I watched this film first time back in 2008 and rewatched it again now. There are no words to describe how good it is. This is when everything matches. Acting, cinematography, soundtrack, naration. It gives me shivers every time I watch it. I hope they will release the original extended cut that is over 4 hrs long.
An astounding film. Every scene is golden. The layers of meaning, the subtext, the narration, the acting, the themes and settings...just perfection. The scene when Jesse climbs atop the pile of timbers as the light of the train engine casts him in silhouette, highlighting the steam of the man's breath in the cold night air...just stunning. Affleck's acting blew me away. His performance in this film is maybe the best I've witnessed.
I saw the movie on cable and was blown away by it at the first viewing. The narration was brilliant, and I thought it was too good to just have been hurriedly added by a non-pro writer. When I saw in credits that the movie was based on the novel, I bought the novel on Amazon. Sure enough, the movie's narration was probably taken from the book. I am an author and a pro writer (big deal...) but I just loved this book and its author's writing and could not put it down. I think Casey Affleck should have gotten an Oscar for this film. Brad Pitt, also, was a genius in it. Thank you for doing this podcast. It is SO GOOD! I subscribed today. And thanks also for including Chris Wimmer's podcasts' names above. I was riveted throughout this entire podcast. I love learning of what the truth is and what is fictionalized in movies. "Truth is stranger than fiction" is an old adage I believe in, and I think if someone is going to make a movie based on a true event, they might as well get the facts right. I hope you do a ton of these types of podcasts! ❤
This is my all-time fav movie!!!!! The movie was based off of Ron Hansen’s early 1980’s book ( which is an all time great piece of literature). But I always wondered or assumed Hansen had to take much liberties in telling the Bob Ford and Jesse James saga. I mean I can see all these intimate details bring document.
Jesse was adjusting a mirror. It was placed at that odd height to reflect the front window's vantage point , which he could see from his chair. He felt something was up with Bob and his brother. He stepped up to adjust the mirror, to see how they looked at each other while his back was turned. His instincts were spot on, but he never expected them to shoot him right then and there...he was trying to keep his enemies close. That's why he allowed them to be at his house. He would never have let himself be harmed in front of his wife and kids. He wouldn't have been able to protect them from the brothers. They were witnesses to a crime. So, the suicidal theory is absolutely ridiculous.
Thanks for pointing this out. It was set at UA-cam's defaults so I was unaware of how many ads were placed in the video, but thanks to your comment I've gone in and removed most of them. Cheers!
Hello! We have an episode on Loving Vincent here: www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/135-loving-vincent/ You may also be interested in this episode about At Eternity’s Gate with Van Gogh’s biographer Steven Naifeh: www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/193-at-eternitys-gate-with-steven-naifeh/
I provided the title and worked on the story for this film. It's a bit odd since I am unfamiliar with the gang's actual history. I used my own brother's adolescent delinquent behavior in my childhood for James' paranoia. I had no access to screenings and do not know the actors, just the writer/s of the script. I don't even remember anybody's name with whom I created the film. Other Brad Pitt films stories that I've worked on are Ad Astra, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Inglorious Basterds, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Seven, World War Z, Fury, The Mexican, Troy, and Meet Joe Black, so far as I can remember. I worked for free and considered my participation a privilege because filming Star Wars was my idea after I invented The Force, The Jedi, and The Pirate Code. I'd had a contract with Spielberg for our first 10 films that my father collected. My only screen credit is in E.T. where my name appears on Elliot's doodles during the film, top left. I made up the traveling stage reenactments near the end of the film out of whole cloth, or so I thought. The coward's clingy hero worship was also my idea and the gun gift, I think.
I watched this film first time back in 2008 and rewatched it again now. There are no words to describe how good it is. This is when everything matches. Acting, cinematography, soundtrack, naration. It gives me shivers every time I watch it. I hope they will release the original extended cut that is over 4 hrs long.
