaths he takes as he faces scornful eyes mirrored and adversity in the marriage of the strings.
Branded a traitor despite the service he has rendered to society he suffers and And yet he has not given on life, love and respectability. And this scene forces us... no invites us to accept, respect, applaud this until our hearts cry foul play and demand a kinder faith for Bob.
We are left with one question... Does Bob deserves this faith? We know not but we are undeniably left shaken, moved, transformed and more compassionate.
+Gerard Beaubrun Wonderfully crafted comment, agree with it all, especially the last 2 paragraphs!
Beautifully put, man. I read the your comment in the narrator's voice.
John McLean I appreciate it so much. In all honesty, it's hard not to feel compassion for Bob.
I really wanted to write about how the music helps us understand that when everything has been said and done Bob is a victim of fate, his admiration for Jesse.
cerpintaxman my friend you honor me. I actually went back and imagine the narrator reading it and that made me smile.
I'm glad you enjoyed my ideas on this tragic end.
Do you listen to a lot of movie soundtracks?
Here and there, but not too much. More than anything, I tend to listen to individual songs. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford's soundtrack however is different, in that even when I first watched the movie it stood out to me. I'd probably regard it as my favorite.
Casey Afflek has so much unused potential. I really wish that studios took him more seriously. His performance here is absolutely heartbreaking without at all being cliche. I mean, he goes so far as to portray an iconic villain in history as being a very vulnerable, almost understandable human being. You can't help but sympathize with the man by the film's conclusion.
He is not underrated.. He is an agressive actor.. Manchester by the sea is one it. He is exclusive
@@abhii1000don’t forget that they wrote this comment around 2012-2011. A lot of Casey’s best body of work hadn’t been released at the time
The reason this film is so good is because it is not simply about jesse james and robert ford but it also explores the idea and cult of being a "celebrity" - just as this scene shows perfectly !
On 8 June 1892, while Robert Ford was preparing to open his saloon, Edward Capehart O’Kelley, nicknamed "Red" walked into the tent with a shotgun. Ford was turned away from the front entrance. O’Kelley called out, "Hello, Bob." As Ford turned around to see who spoke, O’Kelley fired his shotgun, hitting Ford in the neck and killing him instantly.
O’Kelley never explained why he had shot Ford. According to one account, O’Kelley married a relative of the Younger Brothers Gang and became friends with Jesse James, who became a cousin by marriage.
Edward O’Kelley was initially imprisoned for life, though his sentence was later reduced to 18 years. In the end, O’Kelley served only around 9 years at the Colorado State Penitentiary before being released due, firstly, to a 7,000-signature petition in favor of his release, and, secondly, to a medical condition.
- from Wikipedia
If this movie deserves credit for anything, if you deny all the other areas that it performs incredibly well in such as cinematography, musical score, or acting, if you ignore anything else and distill this to one point as to why this film is better than other films I would say it is one of the few films that can honestly claim that the narration added emotional impact to the film rather than detract or act like a crutch.
I could not agreed with you more. It's absolutely perfect. My other (completely different) use of VO is in the first minute of this scene. ua-cam.com/video/_VseQe4TFsg/v-deo.html
Possibly the best American movie of the last ten years.
This movie was and is a modern classic. Masterpiece and art.
How did this movie not win all the Oscars. It is probably the finest example of filmmaking that I have ever seen.
He is one of the best actors who can perfectly convey full emotion, hidden feelings and at the same time not have a text.. Casey Affleck
Probably one of the most hauntingly genuine portrayals of the men who lived in those times. There was little regard for understanding back in those times. Parenting was about being beaten and hardened into a set of values that centered around discipline, faith, and very hard work in order to survive. Robert Ford, deeply unsatisfied with the life that he inhabits, sought for affection and nothing more than an understanding he was deprived of. It was the driving force behind his quest for glory.
It's crazy that this OP was written back before time had gone to hell. It's very weird reading it.
I'd say we need to go back and bring those values at the forefront. The chaos and degenracy of today is because of this tolerance and acceptance culture.
@@nasiransari9761 There was plenty of chaos, lawlessness, and degeneracy then too. That's why people opened saloons anywhere near a work camp of mostly men.