An astounding film. Every scene is golden. The layers of meaning, the subtext, the narration, the acting, the themes and settings...just perfection.
The scene when Jesse climbs atop the pile of timbers as the light of the train engine casts him in silhouette, highlighting the steam of the man's breath in the cold night air...just stunning.
Affleck's acting blew me away. His performance in this film is maybe the best I've witnessed.
A brilliant film. Criterion needs to get that long version and release it. Although Brad Pitt says the theatrical version is perfect as it is.
I saw the movie on cable and was blown away by it at the first viewing. The narration was brilliant, and I thought it was too good to just have been hurriedly added by a non-pro writer. When I saw in credits that the movie was based on the novel, I bought the novel on Amazon. Sure enough, the movie's narration was probably taken from the book. I am an author and a pro writer (big deal...) but I just loved this book and its author's writing and could not put it down. I think Casey Affleck should have gotten an Oscar for this film. Brad Pitt, also, was a genius in it. Thank you for doing this podcast. It is SO GOOD! I subscribed today. And thanks also for including Chris Wimmer's podcasts' names above. I was riveted throughout this entire podcast. I love learning of what the truth is and what is fictionalized in movies. "Truth is stranger than fiction" is an old adage I believe in, and I think if someone is going to make a movie based on a true event, they might as well get the facts right. I hope you do a ton of these types of podcasts! ❤
I watch the movie whenever its on.
I really enjoy your work, sir. Its wonderful to listen to your deep dives into various history on celluloid.
This is my all-time fav movie!!!!! The movie was based off of Ron Hansen’s early 1980’s book ( which is an all time great piece of literature). But I always wondered or assumed Hansen had to take much liberties in telling the Bob Ford and Jesse James saga. I mean I can see all these intimate details bring document.
Jesse was adjusting a mirror. It was placed at that odd height to reflect the front window's vantage point , which he could see from his chair. He felt something was up with Bob and his brother. He stepped up to adjust the mirror, to see how they looked at each other while his back was turned. His instincts were spot on, but he never expected them to shoot him right then and there...he was trying to keep his enemies close. That's why he allowed them to be at his house.
He would never have let himself be harmed in front of his wife and kids. He wouldn't have been able to protect them from the brothers. They were witnesses to a crime. So, the suicidal theory is absolutely ridiculous.
I really liked this movie. It seemed to fill in a lot of blanks in the saga of the James gang
Jesse James was related to Zee on the James side. Zee's mother was Jesse's father's sister. Wood Hite was also related on the James side.
Congratulations on having the most ads for an hour long podcast, good gravy
Thanks for pointing this out. It was set at UA-cam's defaults so I was unaware of how many ads were placed in the video, but thanks to your comment I've gone in and removed most of them. Cheers!
Can you please do an episode on the movie “Loving Vincent”?
Hello! We have an episode on Loving Vincent here: www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/135-loving-vincent/
You may also be interested in this episode about At Eternity’s Gate with Van Gogh’s biographer Steven Naifeh: www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/193-at-eternitys-gate-with-steven-naifeh/
Awesome, thanks!!
I provided the title and worked on the story for this film. It's a bit odd since I am unfamiliar with the gang's actual history. I used my own brother's adolescent delinquent behavior in my childhood for James' paranoia. I had no access to screenings and do not know the actors, just the writer/s of the script. I don't even remember anybody's name with whom I created the film. Other Brad Pitt films stories that I've worked on are Ad Astra, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Inglorious Basterds, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Seven, World War Z, Fury, The Mexican, Troy, and Meet Joe Black, so far as I can remember. I worked for free and considered my participation a privilege because filming Star Wars was my idea after I invented The Force, The Jedi, and The Pirate Code. I'd had a contract with Spielberg for our first 10 films that my father collected. My only screen credit is in E.T. where my name appears on Elliot's doodles during the film, top left. I made up the traveling stage reenactments near the end of the film out of whole cloth, or so I thought. The coward's clingy hero worship was also my idea and the gun gift, I think.