@@DarkFilmDirector Yes, both periods have degeneracy, but the point is today we almost completely lack the values of 'discipline, faith, and very hard work', and because of this this I would argue the degeneracy of today is orders of magnitude greater.
Also you can sympathize with Bob, but not excuse him as a mere 'victim' of lack of affection and understanding. With said 'discipline, faith, and very hard work' he could have had plenty of affection and understanding, through self-pride, community and family.
Instead Bob sought recognition falsely, and ended with self-contempt, alienation and loneliness. It's still tragic to watch, which is why the movie is so well done, but he did choose his fate.
And the moral is never meet your heroes, kids.
I can't stress enough how brilliant this film is. Everything about it is just perfect. No matter what mood I'm in, I start watching this film and I'm just taken away
Should have won an Oscar! This is my favorite movie by far. The music is great, the acting is terrific, the story is deep, the narration is perfect, the cinema photography is visually striking, and above all else... it's real.
This scene still sends chills through me. Truly the perfect ending for the perfect film.
I actually felt the beauty of the movie, from the scene, the narration, actors' charm and the story itself, specially the music. The movie deserves every compliments.
2007 was absolutely the best year for movies last decade
The best lesson of this film is about fame and how people are remembered....and how others are not remembered regardless of what they did in life.
Truly may be the greatest ending to any film, from one of the greatest films of all time--and so tragically, criminally under-seen and under-appreciated. This is art of a rare and high form
Love the playing cards scene they did in this. Jesse was the King and Robert Ford was the Jack. So small, yet so meaningful.
This film was beautiful. It's my favorite film at the moment.
Such a great movie. One of my favourites.
"Robert Ford, a gunman
Did exchange for his parole
Took the life of James the outlaw
Which he snuck up on and stole
No one knows just where they came to be misunderstood
But the poor Missouri farmers knew
Frank and Jesse do the best they could."
RIP Warren Zevon. What a Legend :):):):):)
orbison Warren Zevon? How does Warren Zevon play into this, or did you just wish to pass a complimentary comment on the great artist.?
Those were the lyrics to the song Frank & Jesse James by Warren Zevon.
The like/dislike ratio on this is by far one of the best I have seen on any UA-cam video, period. And rightfully so, I regard this as one the greatest (perhaps the greatest) cinematic scenes of all time.
Beautifully crafted movie. Fantastic cast and well produced...and for me Casey Affleck was mesmerising in his role of Bob Ford. Such a tragic story (for all concerned) A truly stunning film.
“My luck’s not very good as it is Marty. I don’t think an opal’s gonna change that much.”
From the scene where he's passing through the bar and then the last scene, you might notice the difference in sets. Bob Ford's saloon had burned down at that time, and he was forced to run a new saloon from a tent.
Wade it’s those small details that make this movie phenomenal. It’s so underrated.
@@SpaceTrucker91 I watch it about twice a year and I'm always blown away.
This movie is so amazing and beautiful that words cannot begin to describe it!!
I don't care what people say. This film is beautiful, a realistic way of portraying how the public viewed Jesse James after he was killed and how they despised Robert Ford for it even though Jesse James did nothing for them.
People say it's 'too long'. But it engages you in those 2 and a half hours and the time allows you to see a transformation within the characters' minds.
I love this film. One of my favorites of all time.
"...Robert Ford would only lay on the floor and look at the ceiling, the light going out of his eyes, before he could find the right words..."
a poignant masterpiece ... there are Robert Fords living and dying every day ...
Hello Bob,,,,the same line Billy the Kid used when he shot and killed Sheriff Bob Ollinger
Sad ending to a beautiful movie. Throughout the film Bob Ford really does come off as a coward, and you end up hating him, but then by the time this scene comes around you can't help but feel sorry for him.
Jessie wanted true friendship from Bob, and accepted death when he realized he could never have it.. In essence when Bob pulled the trigger, he not only killed Jessie, but a piece of himself, the only piece that was real, sealing his own fate to live the same vacant life as Jessie. A curse of sorts to be something the world views you to be, other then just a man with nothing.
On release from prison Edward O'kelly reutrn to a life of crime and got into a fight with an officer of the law who shot and killed him, His final resting place was marked "The man who shot the man who shot Jessie James", many years later the officer of the law died of old age and his finally resting place was marked "The man who shot the man who shot the man who shot Jesse james"
Real story lol
It's like poetry, it rhymes.
Would be cool if it were true. The officer died because of a stroke at the age of 49. His gravestone doesn't mention any killing.
Honestly, this movie, this ending, and this song....just......
Completely holds up. I haven't seen this film in many years but other than watching the full length feature quite a few times I must have definitely made repeat visits to this UA-cam video because I got like 95% of the dialogue as it was coming. The whole film is a masterpiece and the ending is (for my money) basically perfect, but the narration...it just stays with you. Very powerful.
I didn't even realise I actually can name the governor of Colorado in 1902, the year in which O'Kelly was released when James B Ormond would pardon the man....(also that he came up from Batchelor at 1pm on the 8th. I don't know what state, or even what it was the 8th of...but these lines are ingrained in the memory!)
For anyone wanting more, the book is a fantastic read and is where most of the script and heartbreaking narration comes from. I can only imagine that the 4 hour unreleased directors cut is the rest of the book set to Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' magnificent score (which was shamefully robbed of an Oscar by a stupid technicality)
The one in front of the gun lives forever
Man, this was just a solid movie from beginning right up until the ending. Very rarely does a movie give its viewers such a grim but peaceful closure. Well done
This will be my private place for greatness. All of you and this movie is awesome!
I love the background song!
A Song For Bob. That's the name of the song. Simply amazing.
At 58 I can count the number of film soundtracks I have purchased on one hand and have fingers left over. The soundtrack to Jesse James, by Nick Cave is one of them.
@@sfeigh Wowww crazy I hear that
Great cast, great acting, great music and great cinematography. One of the nost criminally underrated movie of all times.
@Scorberg How the hell can you not like the narration?! Dominik placed it perfectly, and it added SO much. Hugh Ross can narrate my life any time. ("He was living in the state of Maine then, wanting to smoke a cigar down in the evening, but refraining for health reasons . . . ") Seriously, this is one of the greatest movies of all time--the ending hits me hard in the heart and the head, as do many, many others. There aren't many films that make you both think and feel so much.
I love this film. What a thing of beauty! Bought the 2-disc edition DVD, never regretted it. Loaned it to my former flatmate, who thought it was gonna be boring but ended up loving it. He said he could relate to Bob Ford in some ways. Showed it to my sister, who also fell in love with this masterpiece. I'm in love with its lush soundtrack as well - love it so much, I could play a couple of the tracks on my violin.
Sensational prologue. Beautifully executed epilogue.
that movie man damn damn. it's powerful. it moves me like a sad song
It’s okay Bob you’re not a coward to me you can rest easy now 😢
Agree
this is like a long dark poem you'd want somebody to read for you while your dying.
There would be no eulogies for Bob, but one of the greatest movies ever made would be about him.
It said that a murderer like Jesse James can be a hero but a man like Robert ford who essentially did the world a favor is a villain but the fact that the film portrays both them as just men and nothing else is really quite amazing
This film, with it's intense music, the narration and that general vibe of despair and futility really tied a knot in my throat
I like this unhappy ending. Life is not easy
The only ending of a Western that has ever moved me to tears. Truly haunting, heartbreaking and unforgettable ending to a beautiful film. Now one of my ten favourite movies of all time.
Honestly, my favorite western. The emotional core is so genuine.
Must have watched this about 15 times already.
Simply outstanding, I can't believe this film is so underrated
I like that they portray Edward O Kelly for what he was. Dude was a psychopath that wanted attention. After being released he was arrested several times before being killed trying to murder a police officer. Not even for a reason. The cop said "good evening" and he responded by pulling a gun and trying to kill the dude.
Hello Bob. I know nothing about Jesse James, but IMO the movie portrays Jesse as knowing/wanting to be killed when he gets up on that chair to fix that picture. So I'm not sure how Robert Ford is branded a coward. It would also appear that the following years after Robert killed Jesse, he was doomed to live in his own personal hell.
It's beautiful. He deserve a Oscar. What a ending. I love this guy.
Robert did what he had to do Jesse was going to kill him.. Jesse was a ruthless person.. He's also a distant ancestor of mine.. The war took a toll on Jesse sanity..
Bob should not have boasted about killing Jessie, That's why Edward ended him.
One of the best endings I've ever seen
it's crazy how everything happens 10 year's after each other Jesse was killed in 1882 Robert Ford in 1892 and oKelly was out of jail on 1902
"That he truly regretted killing Jesse...
That he missed the man,as much as anybody..."
With theme song
Masterpiece
Love the line ""you can kill Jesse James but you can't be Jesse James"" line was perfect who ever write the screen play was brilliant in this imo it's slow but the acting from Brad and Casey with that screen play is beyond brilliant this movie is underrated asf imo
"Your'e wearing that stickpin again there, Bob. Opals are unlucky"
"Well it's not very good as it is Marty I don't think an Opals gonna change that much"
"I hear ya"
Priest 86 What are opals?
@@CresencioMedina Gemstones.
When Robert Ford says "Luck's quite bad as it is, Marty, I don't think Opal's really gonna change that much"
Did anyone else hear Marty reply "I hear ya" it's like 2 seconds later, and really quiet.
I guess you tend to pick up on things when you've seen this clip over 50 times...
One of the best narrations I've witnessed in film history.
Best ending of a film I have ever seen
Let's hear it for Edward Capehart O'Kelley, an American of Irish stock.
Just because you shot Jesse James, don't make you Jesse James.
I just couldn't believe how amazing the narrator was. One of the few perfect readings in film history.
this is, simply, utterly and completely, one of the best films ever created; it is also the first film of this decade to be truly worthy of the overused and otherwise meaningless work masterpiece.
Incredible. I could relate to Robert Ford...I felt like I understood him, I know that if I were in the same position I would have done the same thing... it seems like youre on an adventure with Jesse James but this film is never about that. You are on a journey with Robert Ford, and his transformation, and demise, were perfectly captured.
Brilliant
Was watching this online and the last few minutes cut out. I thought check youtube. This is perfect thanks for upload!
Great film. Casey Affleck is the acting talent in his family and what a brilliant performance in this film.
When I first saw this film, I was underwhelmed. Then after a second viewing (and a third), I thought it to be perhaps the greatest American film of the last decade. I really can't put my finger on it, but thanks for posting.
I found the ending to this movie to be something else. This is a very underrated film and with scenes like this in the movie it should have gotten more credit. People can say that it was too long or boring but they don't know what they're talking about because they never gave this film a fair chance.
Casey Affleck is sensational in this movie.
The narration in this movie is wonderful, but I would love to watch this clip without the narration. Just the images and the music. I imagine it would be even more haunting.
The BEST ending to a movie EVER. Truly the work of a genius, nothing less.
How is a film so perfect in ever way - casting, acting, cinematography, costume & set design (super authentic), narration, grounding, plot, pacing, direction, music - so massively overlooked?
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - proof that the Academy Awards are a sham.
This moving captures the emotions of all the characters in so much depth its amazing. The narration is the best I've ever seen. Cant say enough great things about this movie. Well done.
Très très beau et bon film 📽🖥🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎤🎻🎵🎶🎼avec de superbes acteurs 😘🦁j aime vraiment 🌎💖il faudrait qu'il passe sur Netflix 📽🖥🌎ce serait merveilleux 👍💫🤩
"THERE WOULD BE NO EULOGY FOR BOB" those words yell loudly about the story of Bob Ford while the myth and legend of the man he killed Jesse James grew he slipped into history as a footnote that reads "Bob Ford the man who killed Jesse James"
"Before he could find the right words."
Which, of course, there aren't any, and probably could never be, except from this book/movie.
Best film ever and it turns 10 this year.
The novel is amazing. The movie really does it justice
This movie is just....amazing, in all aspects, Brad is terrific (i think it's his best performance ever) and Cassey (Loved him on Ocean's saga) is just huge.
The whole movie is a western but with few shots, straight to the key thing of the entire experience: the drama. The sorrow and pain of the West, those hard times and bad times, when you needed to kill to not be killed.
We're all victims of fate, and this movie is just about this matter. Wonderful film.